After the first snow

The first big snow dump has come and gone, and, even though it requires way more patience to upload pictures on the old laptop I am now using, I just had to show you what my Canadian garden looks like while waiting for its thick blanket of snow.

 The alyssum and the autumn joy sedum are really taking the lead now, filling in for all the less hardy annuals and perennials. 

 But a few of the roses are still hanging in there.  This one was a miniature that I got from the grocery store in spring for about $5.00, and divided into 5 plants.  It's hanging out with the snapdragons that have also been snubbing their noses at the frost.

The grape vines are hanging on to their pretty yellow leaves and so are the meadow rue. 

 

Anything that works well with autumn color and is willing to keep on going through the snow, as this lobelia did, deserves a yearly spot in my garden.

As you can see, I don't rake or do a lot of clean up other than to make sure the iris leaves are removed from the area to prevent over-wintering of the iris borer.

In a few days I suspect my garden will be covered with a blanket of snow that will settle in for a few months. It will have a beauty all it's own, and, if I tire of the blinding white, I can always spend a few hours pouring over my photos, rereading my blogs, and then going through the blogs of other gardeners to get new ideas for next year.

What's Blooming: August 2012

Heat, humidity and thunderstorms -- all part of summer here on Long Island. I'm thankful for my Black Eyed Susans (Rubeckia hirta 'Goldsturm') as they continue to look great, despite all kinds of weather. Today is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - have a look at what's growing and blooming in my garden this month.

Under the japanese maple, the sedums are almost ready to bloom. A few pink echinaceas still peek through but the real show stoppers are the rubeckias. 

Along the side of the front garden, the purple Angelonia angustifolia 'Dresden blue' is doing beautifully. The lantana in front of the Echinacea magnus is also looking good. 

A perennial lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria') just started to bloom. I just love the deep red colored flowers on erect stems against the deep, dark foliage below. 

The crape myrtle is in full bloom. I've never had one of these before and I love it! I might prune it after its finished blooming to keep it from getting too large. Anyone have any insight on that?

And the panicle hydrangea behind it is lovely, but way too big for the space. Its very overgrown, and will also be getting a nice trim immediately after its finished blooming. 

I love the pink tint on the almost-blooming sedums!

As always, any thanks to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for hosting the monthly Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.