My Late-Summer Garden

As much as I hate to admit it, my garden is starting to decline. Oh sure, there are lots of plants still looking good and I suppose I should just focus on them. But as I walk my borders, I'm beginning to see yellow leaves and spent stems. Given that it's September now and this is totally normal, I shouldn't let it get to me. But it does. I don't want summer to end. 

This pretty rose, 'Carefree Spirit' is going strong. The bees love this rose as much as I do.

The Japanese Anemones are abloom. 

This one is called 'September Charm' and it is. What do you think, Mary Clark? 

This one is 'Pamina' from another spot in my garden. 

This is a new Aster this year for me. 'Monch' is making me happy with its
clear, light periwinkle-blue blossoms.  

The tiny, red and yellow blossoms on this Nemesia are very fragrant.
On warm days, I walk out to the scent of floral baby powder. One of the few annuals I can't be without.

This planter is outdoing itself. The Fuchsia is 'Island Sunset'. 

These little tassels are adorable. I bought them in May as plugs at Fry Road Nursery. 

I got the pinky Impatiens on clearance in early July. I love the little two-tone flowers. 

On one of my nursery treks with my sister earlier this summer,
I found Clematis herlacifolia. It's just starting to bloom. I love the elegant bells and dark stems. 

This is 'Golden Herald' Fuchsia from Fry Road. I recently planted Sedum oreganum in front of it. 

Finally, this Dahlia decided to bloom. I really like it though so I guess it was worth the wait.

I hope you're all enjoying your late-summer gardens. 

Confession

ALL OF YOU SOUTHERNERS, I hope you're happy, basking in your balmy temperatures and blue skies and warm sunshine. I hope you're enjoying yourselves in your non-winter bliss while us northerners are imprisoned in winter's icy grip.

Wah, wah. Yes, I confess. I'm a weather wuss. I don't like it when it's cold and this is why I live where rain is more common than snow and ice. And rain is what I expect and anticipate. I don't like it when it turns cold.

So what is there to share besides my winter's discontent? Well, how about photos I took a few weeks ago of one of my favorite plants? Yes you say? Okay. Here goes.

Presenting: MOSS

Here you see moss living on logs that were once attached to a Sweet Gum tree.
Isn't it lovely? 

Reminds me of 1960s shag carpet, only way better. 

And then there's this Lichen stuff. 

We call it "Elephant Snot" at our house. 

Like moss, Elephant Snot likes to attach itself to Sweet Gum bark. 

Sometimes moss likes to grow in the little cracks of things. 

Especially in a location that gets a lot of rain--like western Oregon. 

It's a work of art and I would never, ever remove it. 

Finally, I walked outside one Saturday a few weeks ago and noticed something very peculiar on my 'Pamina' Japanese anemones. I hadn't deadheaded them and the seed pods opened up!

They look like foamy bubbles. 

The tiny seeds remind me of tadpole eggs. 

Cool, huh? 

So, I've got all my tenders protected. I either brought them inside or left them outside but close to the house under a blanket on the covered patio.  Are you ready for winter? And southerners are also welcome to comment. Hugs and love to all.