flynn070

I have been enjoying the beautiful fall-like weather and planting up a storm. I will share what I've been doing in a future post. I actually took time this morning to take a few photos for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day which I usually miss altogether. The above photo was taken out front along the foundation. It is kind of a hot mess of Fleece Flower (Persicaria 'Red Dragon'), hostas and Solomon's Seal - more of a foliage shot but at least the Fleece Flower is blooming. Speaking of, it is a sprawling mess right now and I will move it later in the fall. I don't think it gets enough sun. Actually, I will be moving a lot of plants this year. Live and learn! Some of the potted plants first - 'Dragon Wing' begonia by the front door We love this little begonia and I don't recall the name of it. It is a little blooming machine, doing perfectly fine in full shade. I hope I can overwinter it. Now on to plants in the ground - The blooms have been a bit stingy ...

According to the local weather folks, the hot weather could be out of here! All told, I would guess that we had a total of about 10 days above 90 degrees since July so we are not complaining at all. We love the Pacific NW weather.  Of course there are a few drawbacks - tomatoes did not begin to ripen until mid-August, the puny canteloupe I planted has fruited but seems to be at a standstill and some of the heat-loving flowers like Hyacinth Bean vine, lantana and marigolds have been small-growing. However, this is not a bad price to pay for a humidity-free climate. Gardening-wise, the most difficult thing for me to adjust to is the dry summers. We have not had an inch of rain since mid-June! Even though I water faithfully, I honestly do not know how plants are still alive, especially the ones that grow in the wild. It is typical weather in this maritime climate though. Tomorrow we have an 80% chance of rain and we got a good sprinkle yesterday and today. Persian Ironwood (Parrotia p...