Fall is starting to whisper in Northern California; we had our first real rainstorm of the season last night, and the garden today was damp and fragrant. I let a few of the last artichoke buds flower (but must be sure to cut them before they do their "HaHa! I'm really a thistle!" thing.) ~Click any photo to enlarge~
Things are more subtle in September. This is Grevillea 'Coastal Gem' a South-African groundcover shrub that is a good alternative to prostrate rosemary in the landscape; drought tolerant, deer resistant, wonderful texture and a lovely coral flower.
A little out-of-season Cerinthe major next to the Coleonema 'Sunset Gold' (one of my favorite plants, in case you haven't noticed!) That Cerinthe is blooming now is evidence of the milder-than-usual summer we had; normally this is an early spring combination!
This Diascia has been one of the hardest working perennials in my garden this year; planted as instant color in April they have been blooming non-stop ever since. Every time I go out to shear them, they look at up me like this and howl 'Nooo!' Maybe next month...
I am in love with this grass: Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass). I bought it from none other than John Greenlee himself. Unfortunately, my cats love it too, hence MY name for it:Cat Toy Grass!
A spriglet of Loropetalum chinense 'Plum Delight,' another of my favorite winter-blooming shrubs, giving a little sneak preview.
I have mistreated this purple-leafed Plectranthus for years, but last spring I repotted him AND gave him his very own drip emitter; I think I've been forgiven!
The Lantana by the front porch is still going strong; no doubt it'll be around next month too. Thanks again to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for inspiring "Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!"
I look forward to your GBBD postings on the 15th of each month as much as I do posting my own! It's exciting to see what goes on in gardens across the country. These are beautiful images, Laura. Love the grass pic - a GGW entry, for sure. And Diascia as a perennial? I can only imagine the possibilities. Beautiful, as always.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that artichoke blooms were so beautiful. You have a lovely garden!
ReplyDeleteLovely tour Laura. Great photos. Love the articoke bloom...looks like something growing at the bottom of the ocean. H.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms! It's so interesting to see blooms across the country; you have so many here that we never see in the Midwest. The artichoke buds are especially fascinating--they look just like the thistle blooms here! I'm going to go look up Pelactranthus now to see if I can grow it, too:)
ReplyDeleteHave lived in California for 35 years and in all that time I don't think I've ever seen an artichoke in bloom. Must be because it takes a strong person to give up even one steamed artichoke in favor of flowers, no matter how lovely.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I love that artichoke as well. I know how big they get, you must have quite a plant there. Too funny about the cats...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're all enjoying the artichoke blooms! I knew they'd be a hit. These are 3rd gen side shoots (the leader and first shoots were...delicious!)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful - featuring my very favorite Fall bloomers (plus a few new ones - haven't tried that grass yet)! As usual, you have such a way with words.....thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you included your artichokes in your Bloom Day post! I can't wait to add a few to my garden! But I'm with Susan- it's going to take a lot of will power to allow a few to go to bloom!
ReplyDeleteYour Korean Feather Reed Grass is just beautiful! I have always loved ornamental grasses and it is so fun to see all the different ones gardeners use all over the country. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteThose artichokes are beautiful. I think you can cut them at this point & dry them, I think they keep their color well. Too pretty to let fade.
ReplyDeleteSusie, really? They would be beautiful with my pomegranates! I'll try it. My dad will breathe a sigh of relief (I carelessly let a thistle go to seed last year, so now he keeps close watch!)
ReplyDeleteRebecca & Hillary, it is the nicest grass! Completely deciduous with a tidy spray of apple green leaves all summer, flowers in September. Thankfully the cats only destroy the plumes one at a time, and since a lot of amusing acrobatics are involved, it's worth the sacrifice!
ReplyDeleteI guess I am the only person who actually lets ALL of her artichoke flowers bloom! I can't get myself to eat one because of how spectacular the flowers are! And the bees love them so much - do you notice how they do the 'deep shimmy' when they are inside the purple thistles, getting all the pollen they can? I love watching them!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the Coleonema 'Sunset Gold' - I put it everywhere! And it looks wonderful with the cerinthe!
Beautiful bloom day! Maybe one day, when I actually have blooms, I'll do a bloom day post! XOXO!
Haha Germi...I know exactly what you mean about the bees! There is actually one in the photo (on the right-most flower, toward the bottom) Not in full-shimmy, but he was sure happy!
ReplyDeleteThese artichokes are just beautiful. I don't think our growing season is long enough here.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - especially the artichokes
ReplyDeleteI have NEVER seen artichokes bloom... I thought the part you eat was the bloom! Thanks for enlightening me and for such beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures...loved listening in to all your chatting away...Lantana huh? Now I finally know the name...and what a hard time keeping it down..had one growing out of a wall!!!!! Covered several meters both high and wide...but then that is us in the subtropics...Erna
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I am jealous...or not! The season is winding down on the east coast. So...we now will have no more (or very few) flowers for awhile, but we also get a break!
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, those are beautiful photos of some plants that I am not even familiar with.
Good Morning Laura: This my first visit to your blog, looking forward to many more. You have done a great job.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
John
The artichoke buds remind me of some underwater corals we have in the tropical waters..the colour is lovely, by the way.
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