75 In Gardening

Growing Now – September

September has been a month full of sunflowers blooming, butterfly sightings and the last of the vegetables ripening.  As summer slowly turns into fall, it’s time to reflect on this year's gardening season.  My butterfly garden proved to be a big success, not only attracting butterflies, but also dragonflies and so many other beneficial pollinators.  I started to really see my hard work pay off this month with many visits from different types of butterflies.  My zinnia garden has really taken off, full of different colored blooms.  It has been absolutely perfect for cuttings.  

Along with all the success, there were also a few things that didn’t work out as planned here in zone 6a New England.  I planted cucamelon seeds, and although it heavily vined along my trellis, it didn’t produce any fruit.  The vine, in itself, is beautiful, so I am very happy with that.  I may have to try planting them in a different location next year and also a little bit earlier in the season.  I also had some trouble with my pattypan squash.  I enjoyed an abundance of blooms but not very many fruits.  Some fruits also fell off the vine before ripening.  They were mighty cute though! I’m thinking of picking a sunnier location next year.  This year, they seemed to become shaded by my enormous tomato plants.  

All in all, it was a wonderful growing season.  I alway learn so many new things, and I am definitely already looking forward to next year! This month, I am linking up with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens.  I invite you to enjoy what’s blooming now in my garden. 

Sunflowers add some end of summer cheer!

In the zinnia garden

I've been getting daily visits from the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly.  
There are two that seem to travel together all the time.

A video of the Great Spangled Fritillary stopping to sip nectar
from my 'Cut and Come Again' zinnias.

'Purple Prince' zinnia

Here is the Spicebush Swallowtail. If you look closely,
it almost looks like blue glitter is sprinkled upon it's outer wing.

Hibiscus Heaven

This year, I was lucky enough to be able to trail some fabulous plants from J Berry Nursery.  As a cold climate gardener, I have to admit I always tended to stay away from tropical flowers like the hibiscus plant.  I feared they would be too difficult to grow here with Massachusetts short growing season.  The Patio Party line of hibiscus plants has changed my mind!  Not only is it a prolific bloomer, the blooms it produces are show stopping.  

'Party Crasher' Hibiscus

'First To Arrive' Hibiscus

These hibiscus plants boast multiple blooms at a time.  I haven't gone a day this summer without seeing a spectacular new flower open with ease.  The robust plants are perfect for adding a splash of color on a porch or small deck.  They have both been growing wonderfully in containers.  Since they are in pots, I can easily bring them in during the winter months.  That way, they will find a new home on my window ledge safe from frost.  

Diamonds, Tiaras & Jewels 

Along with the hibiscus plants, J Berry Nursery sent me some Deja Bloom azaleas.  When it comes to shrubs, azalea bushes have always been one of my favorites.  One thing about azaleas that has always frustrated me is the lack of bloom time.  You only get to see the shrubs full splendor for such a short time that if you blink, you may miss it.  As soon as I received my 'Red Tiara' azalea bush, it started blooming and hasn't stopped since!  Flowers are always reappearing and keeping me absolutely wowed.  This azalea is compact, so it can be planted in a container or directly in the garden.  I also received a 'Pink Jewel' azalea bush.  Although it hasn't bloomed as often as the 'Red Tiara', I have been enjoying it's gorgeous lush foliage. 

'Red Tiara' azalea bush puts on a show all season long.

Another plant I am trialling thanks to J Berry Nursery is the Black Diamond crape myrtle.  These flowering hedges add some drama to the garden with black foliage and bright neon blooms.  The two varieties I received are 'Mystic Magenta' and 'Purely Purple'.  Seeing it's gorgeous dark leaves has drawn me to want to learn more about this plant.  The rainfall has been sparse this summer, so these drought tolerant plants have held up well in their containers.  I am happy I get to enjoy these plants for years to come. 

In The Rose Garden

'New Dawn' climbing roses

'Julia Child' floribunda rose

Sweet Autumn Clematis & More

There is truly nothing better than seeing delicious smelling 'Sweet Autumn' clematis bursting with blooms mid September.  It is a spectacular flowering vine that I look forward to seeing all year long.  It seems to be growing stronger and getting bigger with every year that passes by.  

The top of my sweet pea vines surpassing the white trellis.  
They did better than ever this year!

Who doesn't love volunteer broom corn?
I can't wait to incorporate this into my fall decor. 

I'm hoping for a few more harvests before the end of the growing season.  I will be growing a few fall crops and can't wait to see how they do.  I will definitely be posting updates on my fall vegetable garden progress here.  I'm so happy I have been able to trial and grow different varieties of plants.  I am thrilled that I am continuing to expand my garden horizons!

How has your own garden done this summer?  I'd love to hear about your garden triumphs in the comment section below.  Have you been inspired to grow something different next year? Tell me all about it here or tweet me @thefreckledrose.  Wishing everyone a happy September and a fabulous fall! 

In Case You Missed It - In The August Garden

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75 Comments

  • Reply
    Villroses hage
    September 20, 2015 at 5:49 am

    Nice captures!
    I had no Sunflowers nor Zinnias this year. Miss them!

  • Reply
    Gunilla
    September 20, 2015 at 5:36 am

    Gorgeous captures of the butterflies and the flowers!

  • Reply
    Lisa Wildgoose
    September 20, 2015 at 2:41 am

    Lovely bright flowers 😊

  • Reply
    Donna@Gardens Eye View
    September 19, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    Such lovely flowers….and many butterflies enjoying them too. Here it is the monarchs visiting on their way south.

  • Reply
    Mammasaurus
    September 19, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Ah the colours! Sunflowers and sweet peas are my favourites, they are just so jolly you can’t help but look at them and smile. Such great close ups of your beautiful garden – thank you for sharing x

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you for your kind words! Have a wonderful week ahead 🙂

  • Reply
    DeniseinVA
    September 19, 2015 at 9:58 am

    What a spectacular garden you must have. Your photos are gorgeous and I thank you so much for sharing them with Today’s Flowers. Have a great week 🙂 Denise

  • Reply
    Jen
    September 19, 2015 at 1:24 am

    How very beautiful! With each section, I was saying, goodness I love that flower! No, I love THAT flower more, no these are my favorites. Gorgeous! I need to investigate those crepe myrtles. We have them down here, of course, but I’m looking to put a bunch along our front fence line (crepe myrtles on one side of the fence with sego palms & knock-out & drift roses on the other). Those are different, and I think they would make a lovely impact. Thank you so much for sharing them with us at Photo Friday!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm

      Hey Jen,

      I totally know what you mean! It’s hard to pick just one flower as a favorite. They are all so beautiful. That sounds absolutely lovely! They are such unique plants with gorgeous foliage. Have a wonderful week ahead.

  • Reply
    Ruth - Tanama Tales
    September 18, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Beautiful photos! I will like to spend a day at your garden.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you Ruth! If you ever find yourself in the New England area, let me know 🙂

  • Reply
    Ida P. Krause
    September 18, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    Wow your garden is awesome. So many beautiful photos. Loved the Butterfly and the video. Also the Broom Corn which I’ve never heard of, it’s really pretty.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks Ida! Have a wonderful week 🙂

  • Reply
    Ruth Daly
    September 18, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    The flowers are gorgeous but wow, those butterflies! Amazing shots. I really enjoyed your post – great photos!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you very much Ruth! Have a great week 🙂

  • Reply
    Coralie
    September 18, 2015 at 3:48 am

    First off, I have to say that I love your blog theme! It’s so delicate!

    Secondly, God, those flowers! I love them! You took some amazing shots!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you Coralie! I appreciate your kind words 🙂

  • Reply
    bettyl-NZ
    September 16, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    This is a wonderful variety of beauty! The colors are just wonderful.

  • Reply
    Sofie Vandersmissen
    September 16, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    You have a beautiful garden!

    Thanks for sharing this post and giving me the idea to also participate!

    I just started a new blog last week about gardening and crafting. You are always welcome visit if you want.

    Greetings, Sofie
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/2015/09/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-september-2015.html

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:51 pm

      Hey Sofie,

      Thank you so much! I’d be happy to visit 🙂 Have a wonderful week.

  • Reply
    KalynsKitchen
    September 16, 2015 at 11:21 am

    Your photos are gorgeous!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you so much Kalyn! Have a great week 🙂

  • Reply
    artmusedog and carol
    September 16, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Wonderful macro shots ~ Garden is certainly beautiful ~

    I am from the coast of MA ~

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      September 30, 2015 at 12:46 pm

      Thank you so very much! Always happy to meet a fellow New Englander 🙂 Have a wonderful week.

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