August is when your garden is in a “blaze of glory”! The blooms light up the landscape for your summertime enjoyment. Dahlias have gorgeous flowers in bright colors, yellow and orange sunflowers and celosia have spiky blooms. Lantana is showy too with their delicate orange and yellow blossoms which the butterflies love. Don’t forget the zinnias that always bring a happy smile and the colorful coleus foliage with bold orange and yellow splashes.
Take a minute and pat yourselves on the back for planting and nurturing such a happy scene for you and your neighbors to enjoy. This is a good time to take note of what you want to add or change for next year. Take some pictures of your yard and garden now so you have a record of what you did.
If you feel you would like to view a bigger display of gardens in bloom, take a ride and view the displays at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. Don’t miss viewing the displays of “treehouses”. The kids will be fascinated!
The Minnesota State Fair will soon be here. There is a floral design contest by professionals on August 30 and 31 in the Agrictulture/Horticulture Building . The theme this year is to create a fresh flower arrangement that expresses their favorite song. Can you imagine what the “Beer Barrel Polka” flower arrangement would look like? While at the State Fair, don’t miss the display by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and get a great tote bag! By the way, the MSHS is 150 years “young” this year!
