Monday, September 15, 2008

Bloom Day - September 15th

So this week the ginormous Hurricane Ike passed by Austin and pulverized Galveston - my thoughts go out to all those who were affected. I was kinda hoping we would get some rain, but all we got was hot, hot weather and I had to bust out the sprinkler instead. Oh well. But today a cool front has moved in and it is in the 80's and the morning was in the 60's! Fabulous. Autumn is on its way. Here is what is up in my garden on this splendid mid-September day:

Dwarf Mexican Bush Sage:





Oxblood Lilies:





Sunflowers:



I let the sunflowers go to seed so I can get visitors like this:



Lesser Goldfinches (please excuse the poor photography - I took these through the breakfast room window):



The goldfinches love the sunflower seedheads (I snuck outside very carefully to try and get this photo before he flew away):



Read about and listen to the Lesser Goldfinch HERE.

The Scarlet Runner beans are starting to set beans now that the weather has cooled down a bit:



Lace leaf lavendar and cantaloupe:



Black and Blue Salvia:



Texas Yellow Bells:



Orange Cosmos and Chile Pequin:



Tahoka daisy:

9 comments:

Carol Michel said...

I leave my sunflowers for the goldfinches in my garden, too. I like seeing them hang upside down to get to the seeds.

In spite of the heat and drought, you've got some nice blooms in your garden. Thanks for joining in for bloom day!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Iris said...

The orange cosmos and chile pequin look fantastic together! And thank you for reminding me that what I keep calling Mexican sage in my yard is actually dwarf Mexican bush sage.

S said...

What is your secret to the Black and Blue Salvia? I had one and It would wilt in the sun, but completely died on my patio. I don't know the secret! (I'm in Austin)

Lee17 said...

Carol,

I love the way they hang upside down too! Little acrobats those birds are!

Lee17 said...

Iris,

Thanks! And you are quite welcome ;)

Lee17 said...

sjp8987,

My back and blue salvia is in a spot where it gets afternoon shade and also gets extra water (the neighbor has tropicals on the other side of the fence that the salvia is planted on).

But this year it has been so dry, that my black and blue salvia is not nearly as big and lush as it should be. It seems to like extra water and some shade in Austin.

vertie said...

Your yard looks great. I wish I had that many blooms!

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

It's too bad the Goldfinches are so skittish. I can never get a shot of them when they're munching on the Coneflower seeds. I like the small-headed Sunflowers better than the big ones, they are so charming. They also require more bird acrobatics. I wish you could have gotten a quarter of the rain we got over the weekend. Here's wishing you cooler temperatures & some rain.

Annie in Austin said...

The little goldfinches like my decrepit sunflower too, Lee17 - you got darned good through the window photos of the birdie antics.

A second vote here for the orange cosmos & chile pequin - Happy Blooming Day!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose