Late Bloomers

This evening I spent a little time puttering in my neglected garden. My main objective was to get my Bronze Fennel and Garlic Chives deadheaded before they drop their seed. That was about all I got accomplished because by 7:30, I was losing daylight. It's been kind of disheartening, the earlier and earlier evening darkness but I tonight was comforted by the "hoot, hoot" of two owls discussing important owl business. 

Here are a few photos I managed to get before it got too dark. 

The herbaceous Hibiscus have really been pretty this year. 

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Southern Belle Disco Bell White'

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Kopper King'

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Torchy'

I'm still waiting for blooms on my Hibiscus mutabilis 'Rubrum' that I purchased from Annie's a year ago. The plant is healthy and has buds so it shouldn't be long now. The flowers will be pink, of course. 

On to the Dahlias, dahling. 

Dahlia 'Bonne Esprance'

Dahlia 'Roxy'

Dahlia NOID

Dahlia 'Miz Bee Haven'

Dahlia 'Ivanetii'

And the Clematis are starting their second bloom cycle. I recently purchased C. 'Gravetye Beauty'.

Clematis 'Gravetye Beauty'

C. 'Gravetye Beauty'

C. viticella . Madame Julia Correvon'

C. v. 'Mme. Julia Correvon'

C. v. 'Betty Corning'

 And the Hydrangeas...

H. macrophylla 'Glowing Embers'

H. paniculata 'Limelight'

Finally, I have to share this little story. Several years ago, my tallest, handsomest Crape Myrtle fell victim to a winter windstorm. Although I was sad to see it go, I replanted that area and until this year hadn't given it much thought. Earlier this year I discovered those telltale leaves and realized that it was regrowing. It grew to about four feet and now it's getting ready to bloom. 

One wide shot...

Here I'm holding plants for an area I'll be redoing as soon as I can get time.