Tuesday View August 2, 2016
Cathy at Words and Herbs hosts the Tuesday View, encouraging garden bloggers to post a photo of the same view of the garden week by week and note the changes.
This Tuesday view shows the early morning garden at 7:14 a.m., under an overcast sky. Several storms this week brought welcome rain, but one also knocked down the larger of two Rudbeckia laciniata (Green-Headed Coneflower) against the fence.
There are fewer flowers this week. The biggest change I notice this week from last is how brown the neighbors’ sycamore tree has become. At center behind our fence in the photograph, this Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) is often brown and unsightly by this time of year, but until now it had seemed fine this summer.
One of the first things I planted in the meditation circle was Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue), used to form a wall at one of the turn-arounds help guide walkers along the path.
Meditation Path with Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue) at lower right.
This penstemon is evergreen and has proved to be reliable and has produced lots of new plants. They show up in random spots. I leave them for a while and eventually move them into other parts of the garden.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Another penstemon planted at the same time has a lovely purple flower but has proven much less hardy. It is Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple.’ Only one has survived through the years, but I am trying to nurse and encourage it. This summer it has done well and is reblooming now.
Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ and Angelonia ’Serena White’
Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ and Angelonia ’Serena White’
To wrap up this Tuesday view I must mention the angelonia as it continues to brighten up the meditation circle.
Angelonia ’Serena White’ with Angelonia ’Serena Purple’ in the distance
Thanks to Cathy at Words and Herbs for hosting the Tuesday View. Check out her featured view and those of other gardeners.
pbmGarden 
I love the balance and serenity in your garden, Susie. The penstemons are looking well in the sea of thyme (sounds poetic, no? ;D ). I’ve really come to appreciate Angelonia in the garden – a great performer as yours shows. Your neighbor’s sycamore looks like it is getting ready to pack it in for the year. 😉 From now on, I guess we’ll be seeing more of these signs … 😦 Ah, well, we’ll enjoy summer while we can.
Thank you Eliza, so kind of you. The garden is a nice retreat when I need to find balance and serenity. All too soon for me the garden is definitely retreating and wanting a break.
I love that Angelonia, what a little beauty. Thanks for the hug that you sent via Christina- the same to you dear Susie.
You’re welcome! Sweet of Christina to be my messenger. I know you two must have had a grand time together.
Yes, the Angelonia really deserves a mention! 🙂 It stands up to your heat so well, and I immediately noticed again how it defines the circle and makes it look fresh and calm. That was a good choice! The sycamore does look sad. Our sycamore trees also suffer if we have a hot summer. Thank you for sharing your view again Susie!
Thanks for hosting Cathy. The angelonia does everything I want in a plant. It is fun to put them into the soil and get my hands dirty, but after that it doesn’t need me very often, still looks colorful and makes a good cut flower. Too bad about the sycamores.
The Penstemon and the Angelonia complement each other well. I’ve been pleased to couple of Angelonia here burst into bloom, apparently responding to the uptick in my watering schedule.
Oh yes, it’s looking wonderful and inviting! I wish I could come visit you and sit and read a good book in your garden. It looks so relaxing. 🙂
There may be fewer flowers but everything looks great!