Entries in summer garden (14)

Sunday
Aug172014

Late Afternoon in the Woodland Garden 

It is mid August, and I like to stroll through my woodland garden in late afternoon as the heat of the day subsides. Already I can feel hints of autumn in a cool breeze. Dusk has not yet begun to steal the light away, and the scene is breathtaking. I did not create my woodland garden with the transforming magic of late afternoon light in mind, but one could think so, if I were that talented a gardener. I am simply blessed.

Golden sun rays radiate through the entry to the woodland garden, illuminating the moss path and gilding the plantings:

I walk through the woodland garden slowly, dreamily admiring the light in the trees:

I gaze at the glittering leaves of 'Waterfall' Japanese maple:

Here is the view across the main planting bed in the woodland garden:

Near the Japanese maple is 'Lady in Red' hydrangea, named for its striking red stems:

There are not many flowers in the woodland garden in August. An exception is this hosta 'Royal Standard' bloom:

A few more lovely woodland plants catch my attention:Clockwise from top left: Abelia blooms; Variegated Japanese Pittosporum with Wood Aster in background; Japanese Painted Fern; Hepatica nobilis.I see a spider web, and I am reminded it will soon be "spider season", when female spiders build webs in a frenzy, preparing to catch food to sustain themselves while they mate and lay eggs. (The male spiders are so focused on the female spiders that they don't feed and die soon after their own role in reproduction is done.)

The late afternoon light glows through the fronds of a Birds Nest Fern. This is a tropical fern in a pot that I bring in for winter, but it flourishes outside through the summer in the woodland garden:

I find a small downy hawk feather caught in a branch.Then nearby I see a larger hawk feather on the ground. What story does this tell? Normal shedding, or something tragic?A nice breeze blows through the wind chimes.I close my eyes and listen to the music. 

The magic light that turns the woodland garden into a dreamland does not last long, and dusk creeps in. The mosquitos are biting. Time to go inside! 

Saturday
Jul262014

Late July in the Garden

It's almost August! Summer is sliding by quicker than a six year old on a Slip 'N Slide. It has been a few years since I launched myself onto one of those dangerously watery plastic sheets. I can't count how many years, though I do remember doing it! I did ask Lou to spray me with the water hose the other day. It has been hot and humid, but we have had some pleasant days thrown in now and then to make it bearable. August still to go.

Meanwhile, a quick tour of the garden shows that most non-foliage color comes from lavender and bright pink crepe myrtles, 'Coral' drift roses, and a few flowers such as yarrow and coneflowers. Here are images taken in the front garden:

Yarrow is a perennial that has long-lasting blooms:Hydrangea 'Limelight' positively glows in the midsummer garden:The woodland garden is noticeably cooler than the non-shaded parts of the garden. It is deep green with golden summer lights:

Stromanthe tricolor, a tropical plant I bring inside when winter arrives, and Solomon's Seal are just a couple of the foliage plants in the woodlands looking good right now:

'Waterfall' Japanese maple is a highlight in the woodland garden:

Rabbit keeps an eye on everything:

Finally, I have been seeing lots of dragonflies this year. This one reminds me of an old bi-plane:

Isn't nature grand? Blessings to all of you.    Deb