August highlights

 HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

By Kit Flynn
Columnist

I began to fall in love again with the garden sometime in August. The garden nags at me in July, as it’s unbearably hot and usually quite dry. The plants cry, “Ouch,” believing that I should come to their rescue. I sometimes think that they never gave me permission to plant them.

August is different. The sun is a bit lower in the sky, morning light arrives later, and there can be a break in the weather. While daytime temperatures and humidity can still remain high—we still need that A/C—night temperatures may occasionally land somewhere in the 60°s, giving our plants a much-needed rest.

When the temperature and humidity are at their height in July, the plants require more water, so they must work harder and longer to stay hydrated. You will notice a definite relaxation in the garden when you go outside first thing in the morning after night temperatures have lowered. For a gardener, this is a moment to relish.

The roses have roused from their July semi-dormancy and have begun to rebloom. This has been particularly noticeable this August as we’ve had plenty of rain so growing conditions are no longer as tortuous. ‘Dark Desire’ (one of my all-time favorites), ‘Summertime’ and ‘Louis Philippe’ are all celebrating. ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ is truly effervescent. And I am falling in love with my roses all over again.

My smoke tree, Cotinus coggygria, has surprised me by resmoking. Usually, it puts out these blooms in the late spring but now it’s intent upon exhibiting a splendid repeat of a show. If you don’t have a smoke tree, look into acquiring one, as it’s a handsome tree, albeit a subtle one. Turning a lovely red color in the late fall, its long-lasting smoke blooms delight me throughout the summer. It can nestle quite comfortably with other trees but please do not place it under the telephone and power lines.

There is one particular hosta I grow for its flowers. A Plant Delights introduction, Hosta ‘Branching Out’ is a delight when it begins to bloom in August. I much prefer those hostas that bloom late as they remain looking great throughout much of the fall, whereas by the early fall, early blooming hostas are clearly yearning for their winter sleep. ‘Branching Out’ is a relatively plain green hosta until it begins its floral display. Then it becomes a hosta to relish.

The Phlox, ‘Jeana’, ‘Robert Poore’ and ‘Delta Snow’ all look great – no powdery mildew yet – and their attraction for butterflies and bees is delicious to behold. The butterflies in my yard tend to be swallowtails while I swear that the bees are a bit drunk on the phlox nectar.

The Amarcrinums are appearing – here is a bulb everyone should have if they have (and I have to say it) well-draining soil. This union between a crinum and Amaryllis belladonna, the only true amaryllis, is magical I think. Producing long-lived blooms, these bulbs begin blooming in August, lasting well into September. What more can you ask of a bulb?

Photo by Kit Flynn.

The Begonia grandis are in one word: incredible. I used to think that it was self-seeding as it does spread. However, it spreads by another method. Small bulb-like bulbils, about the size of a small pea, form in the leaf axils, eventually falling to the ground where they will sprout into a new plant in the following spring. The plants are what I call “tactful spreaders” in that they don’t crowd out already existing plants – and they are very easy to pull out.

While I disapprove of the anthropomorphizing of plants, I shall state that there is a degree of innocence that I always associate with Begonia grandis. It will start blooming in July but really comes into its own in August. I can only add this: Try it as you will love it. Plant it in a semi-shady spot or one that gets protection from the afternoon sun. It will spread to sunny areas where it will survive provided we get enough rain although the leaves may burn. It will not survive in a sunny area during a drought such as the one we experienced in June.

Another small-flowered plant that I adore is Spigelia marilandica. This native plant blooms in the spring – and then always surprises me by putting out additional flowers in the second half of August. According to Tony Avent, it will flower more when placed in a sunny area although it also performs well in light shade. This is a plant that will expand in width if happy, but seeding is not a problem.

Here’s the thing about August. The garden is beginning its yearly transition into fall. Yes, it lacks the showiness that flourishes in June. Rejoice that the plants have survived the height of the summer. Some, like the early blooming hostas, are just plain tired. The peonies aren’t particularly happy. The roses are exclaiming that they are still in contention. My elm tree is intent on beginning its yearly leaf dispersal. The days are getting shorter while the showy plants, such as the lilies and crinums, have finished showing off.

My advice is to recognize the changes, and marvel that any plants could survive the heat, humidity and Debby while savoring those smaller plants claiming their presence in our gardens.

This reporter can be reached at Info@TheLocalReporter.press