Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Augusts' Last Hurrah

 

I cannot believe another month is at an end. Spring and Summer always goes so fast. Even this trying summer is all but gone now.

Bill_Warrienr2_Aug26Bill Warriner  Floribunda Rose

  Gardening has been such a struggle for the plants this year and for this gardener. With the heat and dry weather the cistern used for watering the plants went dry early and the dragging around of hoses all summer was something I mumbled about under my breath and went on doing. LOL! This was the first summer that I was tired of the garden.

Iceberg_Aug26 Iceberg  Floribunda Rose

While trying to keep the deer at bay from the lilies and other plants they were not the problem this summer but the new bugs and Japanese beetles were out to destroy the garden this year in full force.

Gruss_AnAachen_Aug26 
Gruss an Aachen Antique Rose

The roses are starting to bloom their last blooms for this season reminding me that soon the Fall leaves will be taking their place.

Ebony_Snapdragons_Aug26
Ebony Snapdragons

At this time of the year I am usually busy saving seeds for next years plantings but there is so much going on in my life at the present I cannot even think about saving seeds.

Burgundy_Iceberg_Aug26 Burgundy Iceberg Floribunda Rose

Instead my mind is planning where my garden will be next year at this time. Will there be a move in my future soon.

Gerbera_Aug26  Orange Gerbera Daisies from Seed

Even my blog writing has taken a back seat lately with the changes happening in my life. But it is all good and God has been blessing me so much lately. And I am very thankful.

Gaillardia_Mesa_Aug26 Gaillardia Mesa Yellow

The daylight hours are getting shorter now and for this gardener it is not a welcoming event. I love the longer days and the evenings spent on the front porch with a newspaper or a good book until darkness takes the reading light away and then I watch the Lightening bugs flicker about in the yard and the field across the road.

Chrysanthemums_Aug26 Fall blooming mums are now blooming earlier this summer and the garden is in need of some cutting back of spent blooms such as the phlox, daisies and bellflowers.

Liriope

A new Fall bloomer in the garden this year is this variegated Liriope.

Scarlet_MorningGlory_Aug26 It is the time now when the container plants are looking  tired and terrible and sadly need replacing with some fall blooming plants.
Seems the Morning Glories have just started blooming and now their leaves are turning yellow.

Crape_Myrtle_Aug14
The Crape Myrtle blooms are starting to fade now too and my garden is slowly going to bed for the summer.

Ligularia2
Ligularia’s bloom in the shade of the woodland bed. It has been a challenge to keep them watered and from drooping leaves this summer.
This summer will go down as one which held extremes in the weather for everyone and not only those who live in the states.
I pray all our southern gardeners are safe and ride through this tropical storm from Isaac that it now moving inland.

Lona

20 comments:

GRACE PETERSON said...

Hi Lona Dear,

I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering how you're doing since we hadn't connected in awhile. You're moving? I'll be interested to hear more. It sounds like a good move and God is blessing you so I'm excited for you. I bet you'll miss the cistern though.

I totally agree about the shorter days and the earlier nightfall. It saddens me so much. I want July back. Would you believe I've never seen a firefly? One of these years I'm going to have to go to the midwest. Maybe I'll visit you! :)

One of the beauties of gardening is that there's always next year. I hope and pray that your summer next year will be mild and enjoyable. It's no fun dragging that hose around everywhere.

Your Crape Myrtle is GORGEOUS. And I love the Morning Glory and your beautiful roses. The bumblebee tucked into Gruss is precious.

Carolyn ♥ said...

Your blooms are exquisite, Lona. Kudos to you for dragging your hose around to deliver life sustaining moisture. Surely you can hear them whispering "thank you, thank you." May you feel peace from a job well done as you face whatever it is that is troubling your heart.

Patsy said...

Your Burgundy Iceberg is a lovely deep color, but your garden has been a joy to see grow each summer.
If God is blessing your life and you make a change it will be for the good I am sure.

pogonip said...

Lona, change is seldom welcomed and usually challenging. I know you will bloom wherever you are planted! Thinking good positive thoughts for you, my friend. <3

Unknown said...

Your flowers are gorgeous as always Lona. BUT I got stuck at where your garden might be next year.....hmmm?

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this coming weekend is Labor Day weekend. Amazing, where did the summer go? Planning a move? Did I miss something somewhere along the conversation this summer?
Hope your last few days of summer are full of porch sitting!!

Serenity Cove said...

I would be happy if my flowers looked half as good as yours!!
I've never been so discouraged at gardening as this year. Not only was it the heat and lack of rain, I just didn't have the time and energy to spend taking care of it with my daughters wedding.
Hopefully next year will be better:)

Nadezda said...

Lona , your garden is blooming wonderful despite of the end of summer. The summer continues with your flowers.

Sunita Mohan said...

Beautiful pics as always, Lona. Even if you do say that the garden was suffering. Those blooms definitely look like they're quite happy.

Kukkaiselämää said...

We have the same situation. We're selling our house and garden, because my husband is working in another city now. So I don't know about my future gardening either...

Your flowers and pictures are so beautiful! How's your puppy?

Sunray Gardens said...

Really lovely Lona. I so love your Crepe Myrtle. I put one in last Spring. A small one. It lived over the Winter but we know last Winter wasn't a true example of the weather. It's small and didn't bloom this year, but everything is so burned up that half of my stuff didn't bloom. Hoping next year it grows and blooms.
Cher Sunray Gardens

RURAL said...

It's been such a hot dry summer for so many gardeners, and like you said, not just in the US.

It shows in the leaves, the grass, the trees....we need a new season to sweep away the sorrow of a sad summer.

I am looking forward to Autumn, and fresh new colors.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Sue said...

Gardening was a challenge this summer but lately it seems to be a challenge every year just for different reasons. Even though I do appreciate the cooler weather of late August, I'm also not fond of the shorter days both morning and evening. Come back 8:30 sunsets!

sharon said...

I just found your blog...how envious I am for your setup is pure perfection...my kind of blog...I wish I knew how to do it..the pictures are great!

Karen said...

The floribunda rose in your top photo is gorgeous.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Lona, your roses are always gorgeous. Mine are still suffering from the Japanese Beetles. I wish we could grow Crape Myrtle here. Snapdragons are not used enough, they take the cold and the heat, will definitely use more of them next year.

Eileen

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Well, the flowers that are left are looking good, at least from the perspective you showed. ;o) I like that burgundy rose.

Our heat is back this week, but I've been thinking that since the days are getting shorter, and the nights cooler, so maybe it won't be as hard on the plants.

I noticed the fibromyalgia badge in your sidebar. How long has it been there? Do you have it? My husband has a friend who does, and his running over the years helped slow the progression, even though to others, his gait looked like he had no business out there.

I hope the changes you were referring to go smoothly. Where will you move to if you do?

Jennifer said...

It has been a tough, hot summer. Everyone, not just you seems a bit weary of gardening out there in the blogosphere. Already I notice the shorter days and falling leaves. As much as I am tired of summer, I don't relish the prospect of winter. I hope you have a great long weekend Lona! My thoughts too are with the people facing the big storms.

The Redneck Rosarian said...

Hard to believe another August has come and gone. Cooler days ahead....

Anonymous said...

Hi Lona.
I can 100% empathize with your feelings about the heat & drought this year. It's been our hottest, driest summer too. Every single day I've had to water just to keep the garden alive. Even so, I'm sad it's already September because I know the days outside are now limited. I hate the thought of another long winter but I know we need moisture even if it comes in the form of snow! I hope next summer is a little more "normal" whatever that is anymore...
I will be interested to follow your journey ~ I might have missed something since I've been absent ~ I can't imagine you leaving your beautiful garden so chock full of gorgeous plants?! But I know changes happen so I wish you the best making that decision.