
OMG...another Bloom Day! Here in Portland, we're paying for our mild Summer last year...as we're having a run of HOT weather...too hot for me! We broke a a record a week or so ago when we hit 102°...ouch! It looks like this week (tomorrow or Friday) we may hit triple-digit temps again. I know our weather is still comparatively mild compared to what most of the country has been suffering...but it's still pretty awful.
In any case, in spite of the scorching heat, the garden actually looks pretty good. I find that August is that odd time of year when I really don't have to do much except water occasionally and stake a few plants that have been blown over by the wind (which also seems to be a by-product of the heat). August is that odd tipping-point in my garden where things start to almost get out of control. It's not totally unfair to admit it's a bit of a hot mess. Still, that's what I love about the late-summer, early-autumn garden...that feeling that the garden is on it's own course, regardless of what my own intentions might be!

Agastache 'Blue Blazes'
This gorgeous plant is actually in the front parking strip (which I really will do a full post on someday). It's so small and cute right now...but having seen how big they can get here in Portland (2' taller AND broader than what they are listed as reaching). I anticipate having to move at least one of the plants (right now there are 3 in this bed)...otherwise, they will swallow up the entire bed! Hopefully I can find another Portland gardener next spring who is willing to take it. Even then, I really will have to be better about cutting them back in mid-spring to keep them more compact.

Lilium 'Black Beauty'
The bloom time of Lilies is always longer than I think it is (a good month or so), but still seems far too short. I was sure they would crisp up during our heatwave, but actually seemed no worse for wear.

Monarda bradburiana
This is a smaller and more demure Monarda than most...very lovely.
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Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' | Dicentra macrocarpanos |

Agastache 'Black Adder'
Another tough plant, the Agastaches absolutely love this weather...they show absolutely no sign of heat stress, and if anything, are reveling in the heat.

Knautia macedonica
One of my favorite plants, I love how vibrantly-colored its flowers are...and how airy the plant is. Even though these are a good 4' or so tall, they are not bulky, so they thread their long, wiry stems through any plant nearby, creating wonderful effects. I should probably dead-head them, but I really like the spent seedheads.
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Teucrium hircanicum | Persicaria 'Inverleith & Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' |

Lilium lancifolium (Tiger Lily)
Another Lily that has only a few blooms left, it seems like it would be more fitting as an Autumn flower...still, I love it, all the same.

Sedum 'Vera Jameson'
One of my new Sedums this year, I'm loving it's wonderful foliage and flowers.

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus', Agastache 'Blue Blazes', Sedum 'Matrona'
This is another peek at the plants in the front parking strip...which have amazed me with their rapid growth this yeaer.
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Rudbeckia triloba | Sedum 'Matrona, Agastache 'Black Adder' & Agastache 'Blue Boa' |

Salvia 'Purple Rain'
This Salvia has been extra vigorous this year...and I've been loving those rich purple spikes for months.

Knautia 'Melton Pastels'
Another Knautia...the seed-raised strain 'Melton Pastels', which shows a really nice variety of colors in the blooms. I have 6 or 7 of these in the front parking strip, and it's been interesting seeing the variation.
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Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' | Eutrochium 'Little Joe' & Persicaria polymorpha |

Eryngium yuccifolium
Technically, these flowers are spent...but I still think they can squeak in as blooms.

Persicaria 'Golden Arrow' & Panicum 'Shenandoah'
This wonderful Persicaria has exceeded all my expectations. The foliage is amazing all spring and summer...so when the blooms arrive, they really are icing on the cake. I wish the foliage didn't scorch quite so easily...I have to be very careful where I site this one.
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Cosmos astrosanguineus | Crocosmis 'Oreangeade' |

Geranium 'Ann Folkard' & Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes'
This wonderful Geranium really doesn't like heat, and starts to slow down its flowering a bit, but still grows like a weed. I'm always finding it in odd places. This week, I noticed it had started climbing up into my Sumac. Still, I can't complain about the combination.

Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
Another trademark summer bloom, the Black-Eyed Susan. I know they are common as dirt, but I love them...and love how easy they are to grow. They are so cheerful and honest...and since so much of my garden is cool in tone...they are a nice counterpoint.
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Clematis tibetana | Anemone 'September Charm' |

Eutrochium 'Gateway'
My Eutrochium (Joe Pye Weed) have been blooming for a few weeks now, and the bees could not be more ecstatic. They sleep on the blooms, wake up, feed, and go back to sleep.

Eutrochium 'Gateway', Geranium 'Rozanne' & Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
This shot pretty much sums up the wonderful bounty of the late-summer garden. I love how everything is so big, full and vibrant. At any time during the day, I can wander out and be surrounded by the thrum of thousands of bees.
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Agastache 'Ava' | Lilium 'Black Beauty' |

Selinum wallichianum
I've been so pleased with this plant. I wasn't sure how it would fare in the parking strip, and to be honest, it's one of the few plants in the parking strip that I regularly water. As lovely as the blooms are, I love those wonderful purple stems even more. Not only is the color awesome...but the bizarre branching structure is fascinating.

Lilium 'Silver Scheherezade'
The last of my Lilies this year...sort of buried in the backyard. I'll have to do some serious editing/pruning next year to keep things under control!
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Sedum 'Red Cauli' | Agastache 'Desert Sunrise' |

Echinops bannaticus
This Globe Thistle is a fabulous plant...and bees adore it. I have a little patch of them that is gradually increasing.

Persicaria 'Firetail'
Although I sort of resent the big, coarse foliage of this plant early in the year (it really does look a bit weedy), I absolutely adore it once it starts blooming. Those scarlet tapers will go from June until frost...and are the perfect compliment to the blue-purple of Geranium 'Rozanne'.

Agastache 'Purple Haze'
This Agastache is a great plant...very upright and compact...and with lovely, subtle coloring.
Ok, so now it's time for the wide shots!

North (Side) Border from the East

East (Front) Border from the North

East (Front) Border from the South

Backyard Garden

North (Side) Border from the West
I hope you enjoyed your little tour of my garden right now, for more Bloom Day posts, visit Carol at May Dreams Garden!
Your backyard garden looks like it's being overtaken by plants. It's filled in well in such a short period of time. I love the Teucrium and how sculptural it is. I wish my agastaches were doing as well yours. I might cut my blue blazes back, too next spring. It was a little leggy this year. Beautiful photos as always!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha....well, that's pretty close to the truth, isn't it! I agree about the Teucrium...it's very structural...and yes, I need to cut back my 'Blue Blazes' for certain next year!
DeleteSo many flowers...it really is amazing! (and I can't wait for the official tour!). Speaking of you better watch me cuz I might just tear your Clematis tibetana from the ground and run for it. Or I guess I could just beg the good folks at Cistus to sell me another.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha...I'll be keeping an eye out for you, then ;-)
DeleteBeautiful garden. I don't know of a better word. Marvelous...I've lost my adjectiveness.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha...then my job is done :-)
DeleteYep, a hot mess is a good description for the August garden. I got frustrated recently and started ripping stuff out and cutting it back mercilessly. Your wide shots look really lovely.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though! I hope you left a little left for this fall...I know how you feel, though, at some point it just needs to go!
Delete102!! There's goes my plan to move to Portland to avoid the heat. ;^) As always, your images are just stunning. Your garden is just brimming with color (you have lucky neighbors). I really admire the Geranium 'Ann Folkard'/Rhus combo and the Persicarias are making me think of where I can stuff some in. I've discovered this summer that 'Black Beauty' lily is very drought and heat tolerant. Unfortunately, it bloomed early this year here.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha...I know...it was crazy-hot that week! Luckily, we've returned to our typical, pleasant summer weather :-) I was surprised by 'Black Beauty' as well...she's one tough cookie!
DeleteScott, your Rozanne is magnificant! I love all of the Agastache you are able to grow and I think you have chosen many of the right plants to withstand the heat. We all know now that heat is different than sun. Our weather has cooled off a bit and I am assessing what I will grow in the future. We have not been this hot consistently so many of the plants I love may not be part of my garden in the future.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It really seems over the past few years that we all are going to have to re-assess what plants we can have in our gardens, doesn't it, Eileen? It's really quite scary.
DeleteI really must try some of these, like 'Black Adder', the Knautia, and 'Purple Rain'. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely give them a try...I'll try to collect seed from the Knautia for you this year...they are supposed to be easy to grow from seed.
DeleteWOw, look at you with all this color while so many of us are suffering a mid-August lull! So much inspiration to be found on your site!
ReplyDeleteLove the September Charm anemone!
PS--Summer without echinacea is very sad, indeed. I have one, but the woodchucks adore it. They allowed it to bloom once, about 4 years ago. The plant is determined--it comes back every single year, without fail!
DeleteThanks for the kind words, Kimberly...I was pretty bummed about the whole thing...but I'm recovered now :-)
DeleteScott, you need a larger yard. As I scrolled down I kept thinking that this was an amazing amount of plant material in your yard/garden. Just breathtaking. I was talking with my husband about my second killing of the Tiger Eyes...telling him I really wanted one, but still need to figure out where to plant it before I spend more money. Seeing yours just confirms my desire!!!
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips to God's ears, Janet!!! I really love my 'Tiger Eyes', but they seem quite a bit more particular than the usual Sumacs, don't they? Mine really sulked for the first 2 years...and I was sure it was going to die!
DeleteGadzooks! You really know how to build us up for a garden visit. I love your observation that the garden is "on its own course'.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha...I tried...and hopefully it wasn't a let-down ;-)
DeleteDAYAM. I can't wait to see this is person!
ReplyDeleteSome day, Heather, some day!
DeleteWe like a lot of the same plants - Agastache, Rudbeckia, Joe Pye ... The lilies here have been done for a while. I love how you've gotten the grasses and forbs to blend together, I need to work on that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jason! I'm still working on really incorporating those grasses in a way that feel "natural"...it's definitely a work in progress :-)
DeleteWow, every time I visit here, Scott, I think how can he top that post--but you always do! With your garden, your posts, and your photography. 102 in Portland is crazy! I'm so glad we're done with that stuff (at least I hope so) for this season.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much...glad I've risen to the occasion ;-) Yes, I really hope we don't have any more temps like that this year (or EVER, really)!
DeleteWow, that is one great garden full of colour and joy! I enjoyed every last pic, even smiling while typing. Great visit for me! Thanks. LT
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...yay! Glad you enjoyed your visit, LT!
DeleteI'm still hankering for your Teucrium, and all those agastaches. We have one tiny agastache just coming into bloom, I hope to add more next year. Our rudbeckias are only just starting to flower so didn't make it into my bloom day post: yours are romping away already. Glorious.
ReplyDeleteIf it's hardy in your area, you really should try the Teucrium...it's VERY tough...and a great plant!
DeleteReally love all you have blooming now. You have some of the best perennials out there. Still love the Persicaria and the Joe Pye Weed and Agastache is looking beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I agree, Cher...those plants, in particular, are really looking their best right now!
DeleteHi Scott,
ReplyDeleteAs always; such an amazing garden, so awe-inspriing and gorgeous. I wish I could just sit and stare at it all day. I too love seeing, watching and hearing the Bees and Hoverflies going about their business, and then now the Butterflies have arrived I get to sit and watch them flit around the garden, fighting, feeding, sunbathing.
I love summer - and this is such an odd thing for me to say as I've always been a Spring person; nothing can quite beat watching wildlife enjoy the garden as much as we do.
I couldn't agree more, gwirrel, I just love walking around, soaking in the sights and sounds of summer (as long as I don't have to break into a sweat while doing it)! I love that feeling of contentment, knowing the bees are humming happily away in the garden :-)
DeleteYour garden is looking beautiful! Such a lush combination of colors and textures. Every time I visit here my eye is caught by that Knautia; I really need to write this down and remember to try some next year. And, of course, your agastache is one of my favorites; you have so many lovely specimens of it.
ReplyDelete100 degrees in Portland?? I know that is unusual for your area; your garden looks amazing in spite of the brutal heat.
Thanks, Rose...you really should try the Knautia...you can even grow it from seed...it's a tough and long-blooming plant!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful. You pack a lot of information as well as plants into your posts. Invaluable as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan...I do try to give useful information...even though I tend to ramble on occasion ;-)
DeleteBeautiful!! I MUST buy some agastache. Now...where to put them??
ReplyDeleteAhhh...that's the tricky part isn't it...the WHERE!?!?
DeleteYour garden and photographs are always gorgeous! The golden light in some of your images like the tiger lily or the persicaria, grass in the background turned gold by the sun, is simply delicious! This makes me want to chop down some trees and rethink my parking strips!
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha...whoa there! I have to admit, I really would love a bit more sun too...and if I ever move, I have to be EXTRA sure that my garden will get the benefit of morning and evening light...there is nothing quite so magical, in my opinion.
DeleteYou have so many blooms this time of year. It is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phillip...I do try ;-)
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Just love you color combinations, the plants and your pictures are so good. I'd love to have one of your Agastache 'Blue Blazes' next spring. I left behind my gardens in June in GA and hope to buy a house next spring. I've living vicariously thru your blog and just love it! I didn't have too much blooming by August down there.
ReplyDeleteOMG...I hope you get settled into your new house soon and can get some 'Blue Blazes'...they are wonderful!!! Where are you looking to buy???
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Thanks so much!
DeleteThe garden is very beautiful at this time of year. Your images are very beautiful as well, many with with soft DOF. I just read your post on the the Echinacea. So sad. Wonder if your across the street neighbors did it so they could see you out wit the camera for the aftermath. It would happen like that here in the city.
ReplyDeleteThanks...and yes, I was pretty upset about the Echinacea...sigh. As you said, in the city, that sort of thing is bound to happen sometimes :-(
DeleteYour gardens are beautiful as always and especially the north side borders are outstanding....so full of color and love the combinations. It's such a pleasure to visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee...I agree, the North Border always seems particularly effective, for some reason :-)
DeleteSuch abundance, and with a very talented photographer to record it! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAwwww...thanks so much!
Deletethis garden is very beautiful. your photos are too beautiful.this is nice . there all the information those we need all. and your photographer is very talented.i like it. thnk you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Umesh...so glad you enjoyed it!
Delete"August is that odd tipping-point in my garden where things start to almost get out of control. It's not totally unfair to admit it's a bit of a hot mess."
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow blogger, I hate to admit it, but this is how my garden is at most times. I have great intentions, but only have so much time and budget. I am finally starting to notice some real progress in my landscaping, but unfortunately that just seems to highlight the areas that are fending for themselves.
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Great combination. A wonderful August showing (despite the heat wave) and wonderful photography. Great how you use DOF to highlight the blooms.
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