The cooler temperatures of fall are upon us. There are still blooms in the garden though they are obviously much reduced in quantity, but not quality. We hope you get time to join us soon. One of the things I have noticed is what flowers bloom the longest in the garden. Probably the longest lasting blooming plant is a surprise - Wild Bleeding Heart. To be sure it's not the spectacular blooms we desire of a flower, but it has continued to blossom from Spring through to the present. It's foliage is also to be admired with it's almost fern-like leaves. I dropped it from the pictures of blooms, but restored it.

At the end of the series of bloom pictures are those that appear to last the longest and require minimal care (unless otherwise noted). There are not many and one is, of course, the Wild Bleeding Heart.

All pictures are the property of the photographer Charles Brown and William Belknap. They are the sole property of the photographer and may not be used for any commercial purpose. Please feel free to use them in any other way.

October 28, 2009. Texas Red Sage	October 28, 2009. Swamp sunflower
October 21, 2009. Coreopsis verticillata Route 66	October 21, 2009. Gallardia
October 21, 2009. Pink Muhly	October 21, 2009. Turk's Cap
October 21, 2009. Gentain	October 21, 2009. Sandhill Titi
September 2, 2009. Aster	September 2, 2009. American Beautyberry
July 8, 2009. Loblolly Bay	July 29, 2009. Lantana
April 8, 2009. Wild Bleeding Heart	September 2, 2009. Wild Bleeding Heart

Criteria for selection is little to no care and continuous blooming, though not at their peak the entire summer. The best performer in this category is Homestead Purple Verbena, Verbena canadensis. It is a groundcover and over the course of a summer a single plant can cover up to a square yard. It does not mind the heat and tolerates drought, though I did almost lose mine last year. Plants next to the sidewalk lived. The roots spread on top of the ground so it is realively easy to control. The other plant is probably not typically thought of being in this category - Wild Bleeding Heart, Dicentra eximia. Wild Bleeding Heart grows in both the shade garden and the sun beds. Evidently, those at the garden and mine at home tolerate significant sun. Although watering will be required under drought conditions. I would recommend light to moderate shade with morning sun preferred over afternoon sun. Although I typically think of this plant as being light and delicate, it can get fairly large up to a foot or more in width. You might also want to consider a 'Little Gem Magnolia' which is a hybrid of the Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, a native. It does not get as large, but unlike it's parent, it does bloom both in the late spring and late summer to fall.

April 8, 2009. Wild Bleeding Heart	September 17, 2009. Homestead Purple Verbena