I've been waiting and waiting for some of my favorite plants to burst into bloom. Some of my plants have been in bud form forever, it seems. Each day I look for even the slightest hint of an impending flower. Do these plants realize they are growing in Michigan! Don't they know we're now into September and first frost could come any day now.
These are some of the plants that are teaching me patience:
Mexican Bush Sage is not hardy in my zone 5. I have it in a pot and although Mexican Sage is drought tolerant I water it daily. I can see hints of brilliant purple peeking out from the gray-green lance shaped leaves. Its normal bloom period is September through first frost.I'm anticipating another purple bloom, Tibouchina (Princess Flower, Glory Bush). This plant is a native of Brazil. While waiting for Tibouchina's beautiful flowers I'm appreciating the uniqueness of its multiveined, silvery green leaves that look like velvet.
Every year I cross my fingers and pray that we have a fall that is warm enough for the Pineapple Sage to bloom. Hummingbirds love the firey red tubular flowers of this herb. The consolation for the lack of flowers is, of course, the intense pineapple scent of the leaves. I have used fresh leaves of pineapple sage in fruit drinks and iced tea. I've read that the flowers can be used in flowers and desserts.
Asked to name a fall blooming plant and the probable answer would be Aster. I have New England Asters, most are purple but some are pink. Oh yeah, some are white and look a lot like tiny daisy.
My over-wintered Brugmansia has been blooming for a few weeks now. The flowers are huge and pale yellow. However, the "Brugmansia Collection" I ordered in the spring are not blooming yet. One plant does have lots of dangling buds. I'm anxious to see the different flower colors of the new plants.
Turtlehead, Chelone, produces spikes of pink flowers that resemble the head of a turle. Hence the name. My Turtlehead is not planted in an obvious place so I need to remember to look out for the blooms.
The purple leaved Cannas have not bloomed and possibly will not bloom. But that's okay because the flowers of the green leafers are much more interesting and beautiful.
Canary vine (Tropaelum peregrinum) has little bird-like yellow flowers. It's a native of Ecuador and is related to Nasturtiums. So far, the vine has made it's way up the trellises and has wrapped itself around neighboring plants.
Every year I cross my fingers and pray that we have a fall that is warm enough for the Pineapple Sage to bloom. Hummingbirds love the firey red tubular flowers of this herb. The consolation for the lack of flowers is, of course, the intense pineapple scent of the leaves. I have used fresh leaves of pineapple sage in fruit drinks and iced tea. I've read that the flowers can be used in flowers and desserts.
Asked to name a fall blooming plant and the probable answer would be Aster. I have New England Asters, most are purple but some are pink. Oh yeah, some are white and look a lot like tiny daisy.
My over-wintered Brugmansia has been blooming for a few weeks now. The flowers are huge and pale yellow. However, the "Brugmansia Collection" I ordered in the spring are not blooming yet. One plant does have lots of dangling buds. I'm anxious to see the different flower colors of the new plants.
Turtlehead, Chelone, produces spikes of pink flowers that resemble the head of a turle. Hence the name. My Turtlehead is not planted in an obvious place so I need to remember to look out for the blooms.
The purple leaved Cannas have not bloomed and possibly will not bloom. But that's okay because the flowers of the green leafers are much more interesting and beautiful.
Canary vine (Tropaelum peregrinum) has little bird-like yellow flowers. It's a native of Ecuador and is related to Nasturtiums. So far, the vine has made it's way up the trellises and has wrapped itself around neighboring plants.
