August is not this garden’s best month. Since I no longer have a vegetable patch, I don’t experience that plentiful harvest thing. Except for tomatoes. I grow them in pots, and this has been quite a productive year.
Otherwise, things have that dry and rattly look.
There are a few exceptions.
Dahlia “Bishop of Llandaff” and Delphinium in new flush of growth
Today I saw developing buds on my Chinese witch hazel. One branch has managed to grow into a spot that gets a bit more sun than the rest of the plant, and so will bloom next winter. The Convolvulus sabatius I thought was killed last winter is alive and well (although small), and yesterday I potted up seedlings of Gaura lindheimeri. Now the trick is to get them through the winter. For some reason I have had trouble with this plant in recent years. I don’t know if it’s because of late cold snaps (such as last February’s -9 C) or excessive wetness in the dormant season. I do have more seeds if this batch fails.
I see I have mentioned winter several times in this post about late summer. Yes, I am actually looking forward to winter, which here is green and wet, a refreshing change from endless sunshine and drought. Before that, I hope, we will have the delightful season I think of as spring-in-fall, with shorter, cooler days and rain. Many spring-blooming shrubs put out a few blooms then and the garden seems to sigh with relief. Certainly the gardener does.
My “Fragrant Cloud” rose (a rather feeble specimen growing in a pot on its own roots, not grafted) escaped being eaten by deer this summer, so is blooming again.
Rose “Fragrant Cloud”
These dark red sedums have likewise been spared by deer, even though they are in the unfenced front garden. It seems to me that deer have distinct preferences; a couple of years ago sedums had no chance, but these have been blooming for weeks.
Audrey Driscoll's Blog 
Hello,
Please excuse my writing to you here in the comment box. I can’t see where else I can contact you.
I see on the blog of Chris The Story-Reading Ape that you have offered to read and review.
I am an Australian author of eleven titles. Despite my best efforts, sales are slow, and I would really appreciate additional reviews.
My latest title, ‘Love, Desire and Betrayal’ has been reviewed by Chris (who rated it at 5 stars.) Would you consider reviewing this title? It’s a four-novella romance collection. I will supply you with a pdf.
Another title that Chris has reviewed is ‘Encore’. This one he rated at 4 stars. It’s a collection of romance vignettes and short stories. Again, I am happy to supply a pdf.
Thanks for your consideration,
Regards,
Margaret Lynette Sharp
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Hi Margaret,
Please accept my apologies for taking so long to reply.
I would be happy to read and review one or both of the works you mention. I could begin with the four-novella collection; depending on how that goes, I may read the other one as well. A word of warning — romance isn’t my genre, either as a writer or a reader, so I may not read from the perspective of one familiar with it.
Would you expect me to post my review to Amazon or Goodreads, or send my comments to you directly? Please email me at: Audrey.d@telus.net.
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Wonderful Photos! …Your garden is gorgeous, mine left at the beginning of July …too hot this year even for Texas …the ground seemed to hold the heat long into the night so roots couldn’t cool off…
I love your rose…Fragrant Cloud has an incredible fragrance….( I suppose thats why it is named that way 🙂 )
Thank you for sharing your garden with us…I will wander in it when I get the “ho hum’s ” of mine 🙂
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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I’ve heard that in Texas and the South summer is a time to “get through,” like winter is in most of Canada. Here in Victoria, BC, it never gets really hot or cold. And yet I find things to complain about — like not enough rain in summer. Last Tuesday we got almost an inch of rain. I was happy; still am, in fact, even though we’re back into hot weather (for us) — about 80 degrees today.
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I’m glad others can see the best of my garden.
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