Early Fall in the Nest

Autumn is warm and summery here in central Ohio, and the colors are slow to appear. But that doesn't mean it's not beautiful anyway! I'm always amazed at how much the world loves autumn. I'd say it's nearly more beloved than Christmas. You can definitely count me in as a fall lover. I anticipate the fall colors more than the arrival of spring, despite the fact that those same colors herald the coming winter. But we're not going to talk much about fall colors in this post, I'll save that for later this month. Instead, we'll highlight the continuing beauty of my flowers as the warmth sticks around for a bit longer.

One of my favorite parts of this season is the butterfly dance that goes on here most days. I'm not sure why it brings me so much joy to know that I've met their needs with my flowers, but it just does. I realize that they don't even know I exist, and yet it makes me happy to offer them nectar here.

Much of the garden still looks like summer, with blooms busting out all over.

But there are touches of fall too.

But I get confused when I see the zinnias blooming so well. I don't usually have problems with mildew on them, but this year it's rampant. I just choose to ignore the leaves and focus on the flowers.

But real fall is coming. Soon the trees will glow with autumn's richness, and I'll be out there snapping my camera as fast as I can. I can't wait to see it! Now if only I could hold off on the first frost, then I'd be really happy. I need to hold onto my garden just as long as can before winter arrives. Don't we all?

Letting go.....

My love of summer is no secret. It's my favorite season, by far. The long warm days with the garden in full bloom, what's not to love? But fall is coming on here in central Ohio. That means my goodbye to summer is at hand. It is officially autumn already, but many of the days are still warm and sunny. So it doesn't really feel like fall yet until you look at the trees. The changing leaves tell the real story. I'm going to have to let go of summer, and soon.

Sedum Autumn Joy with penny ball

"White sunflower with dead lawn

My garden is fading, even as the summer flowers linger on.

Picasso petunias

Lantana

But the fall flowers are taking center stage instead.

Mona Lavender plecanthrus

Hot Salsa mums

Seeded dahlias

So I need to start my goodbyes. The summer is fading fast. Summer's favorites won't be here much longer.

Summer container

Portaluca

 

It's hard. When my garden fades away, I get a little sad. During the long, cold winter, I really miss my flowers. I've planned the garden so there is some winter interest here and there, but it's just not the same as having flowers.

Sedum Angelina

Bonfire Euphorbia

It's time to start letting go, even while the flowers are still beautiful. Only a few weeks until the first frost. That's when the goodbyes really start.

Favorite foliage container

Cecile Parade rose

 I just have to remember not to cry, they'll be back next year. Wait, they aren't even gone yet! I'd better go enjoy them one more time.

It's The Little Things

It's early September, and the extreme drought and heat have faded just enough to wake up my sleeping garden. During the worst of the drought, there wasn't much to see. Now some little gems are peeking out for me to enjoy. For instance the tiny "white" sunflowers are in bloom, finally. They were supposed to be large and white, but somehow I don't think yellow sunflowers that are only one foot tall are quite the same.

My black eyed susan vines had withered away to almost nothing after growing only a few inches high. Now suddenly, one little flower appeared. It's not exactly going to make a big impact in my garden, but it's still cute.

Autumn sage recently came to my garden, and I'm enjoying the tiny bright pink blossoms. Hopefully next year they will put on a much bigger show. I've seen them planted in the median of a nearby city, thriving with no care whatsoever, so I figured I could count on them.

I thought the bicolor buddliea was a goner during the drought, but not only has it put on new leaves, it is starting to bloom again.

The world's most pitiful rose bush has put out one single lavender bloom scented so very sweetly. This is Angel Face. 

Black and Blue salvia finally starting blooming. I overwinter this in the basement every year since I'm pushing its zone. Love it!

Here's another one that spends all winter in the basement, because it's an annual here. It's Mona Lavender
Plectranthus, and it doesn't bloom until late summer. It only has one or two blooms right now, but hopefully it will keep on going until it's covered in flowers.

Even Phlox Nicky decided to come out of retirement and put out two little blossoms.

And after two years sitting in the garage, we finally installed the pretty white birdhouse on its pole.

Sometimes, it's the little things that really make me smile!