Summer growth

Summer is here.

After a hot start to July, the last week has been a nice break in temperature with the occasional shower to help plants along.

The pressure of finishing up any remaining installation work that has carried over from spring is contrasted with the peace of seeing established landscapes that are thriving. Landscapes that were planted in previous years have been able to establish strong roots and have no problem with the heat of summer.

Liatris of Blazing Star is one of my favorite summer perennials. The flowers are gorgeous spikes of pink-purple and the individuals blooms have a shaggy texture. I really like the way they combine with Amsonia and its fluffy chartreuse texture, White Gaura with its airy stems, and the yellow dots of Rudbeckia.

The clusters of flowers start blooming from the top and then work their way down. They leave tons of seed on the stalks as they dry out which birds enjoy and the wind also spreads throughout the landscape.

Their showy blooms make an impact in summer and then fade until returning the next season. It’s nice to catch them in bloom and appreciate them during their season, before other plants come to the forefront.

If you are driving between Wayne and Villanova on Parkes Run Lane in early summer, you might notice this fenceline planting in bloom.