What a Soggy Mess!

In the past week, we've had a lot of rain. And a pretty strong wind storm too. Despite the weather drama, I have been able to sneak in time to get things planted. I still have more to do, of course. Don't we all? 

On Thursday, garden buddy Carol and I went to our local nursery's fall sale. Wow, talk about good stuff. 

Among other things, I bought this huge 'Peppermint Swirl' Hydrangea. 

Look at the flecks of darker pink and white. I love it. 

After losing one of my Daphne odora to last winter's nonsense, I was happy to find this $5.00 replacement!
Yes five bucks for this beauty. Daphne odora 'Mae-jima'. 

I just love the fuzzy-wuzzy look of my Chenille Plant. (Acalypha pendula 'Firetail')

I know I keep showing photos of my Fuchsias but I LOVE them. 

This NOID Fuchsia has never looked better. 

Geranium 'Elke' decided to put out one last blossom. 

Mimulus x aurantiacus 'Cherry' 

A water-soaked Honeysuckle blossom

STILL blooming, Coreopsis 'Mercury Rising' 

My Cup and Saucer vine is also still blooming. 

As are my Alstromeria. Can you believe that?

Rain-soaked and leaning, Salvia 'LaTrinidad Pink' is a trooper.

Arbutus unedo usually starts blooming in December but this year it started in September and is still going strong.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' is happy. 

My Tetrapanax didn't get quite as tall as I wanted but that's okay. 

There are lots of new leaves on my Acanthus mollis. 

Red berries on my Skimmia japonica. 

Cotoneaster microphylla has berries too. 

"Welcome" is such a cliche but when I saw this sign for two bucks I bought it. 

Reality check

Finally, a very blurry photo of a Canadian geese fly-over. 

As the Summer Winds Down

Summer isn't at all interested in shoving off and allowing autumn to take the stage and for this I give a wholehearted standing ovation. The drawback to its senescence is the threat of wildfires. Although none were burning close by, the smoke of a distant burn was directly overhead all day today. It was awful. Thankfully the winds have shifted and we can breathe deep this evening. It's a bit unnerving.

Here's a few happy plants.  

One of many Dianthus I've had in the garden for years, putting out a rare late-summer blossom. 

I've never grown Kniphofia because I'm not a fan of the usual orange color.
I do, however, love its structure and form and when I spotted this soft yellow
one at a plant sale last weekend, I grabbed it. (Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle') 

I planted a small plug of Cup and Saucer vine last May.
Finally it's blooming. 

Even the buds are interesting.

The first blossom has fallen but what a sweet way to depart, don't you think?
Directly into the Nicotiana foliage. 

I also found a replacement for the Pitcher Plant I lost during last winter's cold.
(Sarracenia x Wrigleyana 'Scarlet Belle') 

Isn't this new, pink-flowered Delosperma cool? 

This industrious honey bee sure thinks so. 

Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash' is in bloom again. I've found that giving
it water every now and then makes it happy. (Duh, right?)

Ditto for my roses. Here, 'Knock Out' puts out a perky cluster of goodness. 

And look at how happy my Clemmy 'Pagoda' is! 

One of my favorite flowers.

Yummy

I've had this rose forever. I am ambivalent of its existence but on rare occasion
when it blooms, all doubts evaporate.

There is something kind of magical about Kale, don't you think? 

This is the new birdbath I bought on Craigslist for... wait for it....
Twenty dollars! 

My youngest daughter Susan has no qualms about helping out
a sleepy bumblebee. 

Eventually, after gently setting him down on a leaf, he woke up and flew away.