juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN: As August Wanes...

As August Wanes...

Almost as if taking its color cue from the pink geraniums at its feet, this sedum has begun to assume its autumn tint...

One of many butterflies seen around our yard today finds pleasure on this bloom.

This dragon fly is gathering solar power. Tonight it will glow brightly in front of our house (see a recent post for the night view).

These black-eyed Susans SHOULD have been deadheaded or trimmed today. I just hate to see them go! They've been steady bloomers throughout a most hot and dry season.

14 comments:

Jacquelyn StagerAugust 27, 2010 at 5:01 PM
well I hope to get my act together and do something neat in our yard next year. this blog is inspiring, Rebecca! Nice new look too!
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Wanda.....August 27, 2010 at 5:01 PM
I have a lot of Black-eyed Susans and Coneflowers that need deadheaded too, but I like to watch the Goldfinch attack them for the seeds.
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Antique ART GardenAugust 27, 2010 at 5:43 PM
I love your hummingbird too, cannot believe it is the end of August, take care ! Gina
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tinaAugust 27, 2010 at 6:21 PM
Those brown eyes are nice even though they are going by now. The dragonfly is really quite neat. I love those LED glowing things. They all look so nice in your garden.
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creekside rummagerAugust 27, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Hi Rebecca - sorry to hear it is warming up in your area again. We absolutely scorched 2 days this last week. I love autumn sedum and I love your little bug lights. Can you tell me where you got them?? Please. Thanks.
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RebeccaAugust 27, 2010 at 6:43 PM
The buglights were a gift. But I'm pretty sure she said she got them at one of the "Big Box" stores--Lowe's or Mennards or Home Depot?
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RebeccaAugust 27, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Wanda! I'll have to keep my eyes open for goldfinch. I don't believe I've seen any in our yard. But I have TONS of black eyed Susans!
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Gardener on Sherlock StreetAugust 27, 2010 at 8:20 PM
Our sedums are starting to pinken too. I keep watching the asters to see if they have buds also.

BTW--Nice photo for your profile!
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RebeccaAugust 28, 2010 at 2:30 AM
"Sherlock", Are your asters the BLUE kind? I'll keep checking your blog to see them for myself! (I've been wanting some of those blue asters for a long time...just never willing to part with the $$ when I see a good pot of 'em.)
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Gardener on Sherlock StreetAugust 28, 2010 at 5:44 PM
My asters are purple and I got them free at a garden club's plant giveaway one spring. They're probably not the ones you're looking for but I'll post photos for you to check out. :-)
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RebeccaAugust 29, 2010 at 3:01 AM
Thanks, "Sherlock"! I'll come over to your garden to see. I say "Blue"....to me, that is the color but maybe another person would call them "purple"....
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Catherine@AGardenerinProgressAugust 29, 2010 at 1:36 PM
I love watching as the Sedum starts to change. I noticed ours taking on a reddish color too. The Black-eyed Susans are just peeking here right now, I just love them. Love the solar powered dragonfly too!
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UnknownAugust 31, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Rebecca, Thanks for the visit, by the way you look Great!!!! Castor Bean seeds are a bit expensive 50 cents each seed. I am going to save the seeds from mine if it words I will let you know. Your blog is refreshing Meg
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is ContagiousSeptember 5, 2010 at 10:05 PM
I cannot believe all of the butterflies in my yard this year. The other day, out of my kitchen window, I saw a royal blue colored butterfly on our lilac bush leaves. I wish I had my camera close by to catch a photo.

I love your hair cut Rebecca. I haven't been by your blog in awhile. It's nice to see you again.

Lee Ann
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To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. William Henry Channing 1810-1884

Irises come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes and the sword-like foliage is attractive when the plant is not in bloom. The genus Iris is a large genus of bulbous and rhizomatous perennials.

The Iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow because of its many colors.
A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.
Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues.
The Iris was also a favourite flower of the Moslems, who took it to Spain after their conquest in the 8th century.

Bought at a local plant sale, Spring of 2009 Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 18 inches high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.

I'D PICK MORE DAISIES
If I could live my life again
I'd be a little lazy
I'd stop this rushing to and fro
And stop and pick more daisies
Through all the lovely summer months
Though days be clear or hazy
No more to fret over tasks undone,
I'd stop to pick a daisy
Not so important what I did
This fact time now discloses
While running through life's garden green
I'd stop to smell the roses
If I could hold my little ones
The children in my care
I'd scold them less and love them more
With so much love to share
If I could pass this way again
Though folks might think I'm crazy
I'd work and worry less, but I'd
Take time to pick a daisy
The rush of life has passed me by
Now I have leisure hours
But time has taken such a toll
It's too late to pick the flowers.

Mildred F. Rowe

MEASURE YOUR HEALTH...by your sympathy with morning and spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you--know that the morning and the spring of your life are past. Thus may you feel your pulse. (Thoreau)

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on the trees and flowers and clouds and stars." (Martin Luther)

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the garden of God
It's climb is from weakness to knowledge and power,
To the sky from the clay to the clod.
To beauty and sweetness it grows under care
Neglected, 'tis ragged and wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender, but wondrously rare,
The sweet wistfull soul of a child.

Be tender, O Gardener, and give it it's share
Of moisture, of warmth and of light,
And let it not lack for th painstaking care
To protect it from frost and from blight.
A glad day will come when it's bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty and sweetness untold
In the sensitive soul of a child.

...Author Unknown

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,
With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host:
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guard the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle-day,
All needful weapons there.

Oh, may I love Thy precious Word,
May I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glen,
May light upon me shine!
Oh, may I find my armor there!
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

(Edwin Hodder, Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord)