 |
| From GBBD – August |
Here we are again in the middle of the month and I am late with my post of what’s blooming in my garden in August (Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, May Dreams Gardens). There really is very little in bloom and I don’t think there is anything that wasn’t blooming in July as well. The garden is quiet. Still here are some of the more interesting images I captured by getting up close.
Four O’Clock (Mirabilis multiflora var. pubescens). Native to soils with excellent drainage in the San Joaquin Valley and other very dry Southern California locations, this low-growing ground cover has done extremely well in the parkway garden since 2007. It blooms in the summer and disappears in the winter.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Indian mallow (Abutilon palmeri), also from hot, dry, well-drained S. Cal. regions, blooms nearly all year. It seems to take whatever I give it.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
At this time of the year, Indian mallow (Abutilon palmeri) is more seed than flower. I found a small seedling in my vegetable garden and think I will let it grow there.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has a large range and is found in many habitats.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) also has a very large range. It belongs here and I plan to use it more and more in my garden.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is found north of my garden in central and northern California meadows but is doing fine here with occasional water. I planted it near a magnolia street tree that needs deep watering about once a month in the summer. It blooms reliably in the summer. It can be invasive, though in my garden it has to battle it out with the magnolia roots.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Stepping back, here are the goldenrod and buckwheat in the parkway. Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) are mixed in.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
The Pacific Coast Hybrid irises (Iris –PCH) don’t look great, though the seed head is pretty interesting.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Heartleaf keckiella (Keckiella cordifolia) has a few blooms at the ends of long branches. Found in chaparral and forests of Southern California, I am hoping to use it more in the wooded parts of my yard.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
Brenda Butner nightshade (Solanum hindsianum ‘Brenda Butner’) blooms all year. Unfortunately this thorny upright shrub from Baja is not all that beautiful in my garden. I keep planning to remove it, but its flowers persuade me otherwise.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
In fairness, this is what the parkway and much of the rest of the garden looks like – peaceful.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
On the vegetable front, the basil is in full bloom. I think I will make pesto today.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
This is some weird bean – I think it is called asparagus bean – that gets about 2 feet long. Tastes okay.
 |
| From GBBD – August |
This is from a squash-like plant that volunteered near the compost heap. Does anyone know what it is?
 |
| From GBBD – August |
You have an interesting array of plants. The Solanum flower looks attractive. I can see why you hesitate to remove the plant.
What an adorable garden assistant you have–though it does look like s/he has fallen asleep on the job in the earlier post. LOL! Found my way here via Carol's GBBD. You have a very fun garden.
Barbara,<br /><br />Great collection of plants. No help on the melon looking thing. Don't you know your supposed to top that basil before it flowers…
Easygardener: The solanum flower is nice, but like I say the plant – so, so. I did see it somewhere else where it looked much better. Oh well.<br /><br />Curmudgeon: Yes Milo is cute. He's a rather senior helper so I don't expect much.<br /><br />Hi Randy: Yes I know I should have deadheaded the basil – couldn't keep up. Luckily I have another bunch that is much younger.
Randy – I know… not deadheading – pinching off the flowers as they come. They still get ahead of me!!
Stop teasing with the Solanum hindsianum 'Brenda Butner'. I have been looking everywhere for it but I keep getting the same response "Solana what now?" I'm packing my bags for Baja right now.
Troy, you are right about the nightshade being hard to find. Rancho has sold it for years but when I looked to see where it came from I came up with nothing. Solanum hindsianum is from Baja/California Floristic Province. Brenda Butner worked at Yerba Buena Nursery in 1988 on (don't know when she stopped or if she is still there). S. hindsianum is blue and the cultivar is white. That's all
Love the small seedling…wonder what it is ?<br />The picture of irises seed head is sooo clear…looks pretty cool.<br />The color of your Brenda Butter flower is an amazing.
Patsi, there is a larger squash on that plant. I think I will cook it and see how it tastes. Still don't know what it is. I visited your blog and saw that you are in S. Jersey. I lived in New Providence for 13 years and must say that I do miss the exuberance of the east coast summer. Our colors are much more subdued at this time of the year (unless you water a lot!). Thanks for commenting.
Hi Barbara – <br />In response to your Pacific Coast Iris pic: I'm always looking for interesting pods and other natural material. So if you find something cool, save it for me!
Volunteer squash don't usually come true to seed, so they often produce weird crosses. Sometimes tasty, but usually not…<br />I like the closeups of the salvia seedhead and the iris opening. Pretty cool.
You have a beautiful garden Barbara! It’s wonderful to see the variety of flowers and colors in your garden! While gardening can be fun it is also important to watch the water consumed. This is especially important as numerous parts of the world including Southern California are facing a water shortage. I would like to share with you some water-wise gardening tips. Go to http://bit.ly/rMIK0 and