Garden Blogger's Bloom Day August 2013

Summer 2013 has certainly had every type of weather! Environment Canada promised that there would be no drought like last summer but we have gone a number of times without rain for 2 1/2 weeks. Every day a promise of thundershowers but very rarely did they happen. There was severe flooding in one thunderstorm (especially in Toronto) but not here in Burlington. Now we have had a really chilly snap (overnight temps of 13C) but a promise of high heat and humidity for the weekend. Maybe this is the "new normal".

Regardless, some flowers are still blooming in my garden. Many are at their peak and quite beautiful. Please take a look.

The Oakleaf hydrangea bush at the front door is full of pink blooms

The Lisianthus are blooming strong

The white phlox are open and very fragrant

The blackcurrant bushes are full of berries

The Sweet Williams are re-blooming 

Agastache foeniculum, commonly called anise hyssop, is a species of perennial plant in the mint family. Very Bee-friendly.

My balloon flower has had more blossoms than ever this year. 3 weeks and still blooming. 

Achillea 'Coronation Gold' is always bent over, reaching for the sun

Most of the hosta flowers are gone but the smaller blue hostas are still in flower

I'm not sure if this is Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' or 'Zagreb' but it's a dainty little pop of yellow

A few blossoms are left on the Rose of Sharon

The Explorer Rose 'John Cabot' rarely re-blooms but it's doing it now :)

Here's the star of the show: Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm')

And at the side of the house, the self-seeding Sweet Peas are all over the fence

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Garden

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

Also, please check out my recipe blog Astrid's Home - the latest post is Zucchini and Summer Squash Gratin with Parmesan and fresh Thyme

Eustoma - common name: Lisianthus

My father is wonderful at growing plants from seed and under lights. One year he brought me a plant I had never heard of: Lisianthus (pronounced lizzie-ANN-thus).

What a beauty!! It looks like a rose and lasts for weeks as a cut flower.

The true name of Lisianthus is Eustoma, and it is a genus of the Gentianaceae family. It is commonly found on the American Prairie and in the Southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and northern South America.
Here it is grown and planted as an annual, growing 18-24" tall. Often, there are many blooms on a single stem. I do stake them because they will bend in bad storms.

Lisianthus come in a variety of colours. This year I have a mauve-blue, white and bi-colour.

Lisianthus can be challenging to grow. As I said, my Dad grows them from seed but they must be started very early, not just several weeks before planting. The seeds are tiny and therefore hard to see. But he has been successful year after year and they are now a staple in mine and his garden.

They enjoy being planted in rich fertile soil. They like moist soil but dislike being over-watered. They tolerate drought very well.

Other common names include Prairie Rose, Texas Bluebell and Prairie Gentian.

If you feel that trying to grow them from seed would be too frustrating and time-consuming, look for some started plants at your local nursery next spring. They truly are a satisfying, beautiful annual to have in your garden and in vases within your home.

Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake and Jamaican Jerk Burgers with Citrus Coleslaw are featured on my food blog. Please visit Astrid's Home.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day July 2013

Lisianthus

Some lovely plants are in bloom today although my garden is in a transitory state at the moment - much of the lush gorgeous June blooms have faded but the next set of deep summer blooms have yet to appear.

Having said that, please take a look at some the pretty ones that are showing off today:

The Oak Leaf Hydrangea at the front door is in full bloom

Climbing rose 'New Dawn' is producing abundant blooms

New red shrub rose is blooming nicely in light shade

The white shrub rose by the deck has its lovely apricot buds and white blossoms

Chinese Astilbe has deep fuchsia flowers that appear "fuzzy"

A number of snowball hydrangeas are in bloom

The daylilies are scrumptious!! All kinds of gorgeous hues and colours.

Most of my hostas, small and large, are in bloom. One is fabulously fragrant.

This delightful dainty Clematis is still clambouring all through the pussywillow branches

The first Rudbeckias opened today - good timing!

Daisies are everywhere

 I know it's a weed but Harebell looks great in most of the borders where it's self seeded itself.

'The Fairy' never disappoints and this year it's just gone wild.

A few lilies have made an appearance but are floppy and needed staking.

Last but not least, the white Lisianthus (Prairie Rose) from the local Farmer's Market are in bloom. Soon the deep purple/blue ones will be as well.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Garden

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

Also, please check out my recipe blog Astrid's Home - the latest post is Devilled Eggs

Rainy Day in the last week of summer...

It's raining today. 

The first signs of fall are starting to appear. 

And why not? Saturday September 22 is the first official day of autumn…but let's hope the summer temps and sunshine stay for a long time still!

Caladium

  Oakleaf Hydrangea

Alchemilla mollis

Lisianthus (Prairie Rose)

Pelargonium

Japanese Golden Grass

Viburnum burkwoodii

Browallia

Shrub rose

Elaine

Scabiosa (Pin cushion flower)

Gerbera Daisies

Hosta

Spruce tree

Rose 'The Fairy'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'