In Bloom

The roses are in bloom again--Julia Child, QE2 and Livin Easy.   The Wild Blue Yonder has lots of bud and there are even buds on the JFK.  It's such a pleasure to see them bloom.

There are odds and ends of other flowers as well.   The coreopsis has bloomed; the clematis has a few flowers; the black eyed susans; the raspberry surprise diantus and the shrub altea.  The garlic chives are such a delight.  They glow in the light of the waterfall at night with many lace like blooms.   I've really enjoyed those.

The grass has also come back and is green and plush.   It feels so good to walk on it with bare feet.

Spirea

The spirea in front have bloomed again although not as spectacular as the spring blooms.   It's so nice to have a little more color.   The campanulas are still blooming and there are still yellow flowers on the Black Eyed Susans.   I am going to really like that flower.

Geraniums

I have some lovely Martha Washington geraniums.   They bloomed at the first of the summer, then the heat withered them but they are blooming again.   I'm going to try and winter them in the basement like I do the calalilies:

Cut the geraniums back and bring them inside, without the dirt and pots. Keep them in a cool location such as the basement and in a netted bag. Check them monthly for wrinkling. If they are wrinkling, dip them into tepid water for about 10 minutes to rehydrate. In February, repot and place in a sunny window or under grow lights. If your begonia are the fibrous rooted type, they can be brought indoors and grown as potted plants because their demand for light is not as high as geraniums. If the begonias are the tuberous type, you are better off letting them dry down and storing the tubers in a cool location for most of the winter. Repot them in February and give them the same treatment as you would your geraniums.

Shrub Althea Chiffon White

Name:  Shrub Althea, Chiffon White
Variety:  Hibiscus syriacus notwoodtwo
Type:  Shrub
 Light:  Full to Part Sun
Size:  8' x 6'
Bloom time:  Mid Summer
Flower color:  White
Fragrance: None
Plant location: North East Corner of the house
Care:   Fertilize with stake fertilizer in spring


This was developed by Monrovia.   When it becomes 8' tall it is going to be spectacular.