Canna Durban, also sold as Phasion Tropicana is quite a beauty. The foliage alone is worth having this plant in your garden. The contrasting orange bloom is just icing on the cake. Generally safe to USDA Zone 7b winters, you should dig them up if your winters are colder than 10 degrees. Moist soil and plenty of sun will make them happy.
Our Pink Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) did well this year. They look best when they get full sun but this isn't bad for partial shade.
Native Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), is a tough plant most associated with roadside ditches. It can reach 8 feet if cared for but for best results, when its about 4 feet tall, cut it in half. It will send up 4 to 6 shoots off the main stem and bloom in a mass clump. It also keeps it short so you can see the blooms. The genus vernonia was discovered in Maryland by William Vernon, a 17th century botanist and entomologist that came to the United States in the late 1600’s. Pollinators love it.
A large bumble bee munching away on Ironweed pollen.
A large, two tone Cleome.
A late white Pinky Winky Hydrangea bloom poking through a White Moth Hydrangea plant in its fall color pattern.
This is a closeup of a White Moth Hydrangea in its fall transition color. Very nice.
A nice Pinky Winky Hydrangea bloom transitioning to its fall color pattern.
This is a group of flower spikes from Heuchera Pistache.
A closeup of fuzzy Purple Ageratum.
