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

Thursday, September 1, 2011

September, already?

How can it already be September?  This felt like the shortest summer ever.  Since we really didn't have a whole lot of summer weather it doesn't feel as if it's already time for the kids to go back to school.  In the last few days I've begun to feel fall in the air.  It feels like it's time to start lighting the pumpkin spice candles and put a blanket back on the bed (although I don't think it was off for more than a month or so).  Luckily there are still more flowers coming so at least it doesn't look like summer is over.

 Abutilon thompsonii which I just purchased after seeing some Abutilon growing in Ciscoe's garden.  Apparently they are very easy to take cuttings and root - he said just put the cutting in water and wait for it to root.  So, that will be my challenge this year.

 I bought a start of a Morning Glory earlier in the summer has really just started blooming and growing.  I love how they seem to glow in pictures.

Golden Feverfew - I have growing in a container.  I'm not sure whether this will over winter or not, but they are so cheerful to look out at.

 Zinnia 'Persian Jewels' - The Zinnias are so short this year and just starting to bloom, very late for them.

 The Littlest Gardener and I have noticed that Daddy Longlegs (that's what we call these guys) seem to be on every Sunflower plant, blooming or not.  One day we watched one of them along with an ant and a wasp.  They were all on the same leaf and I couldn't figure out if the wasp was going after the ant or the Daddy Longlegs.  Anyway, now I wonder why they like Sunflowers so much?

 Another Sunflower starting to bloom.  The petals remind me of long blonde bangs blowing around someone's face.

 This is the bud of the gigantic leaved Sunflower that was only supposed to get to 18 inches tall.  I can't wait to see how big it is.

 A really pretty Dahlia with dark foliage.

A new rose from this summer is David Austin rose 'Harlow Carr'.  It has such a good smell and the flowers are on the small side, I love it!

Today is the first day of 8th grade for Sweet Pea!  Next week the Littlest Gardener starts Pre-K.  Time goes by quickly and there are days I wish they wouldn't grow so fast.
Is fall in the air where you are?
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

31 comments:

  1. Every now and the in the early morning there is a fallish feel in the air. Your blooms are so pretty. Love the Dark Angel Dahlia and your sunflower photos are gorgeous! Second week of school here...

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  2. September is off to a pretty start in your garden Catherine. Your sunflower photos are fab. I notice Daddy long legs spiders on mine too ~ I don't know what's up with that??
    Maybe you'll have an extended summer? I hope so ~ it sure seems like you didn't get much heat this year. My brother said he loves that tho so I guess he moved to the right place!

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  3. Everything looks well rested, and fresh in your garden. There is a plus side to this shorter cooler summer.

    And although it's seemingly short, and not as hot, there's not much we can do but savour each and every sun lit moment as we come across it.

    Too soon it's going to change, but maybe the change won't be as severe this year. That's my hope. My dream....

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  4. Hi Catherine, I switched the 'heat' back on the house yesterday, too chilly in the morning..but we've got a warm up headed our way so..maybe another shot at some summer days! Kids just grow up too fast, it's insane. Happy September 1st! Cheers, Jenni

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  5. It's hard to believe that it's September already.

    I just planted my vegetable garden, and already hurricane Katia is planning a visit! Never a dull moment.

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  6. I hear you ... how can it be September already? Love, love, love flowering maples! Yours is just gorgeous. I need to get one and try to overwinter it. I think it's time to upgrade my houseplants and keep those that will work outside in the summer and inside in the winter. You have so many beautiful flowers in September. My zinnias are just now blooming as well but they got off to a very late start. Your wonderful morning glory looks like Scarlet O'Hara? I have some but still not blooming!

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  7. It sure is cold this am! It is finally down to 65 inside for the first time in a month. I am wearing SOCKS!
    I adore the sunflowers--sure wish I planted some this year!

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  8. The wildlife must love your garden. It is beautiful.

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  9. It is hard to believe that school has already started here.They hardly get any time off here anymore. Is Sweetpea excited? LOL!
    Your dahlia Persian Jewels just look like a great Fall flower. I really like the Feverfew too.The pink dahlia looks so beautiful against the dark foliage. I grew a couple from seed and am loving them. I hope they get some bulbs on them to save.

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  10. Fall is definitely in the air here, it's been so cold the last two days. I have to agree, it really does seem like the shortest summer ever (did we have summer this year?). I can't believe it's September. I actually refused to turn the calendar page this morning, as this month it has photographs of all of our beautiful tomatoes from last year, and this year has been a terrible summer for them. Looking at your garden, I think I should give up on tomatoes, and plant more flowers though! Your Sunflowers are beautiful.

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  11. I've noticed the days getting shorter. We are expecting some cooler weather with night temps dipping into the upper 60's. We are still very warm in the day with mid 90's. I'm ready for fall. I'm already longing for next spring's blooms. My gardens are tired and hot and dry. Love the morning glory. It is so cheerful. Beautiful blooms Catherine. Time is flying for those little ones. They grow up so quick. I still can't believe I have a granddaughter turning 18 this week and in college.

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  12. Your photographs are marvellous, Catherine! You have some beautiful blooms still. I hope you still get to enjoy them all in full before your cold weather arrives. Fall, here? No, we're feeling the first flush of Spring, although today has become very mucky. Blustery, gray and some rain, but the wind is picking up tremendously as I type this up! One of those really mean and nasty winds, out to cause as much damage as it can!

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  13. Wonderful photographs as usual. I had given up on my daylily 'Stella d'Oro' flowering this year, thinking it may be division time next Spring. However, a week ago it sported buds and yesterday the first blooms opened.

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  14. O yes......summer is almost over......great colors !!..love from me...xxx

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  15. Catherine, your sunflowers are absolutely gorgeous, I just love them! 'Harlow Carr' looks like a wonderful rose, but I rarely have met a rose that I think is not wonderful ;-)! Autumn is very much in the air here in San Diego, too. The days are still very warm, but the mornings are foggy and it cools down in the evenings quickly. Also even though the sun is still shining, the intensity of the light seems somehow broken. It is a wonderful time to garden here!
    Christina

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  16. Sunflowers are so pretty. We had one but it didn't live for long. Loving the Golden Feverfew, thinking I need more pottted plants.


    Still in the 80's here and hoping winter doesn't come too soon. You know a nice looong autumn would be wonderful. Never seems to happen.

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  17. You have had too little summer; we have had too much summer. It is always greener on the other side of the fence. Everything is lovely, but the feverfew is so very happy. Enjoy these last few days with your baby. They go by so swiftly. Hugs! Bonnie

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  18. Love that Dahlia...I actually almost bought one just like it this weekend, then put it back when I admitted to myself that I had no room for it!!!

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  19. Lovely flowers. I didn't know it was so easy to propagate abutilon.
    Sweatpea must be enjoying her new school term. Have a great weekend!

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  20. Beautiful Rose! The sunflowers are just stunning, wish I had the room to grow them like at my last home.

    Eileen

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  21. The foliage of the abutilon is so pretty. I've got a couple that are holding their own through the heat and will hopefully start blooming once it cools down some.

    Best of luck to your kiddos with school...I'm with you about them growing up too quickly. Sometimes I just want to stop them where they are for a few years!

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  22. I am SO not ready for September. Thankfully there is lots still going on in the garden. I really love that deep pink morning glory!

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  23. It was really no summer at all up here. The sea fog rolled in today and it was definitely chilly.
    I wish I'd grown sunflowers - they give such a wonderful shot of colour at this time of year.

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  24. Beautiful blooms, I am crazy about the first picture! :)

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  25. What beautiful end of summer pictures. I especially love the rose-colored morning glory! I also marvel at the way they glow in pictures. I was looking at mine the other morning, though, and realized they actually do have that glow. It's like they carry the moon and sun inside them. Here are some of mine: http://wellwateredgardenjournal.blogspot.com/2011/08/morning-glory.html

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  26. I'm a bit in denial about September and back to school. :) My boys start on Wednesday so I can squeeze in a little bit more summer. I love that first flower. I planted zinnias this year but so far only foliage. Strange. I spent a lot of time harvesting lavender today so that was nice.

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  27. Catherine, Even if school is starting and fall is in the air, you have lots of beautiful flowers in your garden. Abutilon is an unfamiliar plant to me; I love that color. -Jean

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  28. Hi dear,

    Just sprinting along (which is hard to do in garden boots) and trying to keep up with your garden.

    Love it. The Abutilons are some favorites of mine (and the hummers).

    Love,

    Sharon

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  29. Love your blooms! That dark foliage dahlia is really pretty. Love the contrast with that bubble gum pink bloom.
    The kids grow up so fast! Amazing!

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  30. I love your garden is sooo beautiful, please follow me in my web.
    Hugs

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