And then it rained...

It's been quite a while since my last update on the garden. September turned back to hot and dry after Labor Day weekend and the garden was just looking sort of pitiful. I took a few pictures a week ago on Friday and a couple more Sunday morning since I can't bear not to take ANY pictures.

This is Miscanthus 'Cabaret' on the 24th just coming into full bloom.



I never finished the cleanup from last year in the big bed- especially in the center where goldenrod, wild ageratum and the Turk's Cap reside.



I transplanted this Celosia spicata in the thick of summer from where it self seeded next to the house. Out of three that I moved this is the first to bloom. The burgandy foliage makes the seedlings easy to identify and save from being weeded out(although that's not nearly the problem it used to be here:~).



I couldn't resist the buds on my biggest clump of Georgia Aster~ can't wait for them to open.



This~ as all of the above ~ was taken on the 24th with at least a couple more buds. One bloomed in the rain yesterday.



The only highlight to the Sunday morning pics was this wild Morning Glory since I was soon distracted and then...


******IT RAINED!!!!!!!!*********

heavily as you can see by this sprawled out version of the same Miscanthus 'Cabaret'




and the saturated deck boards under Meike during one of the few times she's been able to go out this week.



I really wish I had a rain gauge but suffice it to say we got alot,lol. Maybe I'll see some open blooms from the Swamp Sunflower this weekend:)

Blooming Friday~ Happy Day!

What is particularly happy about this day is that I am at home! On Friday. Unheard of for me in the past couple of years. Ah freedom...

to spend hours behind the lens...



to forget what time it is...





and enjoy the late arrivals...





to take a kajillion pics of these asters and still not do them justice...



and take the time...



to appreciate it all..today.



For more blooms from around the world visit Blooming Friday.

First Day of September 2009

After a hot weekend and a gloomy Monday the first day of September dawned to one of those perfect fall weather days. The air was crisp and the sky beautifully clear. It was gut wrenching to get dressed and leave for work but it had to be done.

I started Salvia transylvanica from seeds a few years ago and it has reseeded around my garden nicely since. The main bloom is usually in Spring but I have sporadic blooms throughout the season. This one has the "wings" of an Asclepias seed captured at the bottom of the bloom stalk.



A wide view.



Pretty when blooming but one to be watched. I've managed to keep the Garlic Chives from reseeding for a few seasons now.



Cameron at Defining Your Home Garden had an article featuring Feather celosia- Celosia spicata- Fluff and Stuff. This is the foliage of one of mine that has reseeded for a few years here.



I finally planted Salvia greggii 'California Sunset' this weekend. Here it is in the garden with a visiting bee.



For some reason my Abutilon megapotamicum stays small even though it's had a few years to settle in. I still like it in this location though and think I'll try another plant elsewhere to see how it fares. The bunnies love to nibble the stems in cold weather and may be the reason it's stunted.