It’s been so cool here in southeastern Pennsylvania that, in some ways, it feels like this should be a September Bloom Day, rather than August. On the other hand, the lack of heat has slowed down many of the later bloomers, so some of the usual August flowers are barely getting started. There’s plenty to look at despite the weather weirdness, thank goodness, and I’m happy to present some of the highlights from the last few weeks.
Some tomato highlights: ‘OSU Blue’ (top left), ‘Eagle’s Beak’ (top right), ‘Romanian Oxheart’ (bottom right), ‘Puszta Kolosz’ (bottom left), and ‘Indigo Rose’ (center)‘Puszta Kolosz’ tomato (gorgeous, but had little flavor)‘Eagle’s Beak’ tomato still ripening (a new favorite: big, meaty fruits with outstanding flavor)‘OSU Blue’ tomato (very productive and tasty, with blue-shouldered green fruits that ripen to black and red)‘Indigo Rose’ tomato (smaller than ‘OSU Blue’ and nearly pure black when unripe, eventually turning orange-red on the bottom, also good flavor)‘Fish’ pepper (Capsicum annuum)Anatolian black carrot‘Pretzel Bean’ cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)‘Beauregard’ sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in bloom‘Old Gold’ corn (Zea mays)‘Autumn Glow’ winter squash with nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Lovely Leaves…
‘Amate Soleil’ schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla) with ‘Shadow King Pink’ rex begonia (Begonia rex)Electric Pink cordyline (Cordyline banksii) with ‘Sweet Caroline Raven’ sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) and ‘Profusion Cherry’ zinniaVariegated Malaysian palm grass (Setaria palmifolia ‘Variegata’)Variegated St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum ‘Variegatum’)Variegated basket grass (Oplismenus hirtellus ‘Variegatus’)‘Redhead’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) with ‘Purple Knight’ alternanthera (Alternanthera dentata) and ‘Firefly cuphea (Cuphea)‘Limon Blush’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) and ‘Summer Glow’ hummingbird mint (Agastache)‘Smallwood’s Driveway’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)‘Gnash Rambler’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)Piggyback plant (Tolmiea menziesii)Yoke-leaved amicia (Amicia zygomeris)‘Florida Moonlight’ caladium with ‘Shadow King Cool White’ begonia and maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum)Caribbean copper plant (Euphorbia cotinifolia)‘Red Heart’ and ‘Variegated Heart’ bloodleaf (Iresine)Golden full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’) with Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)‘Color Guard’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa)‘All Gold’ Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) with ‘White Nancy’ deadnettle (Lamium maculatum), ‘Norfolk’ friendship plant (Pilea involucrata), and ‘Blackberry Ice’ heuchera
In the Meadow…
Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) in the meadowPink milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) in the meadowSpotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos) in the meadowShining sumac (Rhus copallina) in the meadow‘Ruby Spice’ summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) in the meadow
…and Around the Garden
Courtyard Path ~ August 2, 2014Courtyard ~ August 6, 2014‘Oakhurst’ pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa) with ‘Sweet Caroline Raven’ sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), ‘Redbor’ kale, and ‘Profusion Orange’ and ‘Profusion Double Golden’ zinnias ~ August 2, 2014Front Garden ~ August 9, 2014Golden lace (Patrinia scabiosifolia), Tropicanna canna (Canna ‘Phasion’), ‘Redbor’ kale, ‘Profusion Orange’ zinnia, ‘Tangerine Gem’ marigold (Tagetes signata), and ‘Oakhurst’ pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa) ~ August 9, 2014Front Garden ~ August 7, 2014Front Path ~ August 7, 2014Golden lace (Patrinia scabiosifolia), golden wayfaringtree (Viburnum lantana ‘Aurea’), ‘Radiance’ cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), nettle-leaved mullein (Verbascum chaixii), and annual mallow (Lavatera trimestris) ~ August 6, 2014Side Garden ~ August 9, 2014Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) in the Side Garden ~ August 7, 2014
Well, that’s it for this August’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day at Hayefield. You can find lots of other glorious late-summer gardens to visit at Carol’s main GBBD post at May Dreams Gardens. Enjoy!
27 thoughts on “Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – August 2014”
Niah
What a beautiful post, your plants seem to be flourishing in the cooler conditions. I have “lurked” for a couple of years and always enjoy seeing what is happening in your garden.
What surprises me the most each year is the contrast between the seasons and the speed at which the garden moves, although each has their own beauty I love late summer/fall, it seems to save the best till last.
Eager for next month’s update..!!
keep em coming 😃 .
A long-belated welcome to you, Niah. I’m so glad to hear from you, and I completely agree: now through October is my favorite time in the garden too. Thanks for checking in this morning!
-Nan
Sue Gilmour
Gorgeous! Love the reds! We’ve been having weird weather too, very hot July, not much rain and now cool but having a much needed rain today although its with a bit of wind which might blow everything to the bottom. Do you ever stake, I never noticed in any of your pics. Have a great one! TTFN…Sue
Ugh – wind is tough to deal with, isn’t it? I get a lot here too, since I’m out in the middle of a field. No, I don’t stake; instead, I do a LOT of heavy cutting-back in late May to mid-June to keep things shorter and bushier. Most areas don’t get fertilized or watered, so the stems stay harder. And the plantings are pretty dense, so the plants hold each other up.
-Nan
Nancy
Oh my, every time you send us such a delicious blog. I usually don’t like so many colors mixed together. Yours are wonderful. I think all the variety of textures has a lot to do with that tapestry that is jaw dropping. With such unusual plants, are you starting many from seed? Are those sent from plant friends or from catalog sources. Does planting things so close suppress weeds or mulching too? Laura Deeter has a funny comment about drifts of one. You master that. The boy’s contribution must be a great food for those results. Thanks for the moring’s best breakfast. I’m full now, no, I want to go shopping. Those bulb catalogs need a good look and some perennial sales too.
Good morning, Nancy! You know, I used to cringe at color mixes too, but I’ve really been gravitating toward them in recent years. I like to take my glasses off and enjoy the impressionistic effect. Yes, a good number of my plants are from seed: some from catalogs but many from seed exchanges (mostly the Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group’s exchange these days) and gifts from readers. I use mulch on the paths only; in the beds, the plants do the job of covering the soil. (I depend heavily on self-sowers for that.) Have fun shopping. I’m thinking of doing some myself, with a 35% off coupon I just got from Santa Rosa Gardens. I bought some things from them back in the spring and was really impressed with the quality.
-Nan
Your garden is always a joy to see and your photography is outstanding! Wish I was closer to see it in person. I do have some of you in my garden, with all the seeds you shared. Thank you for the garden walk!
Thank *you* for taking the time for a virtual visit, Karen. It’s great to hear that the seeds have done well for you. I hope that your day is as beautiful as the one we’re enjoying here today.
-Nan
I can’t barely comment. I was about halfway through the post before I realized you had stopped talking…. I would make a horrible garden visitor.
So many amazing closeups and combinations, the pictures again are really great. I’ve been back and forth to google looking things up -ran out of time and so much for my own post today! The corner with the eucomis is my favorite, but there are so many seconds…. and that variegated squash has really grown on me.
Oh and the side garden looks fantastic with all the rudbeckia. It’s all over, but not too dense with all the other goodies still coming up through it, and the front path always looks great…. so much for barely commenting :)
When does the ‘year at Hayefield’ book come out? I had a flashback to the empty field photos you posted for your 10 year look-back and it’s a wonder how much you’ve done. Take care, and thanks!
That was too funny, Frank. Yeah, I’ve pretty much given up on providing running commentary for Bloom Day posts; it’s all I can do to pick the pictures, resize them, and get them uploaded and captioned in 2 days. Nobody seems to miss it, anyway. I’m definitely still considering a Hayefield book, but it’s going to have to wait another year, at least, since I have a new project to tackle first. Good luck with your own Bloom Day post; sorry I took up so much of your time. You know you always have two weeks to read mine!
-Nan
Jean
Do you rely on seeds for many of your plants? I live in an area not known for great plant nursery choices and I would like to know where you source your ,to me, unusual plants. I love your garden and thank you for your posts.
What a beautiful summer this has been in western Maryland.
Thanks for sharing yet again! Always gorgeous new plants to lust after.
Hey, Barbara! Great to hear from you. I was just thinking that I should check in to see how you’re doing. I hope you’ve been thoroughly enjoying yourself this summer, now that your Chesapeake Bay gardening book manuscript is done.
-Nan
Allan Robinson
Hi Nan, what a feast for the eyes. Seems like the UK is following the USA in the weather. It has gone from being hot, sunny and dry to cool, overcast and wet and as you say more like September. Glad to see that your garden is still looking wonderful and I just love those Dahlias. I am usually not keen on tender perennials but got into Dahlias last year and am growing Cannas for the first time this year, your post and photos have given me inspiration to try more varieties.
We have very similar taste in plants, don’t we, Allan? I too got more into dahlias last year. They are really loving the cool summer this year and have been gorgeous. I hope you have a wonderful day and get to enjoy some time in your garden!
-Nan
melanie
Just beautiful. Love the variegated Malaysian palm grass….me want!
We’ve had weird weather in Ohio too! High of 70 today! It is August, RIGHT?
Isn’t that foliage something? It’s usually described as “pleated,” which it is, but that doesn’t convey the zig-zaggy effect on the newer leaves. We’re not even up to 70 yet today, and it actually dipped down to 48 right around dawn. Even better, it’s dry, sunny, and breezy: excellent haying weather. We’re down to our very last bale, so they boys and I are hoping to get the barn refilled in the next few days.
-Nan
Nick
ok, am gonna visit and dig up all those wonderful, beautiful plants and take them home. Shame I am in a different continent.:)
Such exquisite combinations. Plus the plants we hardly every see for sale here in the UK. (if you don’t want garish petunias or nasty fuschias (sorry for every one who likes them, but they are so unnecessary) available in most “plant retail outlets”, you are unlucky). I am fortunate to live 3 miles from the world famous Beth Chatto’s Garden and Nursery and only a little further from the fantastic specialist nursery “A Place For Plants”, but even then finding real variety and interest is very difficult.
I avoid growing from seed, as I have little enough time for normal gardening and maintenance, but you do inspire me.
If any of my plants go missing, I’ll know who to blame, Nick! I really think you’d be thrilled with the experience of growing plants from seed. Yes, it can be time-consuming if you’re starting a lot of annuals indoors and need to keep up with potting them on and then planting them all out every year. But with perennials, they tend to germinate at different times and progress more slowly, so you don’t have a whole lot of work at one time. And with annuals that will self-sow, I usually aim to get just one or two pots started the first year, then scatter their offspring through the borders and let them do their thing after that.
-Nan
Thanks, Nan! Your photography this year seems to have gone from excellent to exceptional and I’m wondering if you’ve gotten new equipment or just found your groove? So many sumptuous images that I suspect you could find a way to make us covet any growing thing. The bottom third of your photo showcasing Redbor Kale could surely be a book jacket with eye-grabbing color and contrast. Where’d you find Coleus ‘Gnash Rambler’? I’ve got to find that one…..as I’ve been successful in taking cuttings of several varieties last year. Have you seen the glossy textured leaves of Coleus “black patent leather” at Chanticleer’s Main House Garden?
Also, does Iresine always have that faded look? I bought a pink one that isn’t passing muster.
Hi there, Eric! I did get a different camera a few months ago, but the difference you’re seeing is because I’m now uploading much higher-resolution versions of the images. It’s gobbling up my WordPress storage space, but when I see how much nicer the high-res versions look, I can’t make myself go back to the space-saving versions. I appreciate you noticing and commenting, because it makes the extra expense worth it. I can’t remember exactly where I found ‘Gnash Rambler’, but I’m pretty sure it was either Black Creek or Horst’s Greenhouse out in Lancaster County. I don’t get down to Chanticleer, so I haven’t seen ‘Black Patent Leather’, but I’ll see if I can find a pic online. My iresines are in all-day, baking sun against the barn wall, so I’m used to them being a little washed-out through the summer. If memory serves, the colors get richer toward fall, when the sun gets less intense. Don’t give up on yours yet; maybe it’ll brighten up.
-Nan
My Iresine, in a mixed container, only gets 3 to 4 hours of direct sun but I’m intrigued to see if it improves as weather cools. Given this cooler than average August, though, I can’t imagine how pitiful it might look in a more typical summer.
By the way, the ‘Bergamo’ Monarda photo is breathtaking. Has that cultivar had a few winters at Hayefield or is it new for you?
Hi Eric. ‘Bergamo’ came to me as seeds from a reader last winter. I’ve seen references to it being hardy in Zones 4 to 9, but it’s mostly touted as an annual, and I’m guessing that it will behave like that here. It’s flowering so heavily that I doubt it’s thinking of putting much energy back into its roots!
-Nan
Alan @ it's not work, it's gardening!
Great, now I have to wipe the drool off my keyboard again… always a pleasure to see the late summer bloomday posts of your garden Nan! I need to figure out how to get the Sanguisorba seeds to germinate, as I’ve failed two years in a row now. Must have! :)
Hi Alan! I’m sorry to hear that you’re not having luck with sanguisorbas from seed. I do find that the sang seeds I get from seed exchanges or seed companies tend to be mostly or all chaff. It takes a good bit of work to clean them in a way that leaves whatever seeds are there. After that, sowing in pots at some point between mid-fall and late winter and leaving them outside for the winter seems to work well. My plants have been self-sowing quite a bit and seem to be crossing as well, as evidenced by the pink S. tenuifolia seedlings now appearing. Maybe it would be worth it for you to buy a starter plant of some different species and/or selections?
-Nan
Your garden is in amazing shape…I am always looking for new plant suggestions for my garden so I really enjoyed and appreciated your photo album. I found several that I would like to add this fall or next spring, I will need to research them.
Good to hear from you today, Charlie. If you’re having trouble finding sources from some of things you’re interested in, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction if I can!
-Nan
Nan, your posts are a dangerous influence. I just pulled out the couple patrinia I planted last fall — not a good choice here, esp. with drought watch ongoing. I did grow it years ago when the garden was irrigated more frequently. What intense pleasure to see Hayefield in August through your photos. I’ve been really enjoying the Emilia javanica ‘Irish Poet’ seeds from you — for a dainty-looking thing, it’s been surprisingly tough. I think that varieg borage has to be on the next seed order!
Ah, the dangers of being tempted to try plants that might not be suitable for one’s climate. But if you hadn’t experimented, then you might not have tried the Emilia either, and how sad that would have been. I’m so glad you like it! I’m still watching the borage: the first plant was loaded with blooms, but I’m not sure if it set any seed. Maybe the others will be more cooperative.
-Nan
Nancy your garden is spectacular and full of surprises. We have many of the same blooms which is why I bought your wonderful Perennial Care book. I just reviewed it on my blog this week.
Hi Donna! Thanks so much for visiting today, and hey, for a review as well – wow. I’ll check it out. Happy Bloom Day to you!
-Nan
You’ve got so many beautiful combinations to savor, Nan! It always amazes me how quickly your garden explodes after winter’s end – even after your prolonged winter season this year. There are so many plants I covet that don’t/won’t grow here (like that wonderful Monarda) and still more that it’s becoming increasingly obvious I shouldn’t try to grow during our miserable drought, like the Iresine, Dahlias, and Eucomis that hang on tenuously to life here without the water they need to thrive. I’ve made a commitment to turn a blind eye to those thirsty beauties I adore to concentrate on drought-tolerant plants like Yucca, Grevillea and Leucadendrons – or maybe I’ll just try a few of the thirstier items in pots that are easier to isolate for special treatment…Weaning from water hogs is more difficult than it appears.
It’s so easy for those of us in cooler zones to envy you warm-climate gardeners–especially when we’d like to grow stuff that’s tender here. But hot *and* dry must really be tough. Would it help at all to know that the ‘Bergamo’ monarda is an annual? Well, I’ve seen claims that it can be hardy too, but it’s blooming like gangbusters now from an April sowing indoors. Maybe you could try that one in a pot. It’s only about 1 foot tall–so far, anyway.
-Nan
What amazing color and texture combinations, Nan! It is always a feast for my eyes when I stop by your blog! And so many plants new to me! I would have to start digging out some boring plants and give them away before I can approach some new species that I like on your blog! You are such and inspiration and such hard worker!
I was happy to see that you tried out the seed of the OxHeart Romanian tomato this year. What did you thing about the taste. My husband lets then stay on the vine until completely red and ready to eat and the one i tried yesterday was delicious to me. We’ve been blessed this year with a perfect vegetable garden with enough rain that I barely used the hose on my raised beds. Thanks a lot for such great pictures and for continuing to blog for us all!
Daniela
Oh, Daniela, I owe you a big thank you for sharing that ‘Romanian Oxheart’ tomato! The fruits are large and beautiful, and Mom and I both think the flavor is great, so it’s definitely a keeper for next year. And yes, it’s been great not having to water this season. I hope you and your family get a generous harvest and fully enjoy the rest of your summer!
-Nan
Marge H.
Thanks so much for sharing the beauties of your garden, Nan. I just wrote down some ideas in my garden journal for next year. I have the purple Angelonia growing in a pot with a yellow green Monterey Cypress and some other annuals, but I really like it with the Ogon- definitely a go for next year. And it made me so happy to see your Euphorbia cotinifolia looking so lush and lovely. I have one in a pot that is also looking happy and flowering as yours is. It overwinters in my basement looking dead and forlorn and then becomes this glorious plant when it gets back out into the sun and warmth. As others have said, your photography is excellent and the beautiful photos bring out that urge to try one more new plant (and figure out where to fit it in). Enjoy the cooler late summer weather and your amazing garden.
Good morning, Marge! I was a little disappointed with that ‘AngelMist Deep Plum’ angelonia at first, because the color wasn’t at all what I’d call “deep plum,” but the rich purple it turned out to be is really nice, and it’s been flowering well since early summer. This is the first time I’ve had Euphorbia cotinifolia in many years and wonder why I’d skipped it for so long. Well, that’s probably because I have to mail-order it. But I will try overwintering it this year in the basement and see if I can have the same luck you do.
-Nan
I bring my Euphorbia cotinifolia inside in it’s pot before the weather gets too cold (prefrost and give it a good water a few days before) and then it sits in our cooler basement (60s) as much away from the windows as we can get it. Then I water it once a month- it will lose all it’s leaves over time and appear dead. Then I bring it out as soon as it’s warm enough and do the usual hardening off thing. Someone I read about in Rochester, NY had one for years this way and it got to be 6′-7′ high over time. Hope this helps and saves you the mail order costs. They are so beautiful.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share these details, Marge. My basement usually stays 35 to 40, so it might be too cold down there. I’m going to give it a try, though. It really would be nice to start with more than a barely-rooted cutting.
-Nan
kate patrick
Nan, Awesome photos! Hayefield looks wonderful this year despite the weird weather. It is full of great little treasures. By the way, I too noticed your lack of running commentary and want to go on record to say that I missed it. I like to read your viewpoint as we virtually tour the garden. Jus’ sayin’!
Thanks for the feedback, Kate; it’s nice to know that some folks like to read as well as look at the pictures. I’ll try to get back to that for the next Bloom Day – promise!
-Nan
What a feast Nan ! I have been collecting Sanguisorbas and love my pink un-named seedling I got at Far Reaches Farm in Washington. They are impossible to find here in Northern Calif (except for Digging Dog) and I had never thought to try and collect seed. I must ask , is your garden ever open for tours ? Garden Conservancy, private groups etc ?
Now that you mention it…I wonder why it’s so hard to find nurseries that carry sanguisorbas? They are kind of slow at first and seem to be much happier in the ground than in pots, but so are some other, more readily available perennials. Maybe it’s because there’s not much of a demand here for them.
I used to occasionally have tours, but it’s an overwhelming amount of work for me to get the whole place in show condition at one time and tough to schedule visits around my work deadlines these days. Hence, the blog!
-Nan
Your garden looks so cool and peaceful in the early morning light. I like to take photos in the evening for the same glare-free look. Everything looks so wonderful as usual, so inspiring. I like your dark Dahlias, so mysterious. I had to laugh at the Gnash Rambler Coleus! I’m growing Bergamo too but mine is not blooming yet, yours looks smashing with the matching magenta bracts, so I hope it blooms soon! The Petunia exserta I got from your seed giveaway has been blooming, I like the red flowers.
Hey there, Hannah. I’m really loving those dahlias too, though they make me hungry for dark chocolate every time I see them. I hope your ‘Bergamo’ gets going soon. Once it starts, it blooms itself silly. It’s great to hear that the petunia is doing well for you. I’m really loving it in a container this year.
-Nan
Barbara Dashwood
Hi Nan. Once again I’m blown away by the generosity of your garden and of yourself for sharing the fruits of your labour with us all. Wow, what a beautiful year it has turned out to be for you both! There is just so much to admire and contemplate, it’s hard to take in. Looking forward to the container book and I think the idea of a Hayefield book simply has to happen. And the sooner the better! Other than that, I was intrigued by your ‘Angel Mist Deep Plum’ Angelonia. It looks absolutely glorious. Is it seed grown? I am growing my first Angelonia this year, a PW transplant. So far so good. Dry here. I think it has only rained in our little plot 3 times since May.Thanks for everything. You are awesome! Barbara. Victoria, BC
Hi Barbara! That angelonia is a great purple, isn’t it? As far as I know, it’s vegetatively propagated. I wish I could send you some rain! It’s rather sultry here today and we’re due for more storms yet.
-Nan
Barbara Dashwood
Thanks, Nan! We got your rain!!!! Not sure yet if it will be enough to amount to anything but had to abandon my reading in the garden. Hope your storms don’t ruin your gorgeous blooms.
That’s wonderful news, Barbara; may it continue as long as you need it and no longer!
-Nan
Stacey Wilson
I have just found your lovely blog and am so excited! where do you get all of your plants? I have a 3 year old garden and still plenty of room to add I will use your photos for ideas and inspiration. Also have many of your books which I love and use quite often.
Welcome, Stacey! I’m so happy that you found your way here. Many of my plants come from seed. Growing from seed is an immensely useful skill to pick up early in your gardening adventure, because it’s a great way to get unusual plants, and to get the quantities you need to fill new beds without spending a fortune. Thanks for reading here, and for buying my books too!
-Nan
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What a beautiful post, your plants seem to be flourishing in the cooler conditions. I have “lurked” for a couple of years and always enjoy seeing what is happening in your garden.
What surprises me the most each year is the contrast between the seasons and the speed at which the garden moves, although each has their own beauty I love late summer/fall, it seems to save the best till last.
Eager for next month’s update..!!
keep em coming 😃 .
A long-belated welcome to you, Niah. I’m so glad to hear from you, and I completely agree: now through October is my favorite time in the garden too. Thanks for checking in this morning!
-Nan
Gorgeous! Love the reds! We’ve been having weird weather too, very hot July, not much rain and now cool but having a much needed rain today although its with a bit of wind which might blow everything to the bottom. Do you ever stake, I never noticed in any of your pics. Have a great one! TTFN…Sue
Ugh – wind is tough to deal with, isn’t it? I get a lot here too, since I’m out in the middle of a field. No, I don’t stake; instead, I do a LOT of heavy cutting-back in late May to mid-June to keep things shorter and bushier. Most areas don’t get fertilized or watered, so the stems stay harder. And the plantings are pretty dense, so the plants hold each other up.
-Nan
Oh my, every time you send us such a delicious blog. I usually don’t like so many colors mixed together. Yours are wonderful. I think all the variety of textures has a lot to do with that tapestry that is jaw dropping. With such unusual plants, are you starting many from seed? Are those sent from plant friends or from catalog sources. Does planting things so close suppress weeds or mulching too? Laura Deeter has a funny comment about drifts of one. You master that. The boy’s contribution must be a great food for those results. Thanks for the moring’s best breakfast. I’m full now, no, I want to go shopping. Those bulb catalogs need a good look and some perennial sales too.
Good morning, Nancy! You know, I used to cringe at color mixes too, but I’ve really been gravitating toward them in recent years. I like to take my glasses off and enjoy the impressionistic effect. Yes, a good number of my plants are from seed: some from catalogs but many from seed exchanges (mostly the Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group’s exchange these days) and gifts from readers. I use mulch on the paths only; in the beds, the plants do the job of covering the soil. (I depend heavily on self-sowers for that.) Have fun shopping. I’m thinking of doing some myself, with a 35% off coupon I just got from Santa Rosa Gardens. I bought some things from them back in the spring and was really impressed with the quality.
-Nan
Your garden is always a joy to see and your photography is outstanding! Wish I was closer to see it in person. I do have some of you in my garden, with all the seeds you shared. Thank you for the garden walk!
Thank *you* for taking the time for a virtual visit, Karen. It’s great to hear that the seeds have done well for you. I hope that your day is as beautiful as the one we’re enjoying here today.
-Nan
I can’t barely comment. I was about halfway through the post before I realized you had stopped talking…. I would make a horrible garden visitor.
So many amazing closeups and combinations, the pictures again are really great. I’ve been back and forth to google looking things up -ran out of time and so much for my own post today! The corner with the eucomis is my favorite, but there are so many seconds…. and that variegated squash has really grown on me.
Oh and the side garden looks fantastic with all the rudbeckia. It’s all over, but not too dense with all the other goodies still coming up through it, and the front path always looks great…. so much for barely commenting :)
When does the ‘year at Hayefield’ book come out? I had a flashback to the empty field photos you posted for your 10 year look-back and it’s a wonder how much you’ve done. Take care, and thanks!
That was too funny, Frank. Yeah, I’ve pretty much given up on providing running commentary for Bloom Day posts; it’s all I can do to pick the pictures, resize them, and get them uploaded and captioned in 2 days. Nobody seems to miss it, anyway. I’m definitely still considering a Hayefield book, but it’s going to have to wait another year, at least, since I have a new project to tackle first. Good luck with your own Bloom Day post; sorry I took up so much of your time. You know you always have two weeks to read mine!
-Nan
Do you rely on seeds for many of your plants? I live in an area not known for great plant nursery choices and I would like to know where you source your ,to me, unusual plants. I love your garden and thank you for your posts.
What a beautiful summer this has been in western Maryland.
Good morning, Jean. Yes, I rely heavily on seeds: they’re not as inexpensive as they used to be, but they’re still much cheaper than buying plants. Besides the HPS/MAG Seed Exchange, some of my favorite seed sources include Special Plants, Select Seeds, Trade Winds Fruit, Plant World Seeds, and Chiltern Seeds.
-Nan
Thanks for sharing yet again! Always gorgeous new plants to lust after.
Hey, Barbara! Great to hear from you. I was just thinking that I should check in to see how you’re doing. I hope you’ve been thoroughly enjoying yourself this summer, now that your Chesapeake Bay gardening book manuscript is done.
-Nan
Hi Nan, what a feast for the eyes. Seems like the UK is following the USA in the weather. It has gone from being hot, sunny and dry to cool, overcast and wet and as you say more like September. Glad to see that your garden is still looking wonderful and I just love those Dahlias. I am usually not keen on tender perennials but got into Dahlias last year and am growing Cannas for the first time this year, your post and photos have given me inspiration to try more varieties.
We have very similar taste in plants, don’t we, Allan? I too got more into dahlias last year. They are really loving the cool summer this year and have been gorgeous. I hope you have a wonderful day and get to enjoy some time in your garden!
-Nan
Just beautiful. Love the variegated Malaysian palm grass….me want!
We’ve had weird weather in Ohio too! High of 70 today! It is August, RIGHT?
Isn’t that foliage something? It’s usually described as “pleated,” which it is, but that doesn’t convey the zig-zaggy effect on the newer leaves. We’re not even up to 70 yet today, and it actually dipped down to 48 right around dawn. Even better, it’s dry, sunny, and breezy: excellent haying weather. We’re down to our very last bale, so they boys and I are hoping to get the barn refilled in the next few days.
-Nan
ok, am gonna visit and dig up all those wonderful, beautiful plants and take them home. Shame I am in a different continent.:)
Such exquisite combinations. Plus the plants we hardly every see for sale here in the UK. (if you don’t want garish petunias or nasty fuschias (sorry for every one who likes them, but they are so unnecessary) available in most “plant retail outlets”, you are unlucky). I am fortunate to live 3 miles from the world famous Beth Chatto’s Garden and Nursery and only a little further from the fantastic specialist nursery “A Place For Plants”, but even then finding real variety and interest is very difficult.
I avoid growing from seed, as I have little enough time for normal gardening and maintenance, but you do inspire me.
If any of my plants go missing, I’ll know who to blame, Nick! I really think you’d be thrilled with the experience of growing plants from seed. Yes, it can be time-consuming if you’re starting a lot of annuals indoors and need to keep up with potting them on and then planting them all out every year. But with perennials, they tend to germinate at different times and progress more slowly, so you don’t have a whole lot of work at one time. And with annuals that will self-sow, I usually aim to get just one or two pots started the first year, then scatter their offspring through the borders and let them do their thing after that.
-Nan
Thanks, Nan! Your photography this year seems to have gone from excellent to exceptional and I’m wondering if you’ve gotten new equipment or just found your groove? So many sumptuous images that I suspect you could find a way to make us covet any growing thing. The bottom third of your photo showcasing Redbor Kale could surely be a book jacket with eye-grabbing color and contrast. Where’d you find Coleus ‘Gnash Rambler’? I’ve got to find that one…..as I’ve been successful in taking cuttings of several varieties last year. Have you seen the glossy textured leaves of Coleus “black patent leather” at Chanticleer’s Main House Garden?
Also, does Iresine always have that faded look? I bought a pink one that isn’t passing muster.
Hi there, Eric! I did get a different camera a few months ago, but the difference you’re seeing is because I’m now uploading much higher-resolution versions of the images. It’s gobbling up my WordPress storage space, but when I see how much nicer the high-res versions look, I can’t make myself go back to the space-saving versions. I appreciate you noticing and commenting, because it makes the extra expense worth it. I can’t remember exactly where I found ‘Gnash Rambler’, but I’m pretty sure it was either Black Creek or Horst’s Greenhouse out in Lancaster County. I don’t get down to Chanticleer, so I haven’t seen ‘Black Patent Leather’, but I’ll see if I can find a pic online. My iresines are in all-day, baking sun against the barn wall, so I’m used to them being a little washed-out through the summer. If memory serves, the colors get richer toward fall, when the sun gets less intense. Don’t give up on yours yet; maybe it’ll brighten up.
-Nan
My Iresine, in a mixed container, only gets 3 to 4 hours of direct sun but I’m intrigued to see if it improves as weather cools. Given this cooler than average August, though, I can’t imagine how pitiful it might look in a more typical summer.
By the way, the ‘Bergamo’ Monarda photo is breathtaking. Has that cultivar had a few winters at Hayefield or is it new for you?
Hi Eric. ‘Bergamo’ came to me as seeds from a reader last winter. I’ve seen references to it being hardy in Zones 4 to 9, but it’s mostly touted as an annual, and I’m guessing that it will behave like that here. It’s flowering so heavily that I doubt it’s thinking of putting much energy back into its roots!
-Nan
Great, now I have to wipe the drool off my keyboard again… always a pleasure to see the late summer bloomday posts of your garden Nan! I need to figure out how to get the Sanguisorba seeds to germinate, as I’ve failed two years in a row now. Must have! :)
Hi Alan! I’m sorry to hear that you’re not having luck with sanguisorbas from seed. I do find that the sang seeds I get from seed exchanges or seed companies tend to be mostly or all chaff. It takes a good bit of work to clean them in a way that leaves whatever seeds are there. After that, sowing in pots at some point between mid-fall and late winter and leaving them outside for the winter seems to work well. My plants have been self-sowing quite a bit and seem to be crossing as well, as evidenced by the pink S. tenuifolia seedlings now appearing. Maybe it would be worth it for you to buy a starter plant of some different species and/or selections?
-Nan
Your garden is in amazing shape…I am always looking for new plant suggestions for my garden so I really enjoyed and appreciated your photo album. I found several that I would like to add this fall or next spring, I will need to research them.
Good to hear from you today, Charlie. If you’re having trouble finding sources from some of things you’re interested in, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction if I can!
-Nan
Nan, your posts are a dangerous influence. I just pulled out the couple patrinia I planted last fall — not a good choice here, esp. with drought watch ongoing. I did grow it years ago when the garden was irrigated more frequently. What intense pleasure to see Hayefield in August through your photos. I’ve been really enjoying the Emilia javanica ‘Irish Poet’ seeds from you — for a dainty-looking thing, it’s been surprisingly tough. I think that varieg borage has to be on the next seed order!
Ah, the dangers of being tempted to try plants that might not be suitable for one’s climate. But if you hadn’t experimented, then you might not have tried the Emilia either, and how sad that would have been. I’m so glad you like it! I’m still watching the borage: the first plant was loaded with blooms, but I’m not sure if it set any seed. Maybe the others will be more cooperative.
-Nan
Nancy your garden is spectacular and full of surprises. We have many of the same blooms which is why I bought your wonderful Perennial Care book. I just reviewed it on my blog this week.
Hi Donna! Thanks so much for visiting today, and hey, for a review as well – wow. I’ll check it out. Happy Bloom Day to you!
-Nan
You’ve got so many beautiful combinations to savor, Nan! It always amazes me how quickly your garden explodes after winter’s end – even after your prolonged winter season this year. There are so many plants I covet that don’t/won’t grow here (like that wonderful Monarda) and still more that it’s becoming increasingly obvious I shouldn’t try to grow during our miserable drought, like the Iresine, Dahlias, and Eucomis that hang on tenuously to life here without the water they need to thrive. I’ve made a commitment to turn a blind eye to those thirsty beauties I adore to concentrate on drought-tolerant plants like Yucca, Grevillea and Leucadendrons – or maybe I’ll just try a few of the thirstier items in pots that are easier to isolate for special treatment…Weaning from water hogs is more difficult than it appears.
It’s so easy for those of us in cooler zones to envy you warm-climate gardeners–especially when we’d like to grow stuff that’s tender here. But hot *and* dry must really be tough. Would it help at all to know that the ‘Bergamo’ monarda is an annual? Well, I’ve seen claims that it can be hardy too, but it’s blooming like gangbusters now from an April sowing indoors. Maybe you could try that one in a pot. It’s only about 1 foot tall–so far, anyway.
-Nan
What amazing color and texture combinations, Nan! It is always a feast for my eyes when I stop by your blog! And so many plants new to me! I would have to start digging out some boring plants and give them away before I can approach some new species that I like on your blog! You are such and inspiration and such hard worker!
I was happy to see that you tried out the seed of the OxHeart Romanian tomato this year. What did you thing about the taste. My husband lets then stay on the vine until completely red and ready to eat and the one i tried yesterday was delicious to me. We’ve been blessed this year with a perfect vegetable garden with enough rain that I barely used the hose on my raised beds. Thanks a lot for such great pictures and for continuing to blog for us all!
Daniela
Oh, Daniela, I owe you a big thank you for sharing that ‘Romanian Oxheart’ tomato! The fruits are large and beautiful, and Mom and I both think the flavor is great, so it’s definitely a keeper for next year. And yes, it’s been great not having to water this season. I hope you and your family get a generous harvest and fully enjoy the rest of your summer!
-Nan
Thanks so much for sharing the beauties of your garden, Nan. I just wrote down some ideas in my garden journal for next year. I have the purple Angelonia growing in a pot with a yellow green Monterey Cypress and some other annuals, but I really like it with the Ogon- definitely a go for next year. And it made me so happy to see your Euphorbia cotinifolia looking so lush and lovely. I have one in a pot that is also looking happy and flowering as yours is. It overwinters in my basement looking dead and forlorn and then becomes this glorious plant when it gets back out into the sun and warmth. As others have said, your photography is excellent and the beautiful photos bring out that urge to try one more new plant (and figure out where to fit it in). Enjoy the cooler late summer weather and your amazing garden.
Good morning, Marge! I was a little disappointed with that ‘AngelMist Deep Plum’ angelonia at first, because the color wasn’t at all what I’d call “deep plum,” but the rich purple it turned out to be is really nice, and it’s been flowering well since early summer. This is the first time I’ve had Euphorbia cotinifolia in many years and wonder why I’d skipped it for so long. Well, that’s probably because I have to mail-order it. But I will try overwintering it this year in the basement and see if I can have the same luck you do.
-Nan
I bring my Euphorbia cotinifolia inside in it’s pot before the weather gets too cold (prefrost and give it a good water a few days before) and then it sits in our cooler basement (60s) as much away from the windows as we can get it. Then I water it once a month- it will lose all it’s leaves over time and appear dead. Then I bring it out as soon as it’s warm enough and do the usual hardening off thing. Someone I read about in Rochester, NY had one for years this way and it got to be 6′-7′ high over time. Hope this helps and saves you the mail order costs. They are so beautiful.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share these details, Marge. My basement usually stays 35 to 40, so it might be too cold down there. I’m going to give it a try, though. It really would be nice to start with more than a barely-rooted cutting.
-Nan
Nan, Awesome photos! Hayefield looks wonderful this year despite the weird weather. It is full of great little treasures. By the way, I too noticed your lack of running commentary and want to go on record to say that I missed it. I like to read your viewpoint as we virtually tour the garden. Jus’ sayin’!
Thanks for the feedback, Kate; it’s nice to know that some folks like to read as well as look at the pictures. I’ll try to get back to that for the next Bloom Day – promise!
-Nan
What a feast Nan ! I have been collecting Sanguisorbas and love my pink un-named seedling I got at Far Reaches Farm in Washington. They are impossible to find here in Northern Calif (except for Digging Dog) and I had never thought to try and collect seed. I must ask , is your garden ever open for tours ? Garden Conservancy, private groups etc ?
Now that you mention it…I wonder why it’s so hard to find nurseries that carry sanguisorbas? They are kind of slow at first and seem to be much happier in the ground than in pots, but so are some other, more readily available perennials. Maybe it’s because there’s not much of a demand here for them.
I used to occasionally have tours, but it’s an overwhelming amount of work for me to get the whole place in show condition at one time and tough to schedule visits around my work deadlines these days. Hence, the blog!
-Nan
Splendides photos …. Super billet !
Merci
Thank you for taking the tour, Zingara. I hope you are enjoying a lovely summer!
-Nan
Your garden looks so cool and peaceful in the early morning light. I like to take photos in the evening for the same glare-free look. Everything looks so wonderful as usual, so inspiring. I like your dark Dahlias, so mysterious. I had to laugh at the Gnash Rambler Coleus! I’m growing Bergamo too but mine is not blooming yet, yours looks smashing with the matching magenta bracts, so I hope it blooms soon! The Petunia exserta I got from your seed giveaway has been blooming, I like the red flowers.
Hey there, Hannah. I’m really loving those dahlias too, though they make me hungry for dark chocolate every time I see them. I hope your ‘Bergamo’ gets going soon. Once it starts, it blooms itself silly. It’s great to hear that the petunia is doing well for you. I’m really loving it in a container this year.
-Nan
Hi Nan. Once again I’m blown away by the generosity of your garden and of yourself for sharing the fruits of your labour with us all. Wow, what a beautiful year it has turned out to be for you both! There is just so much to admire and contemplate, it’s hard to take in. Looking forward to the container book and I think the idea of a Hayefield book simply has to happen. And the sooner the better! Other than that, I was intrigued by your ‘Angel Mist Deep Plum’ Angelonia. It looks absolutely glorious. Is it seed grown? I am growing my first Angelonia this year, a PW transplant. So far so good. Dry here. I think it has only rained in our little plot 3 times since May.Thanks for everything. You are awesome! Barbara. Victoria, BC
Hi Barbara! That angelonia is a great purple, isn’t it? As far as I know, it’s vegetatively propagated. I wish I could send you some rain! It’s rather sultry here today and we’re due for more storms yet.
-Nan
Thanks, Nan! We got your rain!!!! Not sure yet if it will be enough to amount to anything but had to abandon my reading in the garden. Hope your storms don’t ruin your gorgeous blooms.
That’s wonderful news, Barbara; may it continue as long as you need it and no longer!
-Nan
I have just found your lovely blog and am so excited! where do you get all of your plants? I have a 3 year old garden and still plenty of room to add I will use your photos for ideas and inspiration. Also have many of your books which I love and use quite often.
Welcome, Stacey! I’m so happy that you found your way here. Many of my plants come from seed. Growing from seed is an immensely useful skill to pick up early in your gardening adventure, because it’s a great way to get unusual plants, and to get the quantities you need to fill new beds without spending a fortune. Thanks for reading here, and for buying my books too!
-Nan