Clematis (Viticella alba luxurians)

One of my favorite Clematis

For August Break, 2011

Copper iris (Iris fulva)

One of my favorite Georgia natives.

For August Break, 2011

Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)

For August Break, 2011

Bee Balm (Mondara 'Jacob Cline')

For August Break, 2011

Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

For August Break, 2011

Lobed tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata)

For August Break, 2011

Wild indigo, White (Baptisia alba)

For August Break, 2011

Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

For August Break, 2011

Purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)

For August Break, 2011

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum maximum)

For August Break, 2011

Swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)

Another great Southern native!

For August Break, 2011

"The Calla Lillies are in Bloom Again..."

Calla lilly (Zantedeschia) Not native to the U.S. but somehow they always make me think of the South... And Kate Hepburn walking in from the garden in "Stage Door".

For August Break, 2011

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Despite the heat and humidity, our native Lady Fern never gives up in Southern gardens. Love the red stems on this variety.

For August Break, 2011

Clematis integrifolia 'blue boy'

A hybrid of C. integrifolia and C. viticella introduced in 1947. So happy in my garden after all these years. Wish Chalk Hill still sold to the public. It was an awesome nursery.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

For August Break, 2011

When Pigs Fly

For August Break, 2011

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Not native to the United States, but a summer staple in Southern gardens nonetheless. It doesn't mind our hot and humid summers, and is treated as an evergreen shrub in the warmest regions. I've going to see if I can keep this one alive through the winter here in Atlanta.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

I'm participating in Susannah Conway's August Break. . The idea is to skip the words and post one photo each day during the month of August. I'm one day late, but here we go...

What a Difference a Few Years Make

Way back in 2008 I published a post about eliminating the grass in our front yard. Along with that post I included the photo shown above and talked about establishing the bones of this new garden space.

Today I was snapping pictures of different spring ephemerals blooming in that same yard and was startled to see the difference. The comparison speaks volumes about patience and the reality that the gardens I like best build over years with each new addition having it's own story. I did buy some of these plants, but many were also given to me by friends and family. So if you are starting a new garden this spring, take heart. This same shot will be even more lush in another month or two. I think even Lady approves.