Bloom Day September 2013!

Well, folks, here we are again...the midpoint of yet another month...and the last few days have finally started to feel like Autumn is nearly upon us at last! While the garden isn't as overwhelmingly floriferous as it was during the past few months, it's entering my favorite time year...abundance tempered with the beginning of decay. While the garden is still full of exuberance, there is a hint of melancholy now as end of the growing season is in sight.


Purple and gold are the harbingers of Autumn, it seems. Here we have two wonderful re-seeders, Verbena bonariensis against a background of Rudbeckia triloba.


I'm not sure why I never planted Solidago until this year...and, happily, this plant was a gift from a friend.

I must have moved this poor Vernonia (Vernonia missurica) at least 5 times this spring...just not sure where to put it. I'll have to remember to stake it earlier next year to keep it from flopping...still, it looks nice mingling with Impatiens balfourii. Another happy pairing, on the right, Salvia 'Amistad' and a mytsery Aster I got from Matthew at the spring plant exchange. Love it!


New in my garden this year is a new Vernonia from Intrinsic Perennials, called 'Southern Cross'. It is much shorter, but has those same intensely purple flowers. An added benefit is that the foliage is much finer, very reminiscent of an Amsonia...and, so far, no flopping :-)


The Knautia just keeps on a going...much to the delight of the bees!


Another bee magnet, Sedum 'Matrona'


You don't believe me about the bees...see for yourself!

There is always a lull in the bloom of Persicaria 'Firetail' right now...as soon as the rains start up again, they seem to puff up and start blooming like crazy again. The Echinops keeps sending up a few blooms here and there, even as it sets seed.


Of course, it wouldn't be a bloom day post here on Rhone Street without a few Agastaches, would it? Here we have 'Purple Haze'.


Here is Agastache 'Liquorice Candy', which has really proven itself this summer...blooming nonstop for months and months.


One of my favorite Agastaches, 'Blue Blazes'. The flowers are starting to lessen now, but the thick, colorful blooms still draw my eye.


This Agastache ('Globetrotter') was the only plant I bought during the Fling in San Francisco this spring...it's hard to believe it's already been almost 3 months since then!


Agastache 'Desert Sunrise' is another great workhorse plant...just pumping out the blooms endlessly!


While the color has long since faded from the blooms of Agastache 'Golden Jubilee', the spires are still very attractive (at least to me). They are so architectural, and catch the light so nicely, especially paired with Muhlenbergia rigens.


If you visit Portland during Autumn, you are likely to be amazed at the huge Japanese Anemones in almost every yard. Here, we have 'Honorine Jobert'.


While most of the Echinacea have started fading into various shades of parchment, these few that I planted earlier this year are still holding color...all the better to catch the last rays at sunset.


Clematis tibetana has grown to monstrous proportions this year...but the blooming seems much lighter than last year...hmmm.

Rudebckia triloba is one of those classic garden plants that I can't imagine not having...it pops up in the perfect spots every year (even if not where I would have put them) and grows and blooms without any help from me...gotta love that!


Another stalwart, the beautiful Geranium 'Rozanne'.


I like her even better when she flirts coquettishly with the fading Rudbeckias...whose blooms start to look a bit like a wilted ballerina's tutu.

One of my favorite Persicarias, 'Golden Arrow', has beautiful foliage and a seemingly never-ending supply of blooms...if only I could find a spot where the leaves didn't scorch...but that it still got enough light to thrive. The Selinum have taken a beating during our recent rain showers...but they are still elegant.


I realize suddenly that there are a few things I left out...but there's always next month (probably)! Here we have the North Border looking east.


Heres a vantage I don't usually show...from across the street on the North side of the house.


Here's the backyard in all its wild and wooly glory.


Here's the front garden from the South.


And again, form the North.


Joing Boots and I as we enjoy this late summer/early autumn sunset...and join Carol at May Dreams Garden for more Bloom Day posts! I hope you're enjoying this amazing time of year...and that the weather is cooperating, wherever you are :-)