Well, summer finaly came to Niagara. We've had a few weeks of hot humid weather forcing many plants into growth and bloom. One of my favourite perennials, Kirengeshoma (Waxbells) came into bloom this week.
(Click on pictures for a better look)


I noticed this impressive Albizia in south end St. Catharines has been in bloom now since mid-July







I've added a few new perennials to my collection. I've always liked Stokesia (Stokes Aster) but have never bought one because of their floppy habit. This new one called Stokesia Peachie's Pick stood out because it is sturdy and upright.



Another new addition is Brunnera Diane's Gold. This shade lover has nicely cupped, yellow foliage which should look great once the little blue flowers open in spring.





Finally I took this picture at work of a bee dangling from a yellow Asclepias.

I planted some Phyllostachys nigra last year. It came throught the winter ok but it was very late to send up new shoots. It is just now starting to show some vigour.

This has me a little worried because I spoke with a lady a few weeks ago who had planted some two years ago. After seeing 20 foot rhizomes creeping around her garden this summer, she decided to dig up the bamboo and discard it.

I went on-line and found some great tips on how to manage an unruly bamboo. The advice I liked best calls for a string to be layed out beyond which you don't want the bamboo to spread. Then simply work the line with a good spade, pushing it as deep into the soil as you can. They recommend doing this in the fall. This, the writer claims, will sever any culms that have crept beyond from their food source, and these will consequently die.

I would love to hear from people who have this stuff in the garden in zone 6. Any tips for control would be appreciated.

The summer of 2009 is notable for its unusual weather. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but it is a summer of "firsts" in my garden.

I have never seen a Hummingbird in my garden, but this morning there was one very busy little Hummingbird in the Clerodendron. I hope to catch a picture of him later.

The Albizia has never bloomed for me until this year. I did notice though that it is about two weeks later than those further inland, away from the cooling effect of Lake Ontario.

Another first is a bloom on an evergreen Magnolia after it's first winter. This is on Magnolia Edith Bogue which was only planted last summer.

August 4, 2009

August 6, 2009