A Garden Stroll

Good morning! Let's go for a late summer garden stroll. Some of the seasonal annuals and perennials are beginning to fade while the autumn plant material is just starting to get going.

We are enjoying the season's last few day lilies.

Both yellow and orange marigolds are going strong and will until autumn's frost. These happen to be at my mother's and they are the largest I have seen! The "lemon drop" blossoms are nearly the size of the palm of your hand and they are gorgeous.

Our Tardiva hydrangea is still in its glory, but slightly fading. It is a favorite of pollinators and at any given time, you will find multitudes bees, butterflies and wasps swarming around the blossoms. 

Little Lime hydrangeas are still looking lovely. At this point in the season they begin to develop tinged tips, which I think enhances their attractiveness.

Early last fall we bought five aronia shrubs. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that they are great pollinators.

The splash plants (polka dot) still look fresh and colorful.

Raise your hand if you love zinnias. I don't know why I don't grow more of these since they are such a good cut flower and attract butterflies. I recently did some research on a great variety and my plan is to grow a nice stand of them next year. The few I had this year never really wowed me as they remained compact in size and produced a less-sparse flower. They are, however, still blooming.

The geraniums are fading a bit,

as are the butterfly bushes,

snapdragons 

and salvia. They're all still pretty, though.

I find anything in the rudbeckia family to be so sunny and cheery. When the flowers dry on the stalk, they provide tasty seeds for the songbirds who overwinter here!

The vinca plants don't seem to mind that summer is coming to a close. They remain full and colorful.

Supertunias are still showy!

This is the first year that I have grown caladium (also known as "the heart of Jesus") and I am thoroughly enjoying the pretty foliage. I will definitely dig up the bulbs, store and replant them next year.

Look at this random leaf I found while on the stroll. It is a prelude of what's to come...

Be blessed!