Late Summer in the Front Garden

We have had rain almost every day in August thus far. The vapors of summer have settled over us like a warm wet towel. Yesterday I was able to get out to my dripping garden.A view from inside the front garden.It wasn't raining at the time, but when I returned to the house I was damp. I didn't mind. The rain has moderated our usually high summer temperatures, and the plants are loving the moisture. The garden feels mellow and ripe, like the golden figs I picked the other day. My little White Marseilles fig tree produced a total of four figs this year. They were very sweet, and Lou and I gobbled them up. I hope my potted tree will grow bigger and produce a larger harvest next year.

In the front garden, Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is putting on a show. Its chartreuse tinted white blooms glow along the hydrangea walk, where earlier blooming hydrangeas have faded.This shrub blooms reliably every year from midsummer till fall, when its blooms will acquire pink tints.

Another plant that is gives a reliable punch to the summer garden every year is Canna Lily 'Tropicana'. I have loved it from the first moment I saw it. It was the plant that began to nudge me toward the tropical side of my semitropical climate.Before Tropicana, I dismissed most tropicals, but now my tastes have broadened considerably. Some of these shamelessly brazen plants are much more suited to my sultry climate than the pastel delicacies that were my first love.

Farther down inside my front garden is the peculiar Voodoo plant. I think it may be mature enough next year to bloom. I am looking forward to that! Meanwhile, I enjoy its tomato-like foliage and its creepy patterned stems, which feel like human flesh!

If you don't know anything about this plant, you must read my previous post, Under the Spell of the Voodoo Plant. I have two voodoo plants, both growing in large pots. I was shocked to discover a third voodoo plant in the ground about fifteen feet away from the originals. Since those have never bloomed, I don't know how this has happened. Perhaps a squirrel dug up a small corm and planted it for me!

A summer view of a rustic birdhouse inside the front garden:Summertime, and the living is easy!

Finally, here are some simple summer flowers:

 May these August days bring you many blessings.   Deborah

The Midsummer Garden

As June comes to a close, a mellowing of the garden has occurred. It is midsummer here. Greens predominate, with gold tints and purple and pink accents. 

In the Front Garden:

I really love my Lady in Red hydrangeas. According to the acidity of the soil, the blooms may originally be blue or pink, or a combination of both, but as summer progresses they all take on rose tones:Above: In May, this Lady in Red, located down from the patio, was predominantly blue.This is the color of the same shrub today.I painted this birdhouse to reflect the Lady in Red behind it.

My voodoo plant, located in the front garden in a talavera pot, is growing. My original two have multiplied to five! Who knows how many I will have in a couple of years when it is mature enough to bloom. Next year I will have to put some of them in another pot. If you are unfamiliar with this weird plant please read my original post, Under the Spell of the Voodoo Plant, to see why I will be holding my breath when it flowers!

The Woodland Garden is a nice retreat from the hot sun. One can feel the aging here too, with softer, more hushed tones of green:

Have a Happy July!