If It's The 15th, It Must Be Bloom Day!

Here at Wit's End, it seems like Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day sneaks up on us each month.  At least the Head Gardener and I have an excuse this time: we've been battling a nasty cold virus that sapped us of energy and led, as it inevitably does, to a bout of bronchitis.  We've spent very little time in the gardens this past week but we are happy to report that we're on the mend.  We felt well enough to venture out with camera in hand and capture images of some of the many blooms on this corner.

Number one on our list of plants we need more of: Asters!  Aren't they glorious?

Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra) may be the #1 heat- and drought-tolerant plant we grow. This is just one of several that sailed through summer.

Rose 'La Marne' responded quite positively to last Sunday's rain.

 Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) is another summer stalwart.

The pollinators are giddy with delight over the abundance of blooms.

True confessions time: I'd planned to paint the inside of the fence around the back gardens this month.  Because it would require removing the vines so the painters could work, I've postponed the project until there's not quite so many creatures dependent on the vines.

'Belinda's Dream' is blooming but she had a rough summer & it shows. Those leggy canes of hers aren't attractive.  I'm hoping some judicious pruning at the right time will result in renewed vigor.

In the midst of this thicket of Turk's Cap 'Pam's Pink' and Mexican Bauhinia (B. mexicana), I  spotted a splash of  violet-red and made a happy discovery.

A lone Clematis bloom, variety unknown. Gorgeous, isn't she?

I fear the bottlebrush bloomed just a few days too late for the hummingbirds.  

Butterfly Vine (Mascagna macroptera) may be the definition of acid yellow. 

Cuphea 'David Verity' in front of Panicum 'Ruby Ribbons'

Dwarf Pomegranate blooms are embarassingly voluptuous.

Miniature Hamelia has smaller leaves and bloom clusters than the big-leaved varieties. The blooms are beyond plentiful, though.

I don't know why I thought I didn't like Ice Plant (Delosperma).  The starry yellow blooms are enchanting!

Cosmos, Castor Bean (Ricinis communis) and Texas Sage 'Rio Bravo' are a gaudy combination on the corner.

The bees are abuzz over Justicia 'Fruit Cocktail'.  

I bought a Patrick's Abutilon at Barton Springs Nursery in Austin last year.  I've had limited success with Abutilons before so I'm delighted this one is doing so well.

If asked to name my favorite fall-blooming perennial, I'd be lying if I said anything other than Toad Lily (Tricyrtis).  They're not showy but I adore them beyond reason. 

I plan to add more of this Scutellaria 'Fuchsia Fountains' out front.

As always, a tip of the trowel to the Head Gardener at May Dreams Gardens, who originated Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.  Check out the links to other bloggers' posts!