Things Are All A-Buzz

Mine really is a summer garden. I planned it that way on purpose. Yes, I have a bunch of spring bloomers because I am an incurable plant addict. But spring weather can be unpredictable and during years when the rain is constant, the spring garden can be either ruined or ignored. 

Contrarily, summer here in the Pacific Northwest is pretty much sunshine and more sunshine and July through September is when my garden is happiest and busiest with buzzing and flittering. It's when I am outside and when indoor things get ignored. 

I don't have a lot of photos this time but here's what's going on right now.

Despite my devotion to Coreopsis 'Mercury Rising' I saw this Coreopsis (below) at the Peoria Garden plant sale and decided it had better come home with me. It's much lower-growing and has more needle-like foliage. And the flowers are outstanding. (Will it survive the winter? That's the question.)

Coreopsis 'Cruzin' Main Street'

Years ago I purchased Dahlia 'Bonne Esperance' from a local retailer. I can't recall how it met its demise but when I saw it on sale at Swan Island Dahlias, I knew it needed to be in my garden once again. It's a low-grower with clear pink, single flowers. 

Dahlia 'Bonne Esperance' blooming beside Coreopsis 'Mercury Rising'

This volunteer Love-Lies-Bleeding is anything but a low-grower! It's taller than my five feet now which is a good thing because it offers a bit of shade for the Fuchsia and Farfugium behind it. I'm going to let it go to seed again this year. It's a cool plant.

Love-Lies-Bleeding 'Dreadlocks' came true from seed from last year's plant.

There is something kind of magical about Scabiosa 'Fama' with its extra-large, flouncy flowers. The honeybees apparently agree. 

Scabiosa caucasica 'Fama'

I know for many, if not most gardeners, Pennyroyal is considered a smelly weed. But I love it. The pungent aroma reminds me of my childhood years traipsing along the shores of the North Umpqua River where it grew. For me it doesn't misbehave like the typical mint but I still grow it in a pot with lots of water. It smells wonderful and the honeybees love it.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) in full bloom. 

I moved my Indigofera (no small feat) this spring to an all-day sun area and it has recovered beautifully. I really love the foliage and flower on this plant. 

Foliage and flower on Indigofera heterantha.

My Digiplexis survived our mild winter but just sat there in its pot for months. Finally now it's fixing to bloom.

Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame'

I think the foliage on this hardy Geranium is especially cute when adorned with the droppings of spent flowers of the Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides). 

Geranium pratense 'Victor Reiter'

One of the highlights of the summer garden is the hardy Fuchsias I've collected. Below is 'Baby Ann' in all her glory growing alongside a native sword fern. 

Fuchsia 'Baby Ann'

I've been watering my Japanese Blood grass a lot and it is really filling in. I love everything about this grass.

Japanese Bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra') partnered with a full grown
Hypericum androsaemum 'Glacier' seedling

And a few wide shots. Please pardon the imperfections.