Saturday, August 18, 2012

Sonic Blooms

Welcome to the happy home of a certified flower freak. [That would be me.]
John Cabot Roses: She blooms ALL summer long and will still be budding with the first snow fall.
Feel like taking a walk through the garden? Fair warning ~ it's gonna be a long virtual hike. You'll need to scroll waaaay down south to reach the end of this particular post. Here's hoping you don't get lost along the way.

Wild Coneflowers: from seeds collected on the South Dakota prairie.
I was inspired to do this after a long overdue chat with my oldest and dearest friend, Hazel. She's coming out to visit me at the end of September. When most of these beauties will be long gone.

It's a shame, really, that we can't ever schedule a visit when the joint is alive with color.

The month of August is my time to shine ~ Perky little posies popping out all over the place. And, I find that I spend every waking moment out there, enjoying the view.

Such uniform Daisies. Not sure how I managed that one.
I've always had a soft spot for Shasta Daisies. Makes me sad when they're done blooming so I grow 3 different types to keep up the flower power, all summer long. [Alaska, Snowcap, and Miss Muffet.) Tip: Plant by seed vs. purchasing the gallon-size perennials. They suffer mightily when root bound. They grow taller and happier when they can wiggle their toes.

Shell Pink Dianthus always makes me think of my friend, Bev.
A total stranger, shopping in Homer Depot, turned me onto Dianthus ~ such frilly little things. I was drooling over her purchases when she educated me that in spite of the fact that they're sold as annuals, they're hearty perennials up here in the mountains.
 
Phlox
Right about the time the Catmint and Dame's Rocket lay down to die, Phlox and Helianthus pick up the slack...

Helianthus, perennial sunflower

Peppermint Phlox is one of the cutest little August bloomers in the garden. See the copyright on this photo? I've taken to doing that when I post them on Pinterest. I bitched for a solid year about Pinterest because everyone was stealing my flower photography and posting them on Pinterest, claiming those pics were theirs.

An exasperated friend finally threw up his hands and said why don't you just put a circle c on those photographs and join in the fun? Well, that's an awfully well-balanced attitude. Why can't I just be pissy and complain?

Miniature Hollyhocks
I finally agreed that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And, I do love Pinterest. Though nobody seems to love me. I think I've got 5 whole followers over there. But, it's still loads of fun.


This is the great big mystery bush, adorning the street garden. It's an absolute magnet for bees and butterflies. And, I haven't a clue what it is...


Phlox and Russian Sage peek out from beneath a Prairie Fire Crab Apple tree. Several master gardener friends gave me a hard time for planting 3 trees so close together but I think it's good to know your limitations.

Since I'm supremely talented at killing young trees I hedge my bets by planting 3 at time ~ in the high hopes one survives.


Tick... tock... Russian Sage has the unhappy job of being an alarm clock for the season.

I adore the fragrance and the soft, velvety feel of it's blossoms. But, once it begins to flower I know my gardening days are numbered. Autumn is on it's way.


Ornamental Sweet Pea vines have the run of the front porch.


Fuchsia Yarrow is a big, fat bully, bordering on weed status. I dig up half of it every year but no amount of murderous activity slows her down.

And, last, but not least, one perky little Zinnia sharing a container with Mexican Sunflowers and Golden Marguerite.

Do you fertilize your gardens? I probably should, but I don't. Those Bloom Booster fertilizers are too expensive!

Save a dime by purchasing a bag of rock phosphate instead. It's organic (Miracle Grow is not) and your flowers will love you for it. Toss them a few banana peels, too.

Natural forms of phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) are fairly easy to come by ~ those are the goodies that boost your flower power.

If you made it to the bottom of this extra long post, I thank you kindly for stopping by.

Follow Me on Pinterest

11 comments:

GRACE PETERSON said...

I'm following you on Pinterest now!!

I decided about a year ago (after I a really irate person got on my case and made an ass out of himself for pinning one of his photos) that I wasn't going to sweat it if people wanted to use mine. They all link back to my blog anyway and the whole purpose of my posting them was to inspire people.

Your garden is loaded with flowers. I must find me some of that Peppermint Phlox! Did you intend to call it "Homer" Depot? I might have to borrow that term. :)

I know what you mean about relishing every day. Before we know it all our lovely flowers will be toast. It hurts to think about it so I won't. I'll just be happy that today the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are all abuzz. Life is good.

GRACE PETERSON said...

I'm following you on Pinterest now!!

I decided about a year ago (after I a really irate person got on my case and made an ass out of himself for pinning one of his photos) that I wasn't going to sweat it if people wanted to use mine. They all link back to my blog anyway and the whole purpose of my posting them was to inspire people.

Your garden is loaded with flowers. I must find me some of that Peppermint Phlox! Did you intend to call it "Homer" Depot? I might have to borrow that term. :)

I know what you mean about relishing every day. Before we know it all our lovely flowers will be toast. It hurts to think about it so I won't. I'll just be happy that today the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are all abuzz. Life is good.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Almost forgot: I can't tell you what that mystery shrub is but I like it.

Liz said...

The shrub looks to be a very lovely fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium). Loved the flowers!

Anonymous said...

took me a while, but a marvelous stroll. love the white mystery bush. I asked a friend about it. And your wild south Dakota prairie Coneflowers are magnificent. I do the same thing here in northern New Mexico at 8000 ft. Collecting and scattering wild seed is very very addicting.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
cheyannesexton.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

I think the white mystery bush is not fern bush but fern leaf spirea - fern bush flowers usually grow in a cone shape whereas spirea's bloom in clusters...does this fit the shape of the flowers?

Alison said...

Loved this great look at your flowers! So pretty!

The Redneck Rosarian said...

Great post. Love the John Cabot roses and the coneflowers.!

Janie said...

What a lovely walk. You have amazing variety in your garden.

Ambius said...

Your garden is absolutely stunning at the moment - I can understand why you wanted to do the walk through. I too have a soft spot for daises, though I will be finding myself some Peppermint Phlox!

Simon @Ambius

Marguerite said...

Great idea to take a walk and appreciate all those beautiful blooms while they are showing their faces. Hubby tells me fall is in the air here, I don't believe him quite yet but I know it's coming. I should take a few photos myself.