What's Blooming: Maestro & Perilla

After this hot, dry summer many of my perennials, especially Bee Balm and Purple Cones, have already donned their seed heads for Winter. Their rusty brown and black forms contrast nicely with the fall palette of blooms. In the Bird & Butterfly Garden, perennial sunflowers, always reliable, bloom through Miscanthus Morning Light and peek from beneath Switch Grass Dallas Blues, Black-eyed Susans pop against Purple Perilla. An annual that reseeds itself, Purple Perilla pops up everywhere in my garden. It is also especially nice combined with the silver leaves of Lambs Ears.

In the Woodland Edge, Persicaria Firetail's blooms are now in flame, burning through the puffs of Prairie Dropseed and Nodding Onion.

A purple haze of not-so-Obedient Plants drifts throughout my garden.

Out front, Russian Sage and Walker's Low set off the dark foliage of Elderberry Black Lace. Sedum Maestro sings from a bed of Lambs Ears. Sweet Autumn Clematis perfumes the front porch.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens the 15th of each month.

What's Blooming

Out front Sedum Maestro is attracting a lot of attention from passersby - of the bumble bee variety.

The Cardinal Climber has reached its tendrils up to the of the porch lattice and is finally in bloom. Sadly, the hummingbirds have already moved on, but maybe those on their journey from further up north will chance upon its blooms.

In the butterfly garden Autumn Joy has taken the stage behind the blooms of Switch Grass 'Dallas Blues' whose blades will turn a beautiful gold color come the winter snows.

In the pollinator garden the Cosmos and Zinnias are still blooming in full force and are frequently visited by bees and Monarchs.

In the new woodland edge border, asters left wild are a cloud of tiny white blooms and new spontaneous, irresistible purchase Little Lemon golden rod seems to be a hit.

Along the drive, more Switch Grass but cross Ruby Ribbons in full bloom and whose blade tips are just beginning to turn red. The obedient plant is always abuzz with bees and Monarchs. Another spontaneous purchase Clematis 'Comtesse De Bouchard,' and one I do not regret. She has not stopped blooming since being planted.

An all time favorite just added this year is Coreopsis Moonbeam. And a first for me - my Moonflower is in bloom. Each morning I am greeted with another full moon at least 6" across.

Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens the 15th of each month. Visit Carol's blog and if you'd like, add your blog to the list so we can view your blooming blog.