Overview Ohio Fall Gardens Sept Oct 2013

Just breaking dawn with mostly rainy weather for picture taking. Has been a very different year compared to last, but much more appreciated with the additional rainfall. I only needed to water 3 times this year compared to last year where there may have been 3 days I didn't have to water.

Overview of the Japanese Maple Fireglow with surrounding Hosta and the Pinus s. Glauca Nana on standard. The beautiful Hydrangea blooms in the background on the other side of the path.

The bottom corner of the garden with the foliage still showing on the Iris, Daylily and Sedum. You can see the small Picea p. Glauca Globosa surrounded by Coreopsis and Heuchera.

Hydrangea Limelight off to the right of the corner along with a few others already mentioned.

The red Double Knockout Roses are still in bloom here. You can count on them no matter what.

On around to some of the Ninebark Diablo's and the lovely Hydrangea Pinky Winky and Hydrangea Quickfire along with the big Hosta garden. I added a few new shrubs to this area but they aren't real noticeable yet. Will be something new to look forward to next year.

The Caryopteris Blue Mist shrub is putting out lots of blooms now, with Sambucus Black Lace behind it.

Was outside one morning very early and Pagan ran over to the potty pad to potty and looked down and sniffed and when she moved I saw the little toad. Got my camera and got a shot. I think it's actually one of those tree toads. There were 2 under the patio, but the other one I took the photo was on concrete and it didn't come out very well.

Hydrangea Hosta Daylilies August Gardens

Hydrangea are blooming in the gardens. June always brings Quickfire blooming and July has the others blooming with TarDiva being the last to do so. To the right of them is a new shrub I just added, Fothergilla Mt Airy. I still have to add something to the right of that but nothing has struck me for it so we'll see what I do there. Still waiting for some of the Hosta to grow up here. A couple more years and this area should be just what I wanted.

Hydrangea Pinky Winky and Hydrangea Quickfire with Daylilies to each side, entering into the Hosta garden.

The pink Mums have been blooming since the first of July. The burgundy ones are blooming elsewhere in the yard. You can see Hydrangea TarDiva to the left here.

Hydrangea Limelight. Still one of the most spectacular Hydrangeas to own. The blooms are always spectacular and showy.

Hydrangea TarDiva is less showy than Limelight, yet I like it's more delicate blooms and is a little different than the bolder paniculatas.

Hydrangea Pinky Winky is one that I just adore since adding two to my gardens, the blooms are spectacular.

Hydrangea QuickFire I love for it's early blooming each year in June. The blooms quickly go from white to the pinkish shade and are delicate looking. I have 3 of these in the yard and they all look great this year.

Hydrangea Vanilla Strawberry has been in for several years now. I'm not happy at the slow amount of growth and lack of fullness. It really should have done better this year with the amount of rain we have gotten. I will watch it another year or so and see what it does.

Hosta Japanese Maple Lavender July Ohio

This Spring and Summer has been a world of difference from last year. No drought, although a lot more days in the 90's than in years past, but we have had lots more rain than we've had in numerous years and the plants sure appreciate it.

This side of the yard and the biggest garden area is really starting to fill in since changing to mostly flowering shrubs 3 years ago. I think a couple more years and it will be what I have envisioned.

The back line has been a little more frustrating. It's taking longer to fill in. For some reason the shrubs are growing a little slower, of course it's not all the same ones or they've not been in quite as long. I was hoping they'd all take a big leap this year growing, but so far just small amounts.

This side is doing a little better with it's growth also, although I still have to add one more shrub in the Hosta garden. The Japanese Maple here is Emperor 11 and is new of last Fall so it has a way to grow before it provides shade for the Hosta.

One of the Lavender plants in full bloom, I love these, you can smell them from quite a distance and it's wonderful. They are also evergreen here in zone 6.

Just to share, here is a photo of my Yorkshire Terrier, my newest Champion Quent. Relaxing before a show!