Purplelicious veronica and an unnamed tithonia. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Filed July 3, 2011
Ok, I know I’m late, very late, but I wanted to file a brief report for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day.
I was finishing a manuscript for a tourism book of garden in the United States and Canada…I think about 440 gardens, or somewhere near that number.
The weather was just so very gorgeous the whole time my butt was glued to the chair, but I stayed disciplined.
Before I started the big writing venture, I snapped a few photos of what was going on here in Indianapolis.
Oakleaf hydrangea. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
The hydrangeas, especially the oakleafs (H. quercifolia) and ‘Annabelle’ (H. arborescens) have been spectacular. With my laissez-faire attitude and practices, the H. macrophylla did not seem to fair as well during the colder than normal winter. The H. paniculata are budded up and read to go, even one that’s only a foot tall that I got to trial last year…I need to find that plant tag!
Invincibelle Spirit. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
However, I must report that Invincibelle Spirit has never looked better. This is the third year in the garden and it’s gone from a spindly, weak-stemmed, dusty pink plant to one much more upright and a brighter pink.
The early blooming hostas are the dominant perennial in the shade garden, but my favorites are the fragrant, August blooming ones. The tall, early perfume-laden lilies (Lilium) are blooming filling the yard and my house with an incredible fragrance. Who would think the natural world could be so intoxicating.
All of the rain has created and nourished a bumper crop of weeds of all types. You can almost hear them grow.
Hosta and astilbe. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Also in the bloom category: ‘Papaya,’ ‘Double Pink’ and the species coneflowers (Echinacea). The Big Sky Sunrise is wilted and not looking good at all. This is the second or third one I’ve planted that has not done well. Two new daisies (Leucanthemum), Daisy May and Banana Cream have been spectacular. So has ‘Jacob Cline’ Monarda. And, for the second year in a row, the ‘Mardi Gras’ sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is in full bloom, even though it’s supposed to flower later in the season. Last year, it bloomed forever.
Good to finally see your report on June blooms. Sounds similar to my garden. Good to also know the sneezeweeds will keep blooming into August because I’ve got mine planted in a border that should be spectacular if everything in it blooms together late in the season.