The End of Summer

As Labour Day approaches, and so very quickly passes, we suddenly find ourselves facing the end of summer. I find this time of year to be somewhat depressing, even though I do enjoy the Autumn season immensely. There's just something about the shorter evenings, cooler nights, and the so very slow but glorious decline of the garden that causes me to pause with some sadness and reflect on a summer gone by.

In any case, here's another set of shots from the Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens...

From the main parking lot, as one begins to enter the gardens, they pass a beautiful grass border in front of some giant conifers.









































Of course, at this time of year, most of the grasses are at their peak. Here's a couple of their "flowers" or plumes, in some pleasant lighting.














































Here's a Helenium in all her glory, named in fact, for Helen of Troy, but the connection between the two is somewhat ambiguous. Its common name of Sneezeweed, on the other hand, comes from the fact that the plant was originally accused of causing late summer allergies. It is however innocent to this charge, but does bloom at the same time as the actual culprit, Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.). In any case, it's an unfortunate name for such a beautiful, late summer plant.























Another late summer "beauty" is Physostegia virginina or Obedient Plant. In good, rich garden soil it has a tendency to run, particularly if the gardener does not have the ability to be ruthless on an annual basis. Its common name comes from the fact that bent stems "obediently" remain in position.























One of a couple less common plants is Gentiana clausa, or the Bottle Gentian. It is native to much of Eastern North America, including parts of Quebec. It is typically known for its flowers that appear to remain closed, but in fact, a small opening at the top is just large enough for a bee to squeeze in and look after business.


















Another rarity is Kirengeshoma palmata or Yellow Waxbells, one of a few perennials from the Hydrangea family. Its horned fruit is of some ornamental interest, and is described by Allan Armitage as "Stephen King-like".


















In the Rose Garden, they have some beautiful plantings of annuals and "tender perennials"...























...including Ricinus communis, the Castor Bean plant, here with a Begonia around the bottom. It is propagated by seed so there is considerable variability in leaf and stem colour. This particular plant has beautiful red stems.









































Another beautiful tender perennial is Cynara cardunculus or Cardoon. For silver and textured foliage, it has to be near the top. Apparently this plant goes back to the fourth century BC. In addition, both the flower buds and the stems (stalks) are eaten. In places like California, Australia and Argentinia, it is considered to be a weed.


















Finally, a few shots of a couple of magical combinations of Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) with Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Plumbago, Blue Leadwort).




























































Here's to dirt under your nails... for a few more weeks. Don't forget to plant more bulbs!

Mark, the coolplantsguy

Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens, August 24, 2009

Here's another set of shots from the Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens in late August. I had just discovered the macro function on my little digital camera, so there is a slight emphasis on close-ups.

Good ol' Echinacea purpurea with a Bumble Bee doing its duty.


















I'm fairly certain this is Hibiscus 'Kopper King' -- an outstanding hybrid by the Fleming brothers of Nebraska.


















One of the several dark-leaved Canna that are available these days. I almost find the clash of colours a little garish -- but to each his own.























Another shot of a back-lit Ensete leaf. I have a hard time resisting taking another picture of these plants every time I see them -- they are magnificent.


















I believe the correct name of this plant is Canna 'Phasion' but it is also known as Tropicanna™ or 'Durban', 'Inferno' and several others. It's history is almost as colourful as the plant itself.























Of all the forms of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), this one called 'Prairie Sun' is my favourite by far for its consistent form and height and outstanding colour.


















This is another plant that fascinated me early on -- the Turtlehead or Chelone sp., a genus of four species native to much of eastern North America. Although some suggest otherwise, I think the flowers do look like a turtle's head. Our native species here in Ontario, C. glabra, has flowers that are usually a lighter pink (almost white) than the one pictured below, and can be found in sunny, moist locations.


















Here's Sedum sieboldii 'Mediovariegatum' again, this time nicely back-lit.























Here's a pleasant pink Japanese Anemone, probably A. hupehensis, a valuable plant for the late summer garden, but yes, it does spread a little in good garden soil.























This Agave americana (Century Plant, American Aloe) caught my eye with the interesting "water mark" down along one side of a leaf. I know of some people using syrup or nectar of this plant as a healthful natural sugar substitute.























I can remember seeing this plant, the Castor Bean (Ricinus communis), for the first time many years ago, and being instantly impressed by its size 2-3m (7-10'), and colourful foliage. I'm not sure why this plant remains so elusive in the retail environment, as I find it irresistible.























Here's an interesting, back-lit shot of the seed-heads of Chasmanthium latifolium, the Northern Sea Oats. While it does seed itself around quite a bit, it is still a useful grass -- it is one that can certainly tantalize most of the senses on a quite summer evening.























This is a cool close-up of a flowers from Ligularia dentata. A biology professor could make good use of this to teach his/her students all the "intricate" parts of a flower! ;)























Finally, good ol' Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln', the popular Fountain Grass in all its glory.























Here's to dirt under your nails -- summer is quickly coming to an end.

MPD, the coolplantsguy