I love early spring when the garden first comes alive and winter moves in to the rear-view mirror.
I love late spring when blooms are in abundance and the weather is super comfortable.
But my “garden lust” kicks into high gear the last week of July … I’m not kidding … it is that specific. I can almost identify the exact day each year when it all comes together deliciously.
And last night was that night.
Here in New Jersey, we have had a scorching hot summer with little rain. It’s been a challenge to keep all of the plants watered and looking presentable. There have been times where I wanted to give up and throw in the trowel.
But this past week, we have been inundated with rain and ironically, it has taken a few days for the plants to bounce back from the powerful winds and pounding rain. But once they did bounce back, things were in fine working order.
All was good as I dashed outside with the camera late yesterday afternoon.
- The grasses are all at a substantial size
- The fall blooming perennials are just starting to reveal their buds
- The summer blooming perennials keep on keeping on
- The deciduous shrubs are still holding on to their foliage color before the inevitable late summer decline.
Put that all together and you’ve got fantastic garden vignettes looking all healthy and lush and crap. Yeah buddy!
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| Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ and Ninebark ‘Summer Wine’ |
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| Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’, Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’, Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ and Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’. |
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| Viburnum ‘Emerald Lustre’, Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’, Amsonia tabernaemontana, Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’ and assorted others |
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| Panicum ‘Northwind’, Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’, Amsonia tabernaemontana, Northern Sea Oats, Viburnum ‘Emerald Lustre’ and Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’ |
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| More of the same |
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| Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’, Joe Pye Weed ‘Gateway’ and Panicum ‘Northwind’ |
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| Joe Pye Weed ‘Gateway’ and Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ |
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| Viburnum ‘Aurora’, Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ and Althea ‘Lavender Chiffon’ |
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| Purple Coneflowers, Achillea ‘Moonwalker’ and Sedum (cultivar unknown) |
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| Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’, Purple Coneflowers and Russian Sage |
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| Panicum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Achillea ‘Moonwalker’, Sorghastrum ‘Sioux Blue’, Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’, Purple Coneflowers and Russian Sage |
Good times indeed.
John
Your gardens are doing so well-congrats. It’s been the worst year for me–too much heat and no rain. It’s nice to be able to see gardens that actually BLOOM. I wish mine would try that-LOL!
You got a GARDEN going!
Complexity, layers, textures. It’s working in so many ways. Nice!
Your gardens inspire me to get out and find some different plants to add to my arrangements. I need grasses and some other foliage colors.
I like the combinations of perennials in your garden. Thanks to this blog and others like it, I am finding myself drawn more and more to perennial grasses. I purchased Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass this year and already have blue oat grass. I love the effect!
I can understand why you’re giddy at the end of July after seeing those pictures of your garden! Sure makes me wish I had more sun. I LOVE all the grasses. I especially love the picture with the Joe Pye Weed ‘Gateway’ and Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’. They look lovely together!
Good times indeed. Your garden looks great. We are in desperate need of some raing – it keeps missing us.
Oh, yes. Your garden doe look lovely. Glad you’ve had a break in the weather and gotten some much needed rain.
Quite lush and full! Love it.
Wow! I am loving all the variety of plants in your garden. That was really cool. Love it!