Purple Dome Aster

The last bright spot of color of summer in my garden beds at home is old reliable Purple Dome Aster.  He never fails me, he's like old faithful!  Right on time early October in all his purple glory!  He also seems to resist frost so I keep a few alyssum at his feet to keep him company.  I get lots of questions from the neighborhood army of walkers about what that plant is.  I keep splitting it every three years and donate pieces to my garden club annual plant sale.

Verbena bonariensis,

I first saw these in a large clump in a garden bed at Rochester's Mayowood Mansion about 12 years ago. They were attracting monarch butterflies!  It was enchanting and I went searching for their name and how to get some plants for my garden!   I found my gardening friend, Doris, has them among her many garden beds and learned they are an annual that readily reseeds for her!  They are delightful as they are so open and airy dancing among other tall plants or over the top of shorter plants.  Their pinkish purple flowers fit well into my color scheme at home and make a great addition to floral arrangements! 

They are not readily found as bedding plants in most garden centers but I am aware they often can be found at either Sargent's locations in Rochester.  Or, you can visit my friend, Doris, like I do and come home with a handful of young plants!  Mine don't readily reseed so easily because of my mulching material.  But, I love to visit Doris regardless!  I think of her every time I stop and admire them in bloom! 

They grow to 4-5 Ft tall

My favorite splashs of color are

Dragon Wing Begonias, they never disappoint me!  They love sun, shade or part sun! They are spectacular planted in small or large containers or directly in the ground!  My favorite way to use them is to plant 3 plants in each huge container (like half whiskey barrel size) and watch the show begin!  This year I treated them to some worm poop (more about that in another post) and watered them well weekly!  Actually, I stop at a country greenhouse near the cabin early in the spring and place an order for about 22 of them from the first batch they grow out and pick them up once the frost danger has passed.  At home I do a big pot in my big hosta bed, a big pot next to the garage and a few in a taller small pot between the two garage doors.  

Just two plants in this container

Three plants in this container

Walking in my neighborhood....

I have a few favorite homes I slowly stroll by while admiring some gardening elements.  This is such an unique way to display hanging baskets and containers overflowing with flowers.  Her husband made this flower cart for her a few years ago and I look forward to her new display every year.  It was a bit past its peak color when I remembered to take my camera along this day, but it is still attractive.  So easy to care for when watering and deadheading, they are all in one spot! 

In the neighborhood....

recently I took my camera along on a walk (yep, I do that once in  awhile) to capture a few scenes to share with you.  This neighbor does the most lovely matching flower boxes on two windows in the front of the house!  When I pass this house I usually walk a bit more slowly to enjoy in the view!

Goodbye...Endless Summer...

Enough of your unreliabililty.......you've been replaced!  When you decided to bloom you were beautiful, but you are fickle!  I've given you 6 years of love and care and I'm not happy with you.   

I finally decided to replace my Endless Summer Hydrangeas!  The one at the lake was rescued by a friend who will be content with a green shrub most of the time.  In it's place I planted an Annabell Hydrangea a friend shared with me!  I've been admiring Annabells for several years! 

The one at home is rescued by another friend who is content with a lovely shurb and I planted a 'Bobo' Hydrangea in its place!  I'm so excited as I have been considering several varieties of the smaller size hydrangeas all summer!  I ran across a sale in Mankato recently and at 30% off, I couldn't resist 'Bobo' as my final decision!  I've had several garden friends recommend this one! 

Bobo™ Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata in Miniature!
This great new Hydrangea bears so many flowers you can hardly see the leaves! And at 2 1/2-3' tall and 3-4' wide, it is small enough that even space-challenged gardens -
 

Limelight Hydrangea in Sept.

 White blooms turn to pink in September and continue to darken to a rich mauve into October.  I shared with you the beautiful white blooms in August and now the the lovely pink is showing! 

Reminder:  You check my blog at any time and see posts I've made in the past, etc.

http://gramakjsgardengate.blogspot.com