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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - August 2016

Our two month long dry spell was broken over the weekend with a considerable amount of rain. We've gotten over six inches of rain so far and it is continuing. 

The rain was welcomed by the thirsty garden and the gardener. It came too late for a few of my plants, which are going to have to be replaced, but it gives a second lease on life to many others.

And then there are the tough plants that just keep on keeping on, rain or shine. Those are the plants I love. 

Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) has blooms that are triggered by rainfall. My plant is in full bloom now. 


The 'Graham Thomas' rose is at its best in the autumn and it is getting a head start on the season.

Blue plumbago just never quits.

All the beautyberries are sporting a bumper crop of berries this late summer, including the white variety... 

...and the purple variety.

The 'Pride of Barbados' (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) continues its long season of bloom.

As do all the crape myrtles.


Duranta erecta 'Golden dewdrop.'

Joe Pye weed.

Almond verbena.

African blue basil. I grow it for the butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, all of which love it. It's not so great for culinary use. 

Anisacanthus wrightii is coming into its own now.

And, of course, I couldn't do an August post without including the Hamelia patens (hummingbird bush or Mexican firebush) which is a staple of my late summer and fall garden.

I hope you and your garden are thriving as we get ready for fall. It can't come too soon for me!

 Happy Bloom Day to all and thank you, Carol of May Dreams Gardens, for hosting us each month. 
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Comments

  1. CarmenAugust 15, 2016 at 8:15 PM

    You are lucky that your garden seems impervious to the lack of rain. I love those roses and the Pride of Barbados.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersAugust 15, 2016 at 10:22 PM

      I wouldn't say it's impervious, but it is surviving - at least parts of it are.

      Delete
  2. HannahAugust 15, 2016 at 8:29 PM

    It is very dry here and we are expecting temperatures in the high 90's later this week so I am spending a lot of time watering in advance to protect the plants. Before this it has been a fairly cool summer. I love your apricot-colored roses, and the tropical Pride of Barbados and Duranta, so lovely, Dorothy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlanaAugust 15, 2016 at 8:53 PM

    A beautiful drought resistant garden, full of so many things impossible to grow in my zone 5b garden. That's why I love coming back to see what is in bloom, especially the crepe myrtles I love so much. The Graham Thomas rose, at least, is hardy here and it is such a fantastic rose, I have been told. Happy GBBD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersAugust 15, 2016 at 10:24 PM

      I think 'Graham Thomas' may be my favorite of all the roses that I have in my garden.

      Delete
  4. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningAugust 16, 2016 at 8:01 PM

    Your gardens are beautiful Dorothy and the beauty berry and 'Pride of Barbados' are gorgeous! We have been going through a period of drought here as well with temperatures in the upper 90's. The established plants are just fine, but my poor newly planted weigela took a beating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersAugust 16, 2016 at 10:41 PM

      The plants that I've lost were all things that had been planted this year, and just when the drought hit, I had a leg injury and wasn't able to get out and take care of them. It's sad, but then it is an opportunity to try something new.

      Delete
  5. RoseAugust 17, 2016 at 8:06 AM

    It seems like the rain has been pretty widespread the past few days. We had over 3 inches on Monday through Tuesday, and my garden is so thankful. That African blue basil looks so attractive; I can see why the bees love it. Sorry to hear about your injury; I hope you're up and about soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersAugust 17, 2016 at 8:22 AM

      I'm up and about but still moving very slowly. Hamstrings and knees take time mending. Our rain is continuing and everything is looking green and refreshed.

      Delete
  6. Judy KruegerAugust 17, 2016 at 11:45 AM

    These photos feed my soul! We are on the last day of a heat wave today and I am happy to report that my yard has survived well (with lots of help from me and my hose!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersAugust 17, 2016 at 11:55 AM

      Our rain is continuing today, blessedly not of the torrential kind that our neighbors to the east have gotten recently but we are under a flash flood watch. The rain has brought lower temperatures, a wonderful respite from our weather of the last several weeks.

      Delete
  7. GlennaAugust 20, 2016 at 9:27 AM

    Wonderful shots! My favorite is the 'Graham Thomas' rose!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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