Last week I noted a couple of signs that summer might be winding down, readying to turn the seasonal reins over to fall. One sign was the early appearance of
spider webs throughout my garden. The other was the emergence of
Japanese anemones at my local botanic garden. I know that not everyone looks forward to the end of summer but many Southern California gardeners do. Our long hot, dry summer wears out its welcome well before the calendar registers the change of season and, more often than not, summer conditions hang on into late October. As it stands, our temperatures this week are projected to run a little higher than last week's but at least there are no major heatwaves in our forecast.
With colors of ripe fruit, my first vase sings of summer.
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| Grevilleas and zinnias shoved the dahlias to the side this week |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Dahlia 'Labyrinth', Grevilleas 'Superb' and 'Peaches & Cream', Tanacetum parthenium, and Zinnias 'Queen Lime Orange' and 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose' |
In contrast, my second vase has a fall-like feel.
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| Although still relatively short in height, my first full-sized sunflower just opened |
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| Back view: I paired the sunflower with Gloriosa daisies added to my cutting garden as plugs last month |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the top left: Helianthus annuus 'Panache', Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey', noID Lantana, Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy', and Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' |
Summer and fall both have something to bring to the party it seems. For more IAVOM creations,
visit our gracious host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
