Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day October 2009

Black-eyed Susan is going strong in mid-October. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

There’s still a lot blooming in my garden, including one new, fluffy white ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea (H. arborescens), black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm,’ (Rudbeckia fulgida) and ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ aster (Symphyotrichum).

It’s the October 2009 Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, so here’s the report.

The ‘Frosty Igloo’ mum (Dentranthemum) has changed from white to pink as the flowers age, but the tall red salvia (S. splendens) is still going strong.

Some of the containers also are hanging on:

Lantana ‘Citrus Blend,’ and another lantana, a no-name yellow gold, played nicely with the Tukana ‘Scarlet Star’ Verbena and the frothy ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia.

‘Diamond Frost’ also worked very well with the lovely ‘Fantasia Cardinal Red Improved,’ a geranium (Pelargonium) I got from Simple Beautiful plants to try this summer. I hardly deadheaded the geranium, but it bloomed steadily all summer long.

Fantasia Cardinal Red Improved geranium bloomed without deadheading all summer. 'Diamond Frost' euphorbia always does well and it's easy to see how it is one of the best selling annuals on the market. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

And, who can beat the Dragon Wing Red Begonia, another stunner that is an absolute work horse in the garden.

'Miss Kim' lilac has beautiful fall color. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Always a surprise to me is the fall color of ‘Miss  Kim’ lilac (Syringa), a Manchurian type that is stunning (and incredibly fragrant) when it blooms a bit later than traditional lilacs. As an added bonus, no powdery mildew!