Gentiana ‘True Blue’

It is now mid-September and time to note the flowers in bloom for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day.  For the most part it’s the usual suspects.  An exception is the Blue Lobelia that I grew from seeds distributed by the Scottish Rock Garden Club this Spring.

Lobelia siphylitica

It grew easily from seed and looks like it will have a long term role as a perennial in the garden.

Another newcomer for the season is the pineapple sage.  It’s just starting to flower now and it’s brilliant red flowers are real eye-catchers.

Pineapple Sage

Another red flower that is a head-turner is the red Dahlia, Bishop of Llandaff.

Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff

It’s not supposed to be hardy for us, but I left it in the ground last year and it has come back even better than before.  We’ve had dozens of flowers over a long season, much more than if I had planted it from scratch this year.

Another flower with a very long season is the Alstroemeria ‘Sweet Laura’.

Alstroemeria ‘Sweet Laura’

Ever since we discovered Peruvian Lily hybrid was hardy in this area we have been amply rewarded by growing them.

Among the nice surprises of the season was to see this little cyclamen popping up with no leaves showing as yet.

Cyclamen hederifolium var. confusum

The New England Asters are just now beginning to flower with their dark purple flowers and golden centers.

New England Aster Purple

The gentian that heads this posting is forming a substantial mat of strong blue flowers.

Gentiana ‘True Blue’

Both the spring and fall blooming gentians share strong coloring on the outside of the petals and detailed coding when you look on the inside.

Gentiana ‘True Blue’ on the inside

The Celosia continue to dominate the front flower bed.  I had no idea that these would be four foot high when I planted them.

Cramer’s Amazon Celosia

And the toad lilies just go on and on with their flowering.

Tricyrtis ‘Autumn Glow’

We have been blessed by an abundance of butterflies this year, partly stimulated by a magnificent showing from the Mexican Torch Flower (Tithonia) in the cutting garden.

Butterfly on Tithonia

But there are other critters around the yard when the Macro lens goes for a walk.

Triangle Orbweaver (Verrucosa arenata)

Praying Mantis face-on

I think the mantis is saying ‘What’s growing in your garden?’  Check out other gardens for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day.