Our perennials have been going strong this year. Meakin snapped some pictures before the rains came this past weekend. It has been a very wet summer here in the mountains of western North Carolina, much more so than most years.
This pretty little purple coreopsis was a gift from Beverly. Many of you know Bev as Larry’s wife of Big Dude’s Eclectic Ramblings. Beverly gave us a cutting when we were at their blogger get-together this past June and as you can see it’s done quite well. Beverly is one of the most talented gardeners I’ve ever known and has a magic touch when it comes to flowering plants. Her flower gardens are a real showcase.
Our purple coneflowers bloomed later than usual this year and it’s the first time I can remember that they bloomed during Black-eyed Susan time. I just read that coneflowers come in a big variety of new colors, including some bright ones and three sizes from dwarf to tall.
We experienced a very harsh winter here as did much of the country. Our hydrangeas took a real hit and consequently haven’t bloomed. This one is new and has been a very fast grower. I wish I could remember its name. I believe that it is new. The flowers begin to turn a peachy sherbet color as they dry and die.
Due to the rain, our tomatoes haven’t done as well as some years. Tomatoes need rain, but not as much as we’ve gotten. Too much rain causes the tomato’s skin to swell. Our Cherokee Purples were finished last week and the only ones left are a few the grape tomatoes.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a stroll around our perennial garden and a visit to the last of the tomatoes. This will be linked to Garden Tuesday at Sidewalk Shoes.
Have a great week everyone
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What a gorgeous garden Sam! lovely pictures - sorry that the rain has damaged your crop of tomatoes but those grape tomatoes look delicious:)
ReplyDeleteMary
Everything looks pretty Sam! Always sad to see the last of the tomatoes but hopefully we'll still be able to find them at farm stands for a while longer-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteLovely! Our flowers have done well but the cool summer has not been good for local farms growing corn and tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteBest,
bonnie
Very much the same blooms here Sam..Your photographer captures your blooms beautifully:)
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. We did have a harsh winter, didn't we? I only have to blooms on my hydrangeas. We still have tomatoes, I think we have had a little less rain than you all. Our zucchini are finished though. The leaves got moldy, so we pulled them out.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the stroll through your garden. It is always interesting to see the comparisons of gardens in different parts of the country. I'm still waiting for the Cherokee Purples and other heritage varieties to ripen in our garden…they have a few more days to go.
ReplyDeleteSam, Nice flower photos! Our cone flowers are past peak and faded...but the finches are really happy with them... I'm always sorry to see the tomato season peak and pass. There is nothing better than those fresh from the garden or farm tomatoes. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteEveryone talks about its unusual weather these days. We've had drier winters, and warmer summers. In a way, we like this better, though our agricultural products can't quite adjust to the change. Too many fires have erupted for lack of the usual water.
ReplyDeleteCongratulate Meakin on taking such fantastic photos of your perennial flowers, Sam! They are stunningly clear and beautiful and each and every one would make a gorgeous framed picture or greeting card. It was also good to see the busy bee hard at work!
ReplyDeleteLove your garden Sam and some great photos here. We have also had a wet summer but we did get a mild winter. It is really quite chilly here today so I hope the summer is not quite over yet!! Have a good day, Diane
ReplyDeleteWe are having lots of rain this year too and my tomatoes don't do well at all. Those flowers are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty flowers. I plant flowers and leave the vegies to my kids. Then I go and sponge off them, lol...
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers. So nice when we get cuttings from friends. Glad to see the bees even if not a honeybee, since there has been trouble with them.
ReplyDeleteMy father-in-law used to say tomatoes needed natural rain, and not from a water hose to get proper tasting tomatoes. Sorry you had too much. We could have used your surplus.
Madonna
MakeMineLemon
Everything is so lovely Sam! Your husband takes beautiful pictures, wow!
ReplyDeletePretty flowers Sam
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Sam (and Meakin)! I can't believe your tomatoes are done and I don't even have one ripe slicing tomato yet! Hopefully, they will as our summer has been on the cooler side. Lots of cherry tomatoes, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. We are getting close to saying goodbye to summer and hello to cooler temperatures. I have to admit, I am ready! North Florida is feeling like it is possessed by swamp heat (humid and hot).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the summer photos. I enjoyed the journey.
Velva
Thanks for hosting! I am looking forward to checking out all the wonderful flower!
ReplyDeletefresh Home.
Beautiful photos!! My tomato plant is heavy still, and I'm enjoying tomatoes every day. I'm not ready to let this summer go and I'm enjoying every last little flower!
ReplyDeleteAlways sad when tomatoes are done; I still have a few Romas and have planted a grape tomato for a fall crop. You hydrangea looks like one of the PG variety. Missed my hydrangea blooms this year. But for gardeners there's always next year!
ReplyDeletehow beautiful. I wish I woke up to the a garden of those flowers every day. I love the one with the bee. Great capture of nature
ReplyDeleteI wish we could share some of our hot weather with you and trade for some rain. Our beautiful Pacific NW is turning the color of paper bags with all the dry weather we are having. We are just getting into our tomato season and I'm looking forward to many BLT's.
ReplyDeleteSam, these pictures are so beautiful...thank you for sharing it...they just made my day brighter!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week :D
You must have gotten our rain! I think we are down about 8 inches so far this year!
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty, Sam! With our share of rain we've definitely had a lush green summer and the flowers are beautiful except for the 3 hydrangeas, only 1 bloom. It has been cool the last few days and starting to warm up again. Love those tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photos and commentary so much, Sam. Your garden is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOur coreopsis didn't do so great this year. They were cute and purple for about 10 days and then turned to browned ugly sticks. I blame it on the bumble bees stressing out the plants. (Actually I don't, just sounds better than blaming it on myself.)
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous flowers! Beautiful snaps. Our daisies are spent but the rest continues. And our tomatoes are just in. Loving August in MN. Love how my MN garden looks so much like your NC garden. It's all summer fun, isn't it?
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