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:)

A Welcome Reprieve

After a wicked hot summer this Labor Day Weekend was a breath of fresh air~ literally. Blue skies, wispy clouds...

...a relaxing breeze...




What have we here?



A perfect perch!



'Cripple Creek' still going...



Some fresh new blooms on the Dianthus.



and a return to more summer like weather today.



A wonderful three day weekend♥

August's End

This August has been a month to remember in my personal life and although I don't have much of a subject for this post on the gardening front the simple recording of images- moments in time are comforting and worth sharing.

My last post had a teaser image of rebloom on one of my favorite performers~ Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' has returned for an encore.



My Energizer Bunny analogy for Daylily 'Cripple Creek' is still dead on. It's the only daylily in the garden that's even thinking about blooming right now.



The white form of American Beautyberry is at its brief peak for berry viewing.



This enthusiastic member of the Ipomea clan is trying to claim it's territory in a young Curly Willow.



Since I've learned how to create textures for use in Photoshop from my own photos I've been even more aware than I am normally of this attribute in the garden. The Georgia Aster has always been a favorite for its form~ here it is gearing up to bloom.



And the wabi sabi award for texture goes to this photo of fuzzy yucca seedpods with lovely bokeh.



Bring on September!

Blasted Garden(Snowflurry in July)

It's not just me~ since the beginning of June this summer has been a real scorcher. The garden is crying out for attention that I can't give it. There will be casualties but some recent rain has helped many plants revive and a few plants are just survivors anyway.

A little Verbena 'Snowflurry' in July is a wonderful thing. This plant amazes me with its transient nature. It dies out here and pops up there with fresh blooming plants appearing at any time of the year~ willy nilly,lol.



This is what I would expect to see thriving in this weather. This sedum was a special trade with Gardenweb friend Nancedar. I'm afraid I haven't labeled it so its identity is in question. Have yet to see blooms from this one.



You can't keep a good wildflower down. Rudbeckia triloba is a welcome sight with fresh blooms and a visitor.



The bronze fennel has been a pleasure this year for the gardener and the insects. Black Swallowtail caterpillars in all stages were feasting on Tuesday morning.



A little less than perfect but the bees still love the Bog Sage~ Salvia uliginosa.

My casualties from last year's round of new plants from Plant Delights Nursery were numerous~ this new ironweed, Vernonia lettermannii was not among them.

The last of my Bachman seedlings to bloom~ this was the last flower:(

and the Energizer Bunny award for daylilies this year goes to 'Cripple Creek'~ I can't praise this one enough. Mwah!

Appreciation

Even though Autumn is a wonderful season in NC the shortening days have a way of bringing on the blues. I decided the best way to combat them on this Monday morning is to look for the beauty in the season.






Daylily 'Cripple Creek' is still going.



Viburnum 'Emerald Luster' and White American Beautyberry



Rudbeckia triloba



Mexican Bush Sage



More blooms from 'Journey's End'



Japanese Beautyberry



Miscanthus 'Cabaret' towers above it all.