Garden Year in Review

Dianthus - name unknown

I spent this past weekend cutting down the garden. I would have done so sooner except for the rain, our Florida vacation, rain, lots of other stuff to do and the rain. Putting the garden "to bed" pretty much signifies the end of the garden season for this year. Today the high was 5C and it's going down to -2C overnight (that's 41F and 28F respectively). It's darn chilly out there now, which isn't conducive to spending many pleasurable hours in the garden.
This past year I have started following a lot of garden blogs and besides having made many new "virtual" friends, have also learned to be more attentive to how I take garden photos. Many of their blogs and photos are so outstanding, they should be winning awards!! But I just observe and attempt to imitate.
So as a finale to autumn 2012, I would like to present 15 of the pictures I am most proud of.

Peony - a gift (therefore, name unknown)

Red trillium

Daffodil 'Tahiti'

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

Autumn crocus - Colchicum autumnale

Violets - name unknown

Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart - Dicentra spectabilis

Parrot tulips - a gift - name unknown (maybe 'Starfighter?')

Clematis probably 'Multiblue' seen on a garden tour

A vase of Ladies Mantle, Coral bells, Euonymus, Stachys byzantium, and Columbine

Climbing Rose - New Dawn

Petunias and Browallia

Pink Gerbera daisies

Polyantha rose 'The Fairy'

Pin Oak - Quercus palustris

August 15 - Garden Blogger's Bloom Day

Every gardener and every garden blogger has lamented this summer's high temperatures and lack of rain. I certainly have! But despite these 2 major setbacks, the flowers carry on, brave souls!!

So here's what's blooming in my garden on August 15th Garden Blogger's Bloom Day:

Asiatic lily 'Strawberry and Cream'

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Daylily 'Mateus'

Cream coloured shrub rose (blooming for a second time around)

Beautiful wine-coloured Scabiosa that I grew from seed. Since the package was labelled Imperial Giants Mixed, most are a pale mauve but one bloomed this fabulous burgundy colour.

Anise hyssop

White phlox

The oakleaf hydrangea is already turning from pink to bronze

2 different colours of self-seeding Sweet Pea

Coral bells are blooming for a second time…..

….as is the 'Anthony Waterer' Spirea.

Last but not least is the Morning Glory on the back fence.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Gardens http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

Gardeners post images of what's blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. All are welcome to participate.