Monday, August 15, 2016

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day August 2016-The Annuals

Welcome to my August, 2016 edition of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Two weeks ago our lawn was brown. We were in a severe drought in my upstate New York garden, near Binghamton, New York.  But then the rains rolled in.

We may well have a record breaking hot summer.  This past weekend was so humid.  Not enjoyed by humans, but the plants are enjoying it.  This August is the turn of our annuals, as we are between blooms on our perennials.

This year, for the first time in several years we decided to chance impatiens.  My favorite African impatiens are again thriving in the front.

New Guinea impatiens have joined them.
The first of several dahlias.

I bought these first two dahilias on a clearance at a nearby nursery.

I have had these dahlias for over 20 years.  The friend who gve them to me passed away in 1998 from cancer. Each year my husband digs them up.  We store the tubers and replant in the spring.

One of our two lantanas, soaking up the hot, humid heat.
I thought this variegated lantana would be a disappointment.  It isn't.
One of our cosmos flowers.
A petunia.
We do have a handful of perennials in bloom, such as this deep red Crocosmia.  My false sunflower is also in bloom, along with a surprise glad that overwintered.  


It is sad to realize that, by September, we may be getting close to our first frost.  Enjoy the heat while we can, even if we can use just a bit less than we have right now. 

Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this monthly meme.  Please go to her site next, enjoy the flowers, and see what flowers are blooming all over the world.

What's blooming in your world today?

20 comments:

  1. OUr gardens have been washed out with heavy rains but at this time of year many gardens have Balsam in full bloom, zinnias and wild cosmos on the hillsides

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    1. Trying to imagine hillsides covered in wild cosmos. What a sight it must be. I've never tried to grow balsam but it will grow here as an annual.

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  2. We have more rain coming this week. Means I do not have to water. Also means I'll have to start cutting the lawn again, lol.

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    1. You and me both! But I'd rather have the rain. Not too much, of course. And may I say, you have a beautiful garden, deer, drought and all.

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  3. Very pretty, especially the Dahlias!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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  4. In my neck of the woods, everyone is staying inside. so, they'll only catch fleeting glimpses of their blooms when they grab their morning papers!

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    1. It's really been so hot down there. Here also, but not like your area.

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  5. Wow! I haven't seen impatiens are one of my favorites- little cute things! Doesn't their seed capsules burst when we touch them? I'm glad that you restore the Dahlia plants which your friend gave you. You sometimes, do not want some things to go away!
    Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures.

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    1. The seed capsules are supposed to do that, but, strangely, they have never done it for me. I hope we can continue to keep the tubers (which are not hardy in our zone) going. I have back issues and I hope my spouse doesn't develop them.

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  6. Your flowers are beautiful! It has been hot and humid, we have not had much rain at all in our corner of the mid-atlantic and are pretty brown. My Knock-out Roses are still going strong, they are so faithful and hardy! I hope your flowers linger well into September.

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    1. Thank you. Little bothers those knock outs. Am grateful for them even though we don't happen to own any.

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  7. I love dahlias but just don't like their care level. I have heard of people not digging them up and replanting but I just appreciate them from afar!

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    1. It is a chore to dig them up. I have back issues so if my husband ever develops those issues, it is probably the end of those lovely dahlias. If that becomes the case, I may just give them away to a friend.

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  8. Alana! I so love your posts bringing freshness, memoirs and brimming with energy. Flowers brings so much memory.

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  9. Beautiful!

    I was in Ithaca over the weekend helping out with the Women Swimmin' for Hospicare fundraising swim. I have some beautiful flower pictures from a local CSA that my friend who runs the kayak support team for the event is a member of - we were there for cherry tomatoes, which were on unlimited free pick, and then she drove back to see what else was on the free pick board, and then she glanced over behind the greenhouse and screamed "GLADS!" and they were worth shrieking about, they were GORGEOUS!

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  10. What lovely August blooms you have. I especially love the dahlias. I've tried to grow them here and I just never have any luck with them. Maybe they just don't like our climate. Happy Bloom Day!

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  11. It's surprising to hear you are having a drought as well. I don't envy your humidity.

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  12. I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone by. I only have one dahlia, a beautiful bloom that was love at first sight, but I don't enjoy digging them up either. It came back with lovely healthy shoots this Spring. I cared for it and grew a lovely plant, only for the slugs to devour every last leaf. Enjoy yours!

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