My first visit to Plum Island yesterday. Birders and Bicyclists out in numbers on a warm, calm day. There were only a few late asters blooming, but the leaves and grasses were resplendent. On the muddy flats on the marsh side we saw many Greater Yellowlegs dashing, swimming, and spinning. No pictures, alas. Birds stymie… Read more

This is Isodon effusus, the Japanese Spur Flower- a late bloomer. Here it is in the Bow Garden. In the South it is a re seeder.It is sold as Zone 6a. This garden is Zone 5b, but plants can do surprising things. And another striking blue late bloom- “Blue Monday” annual salvia.