A last hoorah!
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As summer slips away and fall inches it’s way in, I’ve noticed several plants really thriving, just blooming away. So I decided to take a walk about the yard with camera in tow to catch the last blooms of the year.
I like taking pictures of flowers. They always smile and stand perfectly still, usually.
Here’s a Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea – Asteraceae) our first bloom of the year.
We started these from seed so I’m guessing that’s why they’re a little slow in blooming but I’m grateful for any length of bloom time – they’re beautiful. Next year they should prove to be a show stopper for sure.
Look at this little cutie. This is a Golden Guardian Marigold (Tagetes patula Golden Guardian) that has thrived beyond belief. I’m not a big marigold fan. They’re usually hard and stiff lipped looking for me but these look more like a friendly petite daisy. A friend shared some of these seeds with me to help keep the bugs out of my garden. I’m so glad she did because not only did they combat the bugs, with the heat and lack of rain they’ve grown just beautifully. And their color is a perfect welcome for fall.
These will last into early-mid fall but since they’re an annual I will be sad to see them fade. But… I have pictures! And I will plant these again next year. They were easy and hearty and happy.
Now this, this is a strange one. It’s called an Angel’s Trumpet Ballerina Purple (Datura metel Ballerina Purple). An exotic, tropical looking plant that my son wanted to try to grow from seed. Well it grew – about 5′ tall! And is still covered with new buds and these interesting looking fruits (not for eating!) that can be used in fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Aren’t they just the coolest? Look at the dark purple stalk… so dramatic.
This is one of my most favoritist-of-all-time flowers, the hydrangea. We planted these about a year and a half ago, so they’re just getting going. We have four different varieties of hydrangea in our yard (did I tell you that it’s my favorite?) but these are Endless Summer.
The blue is so vibrant. I can hardly stand not to go ahead and cut them for an arrangement… maybe I’ll wait one more day.
So what did you grow this year that worked? Or didn’t? What are you planning to try next growing season?
Happy End of Summer! Hooray for fall!
*First day of fall is September 22.*
Pretty stuff sis! My easiest bloomers are my hydrangea each year – the ones you covet 🙂 I’m growing more fond of my lavendar. Can’t seem to get it to bloom more than once in early summer, though. Anyone know any tricks to that? Confederate Rose is a great late summer bloomer. Mine is about to pop open any day. It comes back every spring from the ground and is about 7 feet tall by the end of the summer, then blooms in September/October – giant light pink roses. (actually related to the Hibiscus) Save me some Coneflower seeds.
Well, up here in Wisconsin, our growing season is pretty short. I do have the Purple Coneflower though and it’s one of my favorites. I like watching the smaller birds land in the middle of the flower and peck out the seeds. I’m thinking I won’t cut them down and leave them for the birds long into fall/winter.
I planted Hollyhocks this summer and one variety is almost a black color. It hasn’t bloomed yet (planted late), so I may have to wait until next year to see how that one turns out.
Gorgeous photos – you must have one heck of a camera.
Beautiful photos!
I’m looking forward to the ginger lillies blooming. Have yours started blooming yet? Since ours were transplanted this year the timing is probably a little off. I am still amazed at how many ginger lillies have multiplied from one tuber that the Sargents gave us years ago from their yard.
I have never in my life planted something… I don’t think. Someday I’ll have a yard of my own.
Until then I will drool over yours!
Awesome photos. Purple coneflowers are my favorite, but then any flower that will stand up and pose for me is a favorite as well.
i love your photos! what equipment do you use?
thanks.
L
Hey Linda!
I have with a Nikon D50 and most of the pictures on this site are with my 50mm 1.4 lens. Thanks for stopping by!
~ Amy
I love taking photos of flowers also. Yours are still beautiful. My favorites that I grew this year and for the past several years are Gerbera daisies. Right now we have a gorgeous white camellia bush that’s blooming away. The only thing I don’t like about it is all the petals that are falling off. Looks like little pieces of white paper on my front lawn. Oh! btw, I want the 50mm 1.4 lens. My hubby just bought me a D60 and I’m a real novice but slowly learning. Taking a photography class at Furman.
Hello Amy. I stopped by your blog as I was curious about “She wears many hats”. I LOVE your flower photo’s! I too love to photograph flowers, butterflies and those little green lizards will actually pose for you to take their picture. I’ll bring some of my pictures in so you can see them when you are in the store again.