Combinations for Late Summer - II

Fall has come, but my heart hasn't caught up yet.

These photos from early September highlight

some great late summer plant combinations.

Hot pink Cleome blooms

burst like fireworks over

Purple Haze Hyssop (Agastache 'Purple Haze'), above. 

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaeeum 'Rubrum')

joins in to create a winning trio.

Reblooming Stella D'Oro Daylilies (Hemerocallis 'Stella D'Oro), annual Salvia, Blackeyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm') and Blue Fescue (Fescue glauca) make a bright group.

For a more subtle palette, combine

pale blue Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Small Spire)

a white variety of Purple Coneflower (perhaps Echinacea purpurea 'White Natalie'), 

the still green flower buds of Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy') and

Blue Star (Amsonia ciliata) foliage beginning the change to autumn yellow.

A blue Butterfly bush (perhaps Buddleia Blue Chip Lo and Behold)

looks great with

Sedum Autumn Joy (foreground and rear right),

a purple leaved Ninebark (foreground - Physocarpus opulifolius variety), and

Purple Coneflower (back middle - Echinacea purpurea).

Still neutral here, Autumn Joy Sedum's
rosy blooms steal the show come fall. 

See more great Autumn Joy Sedum combinations here.

For more late summer combinations, see: 
Combinations for Late Summer I
Combinations for Late Summer III
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Combinations for Late Summer - I

Late summer can be a bit sparse in the garden. 

Many perennials are past their prime and

annuals may be losing steam.

I've found some places around town that are

still going strong with great late summer combinations.

The terraced front garden above is a good example.

Nicely planted with a succession of blooms,

it's pretty all season long.

Take a look at what was happening there in late August.

Pale pink Phlox (Phlox paniculata) fills in as

Purple Loosestrife, front, (Lythrum salicaria) begins to wane.  

Vivid red Feather Celiosa (Celosia argentea - Plumosa group) and

yellow Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm') 

add a punch of color.

UPDATE:
Thanks to Pam's English Cottage Garden
for pointing out that
Purple Loosestrife as a very invasive plant which is banned in many states. 
Read about it here and here.

I hadn't used or seen Purple Loosestrife in many years,
but have seen it several places this summer, looking so innocent and pretty. 
Unfortunately, I used an outdated reference book for this post!
Yes, I have newer books, but turned to an old favorite.... lesson learned!

Cleome comes into its own at this time of year,

billowing gracefully behind

Purple Loosestrife and Purple Oxalis.

Pink Knockout Roses and

purple Sweet Potato Vine

complete the scene.

More late summer combinations see:
Combinations For Late Summer II
Late Summer Combinations III



God's Garden in Slovakia

No, these aren't more photos from

Austria - see pics from that part of our trip here.

While Slovakia's High Tatra mountains cover less land area,

they're also quite spectacular. 



Photo by J. Harris

We were blessed with the opportunity to

return to Slovakia as part of the leadership team

for a youth camp this summer

in the shadow of the High Tatras, 

a glorious corner of creation.

 

Photo by J. Harris

  

Photo by J. Harris

"...the hills are clothed with gladness. 

The meadows are covered with flocks and

the valleys are mantled with grain;

they shout for joy and sing."

Psalm 65:12

 

 


Photo by J. Harris



Once again, several of these photos are

happily shared by our

team photographer and good friend,

J Harris (see her fantastic shots of Austria here).

 

Window boxes are great.

 
 

Photo by J. Harris

 

Slovakia offers peaceful countryside...

Orava Castle

...and ancient castles hinting at long ago battles.

Spissky Castle ruins.



Archive photo - Window box on our home in Slovakia.



 While living in Slovakia, raising my children there, 

the people and land stole my heart.

If you ever have the chance, be sure to visit.