A stroll on an August afternoon

I took a little stroll with my camera this week.

The 'Victoria Blue' Salvia is looking its finest.

The Potentillia has been blooming since June!

'Scentimental' re blooming

Nicandra

Dahlia

A late volunteer Poppy

 A few shots of the back garden, with the Autumn yellows starting to take over. I see 2 future garden expansion projects jump out at me in these photos....

 Sharing with Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday!

Fertilizer Friday - August 24th

Another week has passed and it is once again time to link in to Tootsies

Fertilizer Friday!

The temperatures have been cooler - it was only 7°C two mornings this week, making it feel very Fall-like. Last weeks rains have helped too.

The shed planter is really filling in

Remember that vine that popped up in my new garden?

 I had hoped it was a zucchini or pumpkin, but it doesn't appear to be anything I want to eat.

There are 7 fruits, oddly shaped and lumpy. I think they will be used for fall decorating.

One of the Roses are re-blooming

The Phlox is looking good too

Datura bloom opening - heavenly scent!

Angelonia - a first for me

A female Humming bird has been watching me in the garden and lands for a drink.

She checks me out and then drinks before flying off

 Love these little guys, but they are so QUICK!

Fertilizer Friday - August 17th

We had rain this week

A surprise thunderstorm that brought torrential rains.

The driveway was a river almost instantly.

The neighbors horses didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

They probably enjoyed the rain that knocked all the horseflies down

It rained so hard that our sump pump almost couldn't keep up with the flow. 

When it was done the rain gauge showed almost 3 inches!

The gardens were rejuvenated!

This Lysimachia looked almost completely dead before the rain

The annuals in the back bed are full of color again

A fresh Dahlia

Another a little closer

Scabiosa rebloom

'Herbstsonne'

Dianthus 'Raspberry Parfait'

A fresh Rose

Elephant Ears - they took forever to grow and now they won't stop!

I love these little Branched Coneflowers - they peek out of everywhere this time of year!

I'm linking in with Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday!

Rain!!

It is raining.

A slow, steady rain.

It is supposed to continue until Saturday afternoon.

It is exactly what the farmers,  trees, lawns and gardens need.

It is cool too, the perfect sleeping weather.

I couldn't resist sneaking outside with the camera and snapping a few photos for

Fertilizer Friday with Tootsie!

As I step outside, I notice that the plants are heavy with raindrops and have fallen and covered most of the pond. The fish must like that ... they rarely come to the top of the pond!

I see the Chinese Lanterns are starting to turn orange.

Stepping around the back, I notice that the new garden is starting to fill out. It is also greener than last weeks photo.

I just love the little surprises that pop up where I spread compost.

This squash is doing well...

I wonder what kind it will be?

'Midas Touch'

A tomato has popped up at the base of the Rose!

I bought this grass quite small and thought it was Fountain Grass. Turns out it is Millet...I like it!

Red Salvia is a Hummingbird Favorite

 This Fuchsia is another Hummingbird favorite - when it's open!

Dahlia

The Verbena is loving the break from the heat and making new blooms

Feeling a little lost

I must admit, losing the Apple tree kind of left me feeling lost.

The backyard seems naked. Of the 3 Apple trees, only one remains.

They were cut and cleaned up, stacked to dry for firewood.

The arbor blew over in the storm too, and only the Wisteria vine held it up. 

That has been fixed too.

The heat and drought has certainly had an effect on this years garden.

Most of it seems colorless to me, but there are a few exceptions.

The Hosta garden extension is filling in

 The Phlox is doing well, and no sign of powdery mildew ... YET!

You can always count on Rudbeckia to put on a good show

The Hydrangea's put on a great show earlier in the year, and there are a few new blooms

Amaranthus is always interesting

I really like the Blue Oat Grass this year. I think I'll be spreading some around next year!

And Zinnia's ... oh how I love the Zinnia's!

These Zinnia's have done well and are full of color even after all the heat and lack of rain.

I'm definitely putting in more Zinnia's next year!