Summer

Asters, butterflies, the buzzing of bees, and birds gathered around my yard feeder. Late summer continues to be hot, hot, hot with lots of humidity and drenching rain showers. Enough rain to cause flooding in some areas of Philly and the loss of home and possessions in surrounding counties. Thank God that no one has loss their life in the flooding. As my summer vacation nears it's end the first tiny tomatoes have ripened. They'll sit on the kitchen counter till eaten. Fall decorations have started arriving in stores and in a few weeks possibly pumpkins and pansies. My favorite season of  the year is approaching.

My sister and I spent hours at the nursery yesterday basking with ooh's and ah's at the variety of plants. Plant heaven at Primex Garden Center. Couldn't buy them all but I left with another bird feeder, bird feed, 3 perennials for the yard, and a new Autumn wreath.

Couldn't keep her off of the aster and anemone and I haven't planted the cat grass I promised myself to plant; soon.

Unfortunately the perennials I choose aren't native but should do well in dappled shade although the aster blooms best in at least 6 hours of sun. Lets see how it does.

Dracena taking the place of the palm which was covered in a plant disease and throw out. Didn't want to risk infecting everything on the porch. It should do well in the house when it's time to take it inside for winter. I have 2 other varieties in the house that do well. No more palms for me besides the tiny one that I took from my mother's house when she passed 4 years ago.

The lemon on top needs to be repotted. I removed it from the cache pot to sit it outside in the rain last week and roots had grown outside the pot.

Mosquito protection for sitting on the porch. Thermacell works wonderful. Citranella bought before I located my Thermacell.

I also bought this yesterday. There she is below.

Looking forward to the yellow blooms.

The dahlia planted in the front flower bed had beautiful flowers but the foliage looked horrible and I removed it last week. No more tall dahlias in the small bed but maybe some dwarf ones. The blooms are too beautiful to miss.

Oxalis in bloom again. It stopped blooming for a while.

Second bird feeder. One for the unwanted squirrels and one for the birds. They've been waiting because I haven't been in the yard to refill  the feeder for several days. A male and female cardinal came out of hiding fluttering their wings in the air while I refilled the feeder. This is a different mix. Lets see how they like it. They've been eating faster than I can keep it filled. I'll get a large bag from my hardware store soon. Bird feed was more expensive at the garden center for a tiny bag.

Hydrangea

Miniature rose.

Beautiful day outside. Lets take a look at the flowers.

Dahlias removed and it looks a little better.

Foxglove seedlings still thriving with all the rain. I'll have to keep them watered because I cut the dahlias which towered over them and gave them some shade.

Haven't done any painting this summer but my door and stoop needs its but I'll wait until I have some paint the trim and they can do all of it. Didn't have it done during vacation but I had other more important expenses to take care of.

Didn't think tick weed would stay in bloom but it has. I'll get more for the bed next spring. The plan, only add lower growing perennials an zinnias. Looking forward to seeing what the flower bed will look like next season. Every year is an opportunity to try something different.

Honey suckle and hyacinth bean vine on the trellis.

Just had a drink of water. Wish I could save the hibiscus for next season. Maybe I'll remove it and put it in my basement till spring. That's a plan.

Norway Maple out of hand. Will absolutely have it pruned this fall. The leaves should be beautiful in Autumn.

Persian shield from Select Seeds. Maybe I'll dig it up and take inside for next spring after careful applying some insecticide.

On to the yard.

Most of the tomatoes are ripe. I have blooms so there should be another small crop coming.

Have squirrels been eating the canna bulbs again in the absence of seeds in the feeder or was it our recent storms?

Propped it up. Lets see if it lives.

Don't laugh. I know you've had hundreds of tomatoes in your garden already. I'm pleased. I have a tiny container garden in the city, trying to grow some herbs and vegetables in dappled shade. Who does that, me.

Huchera seems to be tasty to some insect, slug, snail, grass hopper, caterpillar, or something.

Gardenia bushes have survived being transplanted, both. Maybe next year I'll they'll bloom for me. The flower bed should be pretty with gardenias and rhododendron in bloom.

This turtle head plant was growing beautifully but probably won't bloom now with all the eating going on.

More mushrooms. This is the first year I've had this variety and the ones below. Sorry for the blurry picture. They've probably come in the mulch I put down.

Both feeders hung and waiting.

My version of a bird bath. Saved a lot of money from buying one. It was on the ground on it's side. Did the squirrels do that?

Added sticks for  a perch instead of the brick. I haven't seen a bird in the bath yet. Patiently waiting. Now back inside.

I had the July amaryllis and this is the August one. It's actually has a new baby on the side of the pot.

Lilies have become one of my favorites and last a long time for little money. Of course I love their smell.

Tiny yield, but I grew them.

Join me for breakfast. Coffee and cheese toast later. Happy gardening.