"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Getting ready for change.

As much as I love spring and summer I find that I'm looking forward to fall already.  The garden is still looking good and it seems that I'm almost enjoying it more now than I did for a lot of the summer.  The highs have been in the 60's and are predicted to stay there for the week.  We had some rain during the week which gave the garden a good soaking, I've hardly had to water this year which is the exact opposite of last year.  By this time last year the yard was pretty much yellow leaves and dried up sticks, this year it's still green, although some of the flowers in the full sun area didn't like the variation in heat and are on the crispy side.  This summer seemed to come in 3 day increments where it would go from the 60's up to the 90's for a few days and then drop back down again.  An unusual summer for sure.
As I did a little cleanup yesterday in the backyard, I stopped for a while to just sit and "be".
  I'm usually so busy working in the yard or worrying about something that I rarely take the time to just enjoy it at that moment.  I noticed that the light is changing.  Our backyard is shady and with such a cool summer I realized we didn't spend that much time back there, we tended to be in the front yard where it's very sunny.  Now there is a bit more sun during the day when the sun shines from a different angle.  I saw that the squirrels are very busy gathering their seeds and nuts already.  I've barely seen them in our yard all summer and suddenly they are back digging and running off with something in their mouths.  

 We saw at least one new baby fish in the pond.  Even though we find some every year it's still fun discovering a tiny little fish darting out from under the lily pads.  The pads are beginning to yellow, but I saw at least one new flower bud making it's way to the surface.  The fuchsias are having a great year, just loaded with flowers.

 I'm starting to focus on late summer/fall bloomers when I plant shop.  Sweet Pea chose this beauty for the front shady garden that I've been rearranging - Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta) 'Empress'.  She sure does have good taste!  I actually even bought my first bulbs as well - Allium 'Purple Sensation', I had such good luck with them this year I knew I wanted more.

As empty as the shed garden still looks I can see that almost all of the plants are doing really well here, aside from a deciduous Azalea that seems to require a lot of extra water.  I'm adding to our house repair/wishlist list "electricity to the new shed".  Probably not something that will happen anytime soon, much more practical things need to be taken care of first ☺, but still I can dream for now.  I'm picturing myself hiding away out there during the late fall or winter starting seeds or something fun like that.

 The pollinators have not slowed down yet, they must not notice any changes coming.  The Skippers are busy and seem to love the Lavender.  I had no idea it would attract these guys when I planted them last year.  I found a butterfly on the Daphne 'Summer Ice' which has not stopped blooming since late Winter, I'd never seen a butterfly on it before. 
I've also noticed an increase in bird activity in the garden.  There always seems to be a lull in visitors mid summer, but not now.  The Chickadees, Nuthatches, Juncos and Hummingbirds have been at feeders, birdbaths and the pond.

 I'm sure hoping the tomatoes are getting ready for a change.  This has not been a good year at all for them.  I'm starting to find quite a few green ones and am crossing my fingers that they eventually turn red.  These are the 'Tigerella' variety that I started from seed.

 With more rain predicted for the next few days I'll be lighting the new pumpkin spice candle and reading through the new garden magazines, all which seem to be filled with pretty fall container ideas.  Time to start planning how I'll change the containers on the deck...
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34 comments:

  1. Yes, I have noticed the light changing also. But it is the most beautiful time of year, next to spring.

    Your garden looks amazing, the less then stellar summer heat has been kind to your plants.

    What a pretty garden shed.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  2. Dear Catherine, Like you, I somewhat welcome the approach of autumn in the garden for it does, whilst the days are still pleasantly warm, offer a respite from the routine work. Also, the urgency of spring and summer diminishes.

    Your garden continues to look very good indeed and I am surprised to see how the border in front of the garden shed is beginning to fill out and mature. You must be pleased.

    Allium 'Purple Sensation' is a wonderful bulb to grow. I love the way it soars over other spring plantings. Rosemary Verey at Barnsley House used to mass it under her Laburnum Walk. Sensational.

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  3. Yes, the light is changing, and is a welcome change, hopefully cooler temps will be here soon too.

    I love the picture of your pond with the fuchsia blooms, and your toad lily is beautiful!

    Enjoy the change of seasons.

    FlowerLady

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  4. HI Catherine - Your garden is gorgeous. I am sure that it is a place that you really enjoy!

    Jane

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  5. Yes, your garden still looks good! We are starting to get some red tomatoes, but oh, so slow!

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  6. Catherine,

    The garden pond is very calming in your garden, no question about that. Love the toadlily too. Last year we did great with toadlilies, this year we have yet to see them give a show.

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  7. Autumn is my favorite season. I'm glad you had a chance to just enjoy your garden and take photos to share with us. I love the light on the back garden and the fuchsias around the pond are so pretty. Sweet Pea did good choosing the today lily! I love that. I have always wanted a garden shed and yours is just perfect. Hope you realize your dream to get elec. there one day and enjoy your quiet time planting seeds. The cool temps and rain you are having are perfect for browsing thru garden catalogs and smelling the fragrant pumpkin spice candle. Enjoy~

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  8. That lily is incredible...how beautiful!! I wish I could grow those here:)

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  9. The toad lily is striking! And the look of your back yard is so calm and inviting.

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  10. The light changing really is a sign of the season's progression, it's always funny when you start to really notice it! Good taste in deed...Toad Lilies are just beautiful...so delicate-looking.

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  11. Yes, the garden is late this year here in the Northwest. I've just now seen pea shoots thriving and producing flowers. Our temps on the coast never reach the 70's, so no luck at all with tomatoes, but peas and beans should have been prolific just the same. Unlike you, I do not look forward to the end of summer.

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  12. That's a beautiful toad lily, I've always wanted one, but for some reason haven't bought any. I haven't wanted to admit that fall is coming, the summer was so strange. Well, at least winter here isn't like it was back East, I will still be able to see my garden. I've been thinking about buying some bulbs, maybe some Stargazer lilies. I did a lot of watering this summer, everything is newly planted and I wanted to make sure it survives and gets well established. No red tomatoes here either, that is so frustrating. I think I will do some things differently next year with them.

    The fuchsia by your pond is beautiful, and your shed garden is looking good too.

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  13. You're right the light is really changing and it seems in the morning I have to wait forever before I can go outside - if it's not freezing that is. We've had such cold mornings and hot afternoons my sinuses don't know how to act!
    When we first moved here I planted about 200 tulip bulbs and that spring about 5 showed up - guess the critters had a feast. So for all of these years I haven't bought bulbs. Now I'm trying again and last year bought Purple Sensation. It was beautiful this spring and either the critters missed it or don't like it. Will all of those seeds make more? Or do I have to buy bulbs to get more? Talk about not knowing anything . . . ;-)
    I'm worried about those beautiful Naked Ladies the neighbor gave me - don't see a sign of them yet.
    Sweet Pea does have good taste, I've admired Toad Lilies in catalogs for years. Maybe I'll try one this year since I had such good luck with the Allium bulbs. Oh horray maybe I'll have some spring color when all of you are showing your flowers early.

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  14. My Toad lilies aren't even thinking about blooming yet Catherine. I just brought home a couple more of them from work the other day and planted them yesterday. We had a wonderful rain yesterday evening so I'm sure they enjoyed that.

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  15. Catherine, that Toad Lily is striking! I have never seen them around here so I don't know if they are hardy. The pond still looks very lush and sparkling. We are at 92 degrees again today with a little cooler weather last week.

    I did get some work done in the garden but not today.

    Eileen

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  16. I love fall, I really do, but I'm in no hurry to see it get here. The chill in the air then will fortell the end of my garden for the year, and I'll be so sad till it returns in the spring.

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  17. Oh Catherine, I am so envious of your Fuchsia! That Toad lily too! Gorgeous!! Your hummers must be out by your pond all the time. September is nearly here... change is in the air here too. Hopefully there is time for your tomatoes to change into a ripe red. ;>)

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  18. Catherine, I do think fall is here. Currently 66 and cloudy, cool mornings and I'm not sure what will happen to all those tomato plants I have in the garden. We finally harvested a few, but this is unlike anything we have experienced.

    Still no rain here, but we are hopeful. Have a wonderful week.

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  19. The toad lily is amazing. Sweet Pea,s choice is good. I love to see the pictures of your pond. Have a nice week!

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  20. Your garden is lovely... we have had an inkling of fall with temps to 48 at night and low 70's during the day... I actually felt like gardening again! Unfortunately it returned to 90 degrees and high humidity again today and we are now very dry... perhaps fall will come soon... I'm honestly wishing for that... L

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  21. Sweet pea does have good taste, that's a very pretty lily I've never seen that one.

    I have been browsing through my garden magazines.. for next years garden ideas...

    There's not much to report from my neck of the woods, I'm still entertained by my chickadees and fighting sparrows..

    So glad you are just taking the time out to chill in your garden, everything still looks nice and pretty..

    Thanks for stopping by tonight..I hope blogger works out it's comment page it's not working on my blog at the moment..

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  22. I'm surprised the azalea looks so sad. Here in Vancouver we had about 35 days without rain. Most of the rhodos and azaleas looked alright. Maybe it's just not established yet.

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  23. Baby fish! And that fuchsia is a standout. Everything in your garden looks great. We have had lots of rain this summer, too, and it has helped my plants to survive the blistering temps of August. I am looking forward to fall, but summer will be in a slow decline for another month or so.

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  24. We came home to a very dry, very weedy garden. How can those two conditions go hand in hand? It's not fair!

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  25. So glad you had the chance to sit and relax and enjoy the small things. It's needed every now and then!

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  26. Catherine,
    Everything looks so good still. Just sitting and looking is so good for the soul. We all need that now and again. I think I am going to be getting more alliums for my garden this year also, I love them dearly. Have a great week.
    Blessings,
    Kay

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  27. Hi Catherine. I'm glad that you are gearing up for the fall season. September is always such a busy time, what with getting all the kids off to school... but it is a beautiful season in the garden.

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  28. I've been taking refuge in the air conditioning all summer, and only going out to work in the garden when absolutely necessary. I'm really looking forward to some cooler days when I can actually enjoy digging and laying beds etc. without melting. While I love spring, I *really* love fall :-)

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  29. Hello Catherine,

    Fall is my absolute favorite season. I am full of preparations for planting vegetable and flower seeds soon. I think you reminded us all to take some time to pause and enjoy our gardens :-)

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  30. Hi Catherine, I understand completely about Fall. :-) It's still looking Wonderful your way, though!

    Love the toady 'Empress.' I'd not seen this one. It's blue-er than 'Blue Wonder!' :-)

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  31. Your pond is so pretty! I'm so jealous that you hardly have to water your garden. We water twice a day because it's so hot and dry. I love your garden shed. It's so cute.

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  32. Your little gardener does have good taste...it is beautiful! Your garden looks very healthy and green. Our mornings are starting to get cooler and I'm ready for cooler temps during the day, too!

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  33. Oh I just love that fushia dripping over the edge of your pond Catherine and that toad lily looks amazing - its like an orchid.

    We're in the 60's here too just now and its so pleasant to work in though the first ground frosts started this week in Scotland.

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  34. beautiful garden,photos, dog and cute rabbit!
    Kisses from Croatia.
    Zondra Art

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