First Fall Images 2016

Autumn officially begins this week on September 22. The dog days of summer have lingered endlessly with day after day of temps in the mid 90's. Even worse, we had almost no rain for nearly a month. At last there is hope, for we had some rain this weekend, though barely enough to wet the soil. The days are shorter, and mornings and evenings are finally cooler, giving proof that the earth is still rotating around the sun on its proper axis and a new season is coming, no matter what. 

Under misty skies I went hunting for evidence of fall today. A few leaves are changing on the trees, and there are a number of crinkly piles on the earth. Some are the result of droughty conditions, rather than the arrival of autumn.

Here is a welcome raindrop on a Japanese maple:This photo makes me sad. It is taken of the doomed Japanese maple I wrote about last week. We cut out a large section of the tree, but today I found new ambrosia beetle damage on a couple of the trunks we did not remove. 

On a happier note, I am seeing lots of butterflies.Cloudless Sulfur butterfly

I recently planted Asclepias, AKA Butterfly Weed, hoping to attract some Monarch butterflies. I was thrilled to see that it worked! I was watering the garden last week when a Monarch flew past me, headed for my new stand of Asclepias. I saw another one today, though he did not stick around to let me take his photo. Here is the Asclepias:

I can't take credit for the beauty of my Butterfly Weed.  It was already fully grown and full of buds when I bought it. I am eager to see how it does next year. I have planted Asclepias several times, and it has never done well. However, this is a different location, and so far the new plants seem far happier than the previous ones. 

I kept our hydrangeas watered during the weeks of drought, and I was rewarded with continuing blooms on my Endless Summer hydrangeas:I might tell the plant that I appreciate the flowers, but I am ready for summer to end!

My Deodar cedars are putting out fresh blue-green growth, an indication that cooler weather is coming:

But Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' shows no signs of the brilliant colors it will soon display:

This Coleus, called Freckles, has been successful this year with little effort on my part. I will take some cuttings and try to keep it alive indoors through the winter, so I will be assured to have some next year:

Am I the only one who thinks dried up seed pods are lovely? Here are some I found today:Hardy begonia seed pods

Finally, the blooms of Hydrangea 'Lady in Red' are aging gently into fall:

Have a great week!   Deb

Second Spring

Early autumn is almost like a second spring here. Even as some plants are preparing for dormancy and fall foliage colors are beginning to show, others respond to the fresher, cooler air with a flush of new growth and flowers.Blue salvia

Gardenia

Toad lily

Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'

LantanaButterflies and bees are flitting around the garden and birds are chirping and twittering.Gulf Fritillary butterflyCloudless Sulfur butterfly on Autumn SageThis Thread-waisted Wasp looks vicious but is a good guy for the garden.Hummingbirds are still passing by on their long journey to Central America.This is could be a juvenile male, a juvenile female, or an adult female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Males develop red throat feathers as they mature.This bluebird is checking out the bluebird house. Birds often choose their nesting sites well ahead of time. After a hot sultry summer, it is a pleasure to walk outside and to be embraced by the sweet arms of nature. I hope you enjoyed these few photos. I wish you could feel the cool touch of the breeze and hear the songs of wildlife that accompanied them. Many blessings to you!     Deb