Six on Saturday: Late summer

 

It's beginning to feel like late summer in the garden. It's hot, but not the breath-taking heat we had in July. We even had a lovely break last weekend and I was able to turn off the AC for two whole days. For the first time this gardening season we could use some rain, but thanks to all the rain we've had previously, things are still looking pretty good.

This little corner of flower pots by the back door is one of my favorite spots right now. I just love these big, blousy zinnias which are Dawn Creek Pastels grown from seeds I saved.

Here is a closer view of the zinnias which come in an array of pastels colors.

Another spot I'm really enjoying is the view from my bedroom window of these volunteer cleome. I need to plant more next year.

This white liatris has been here for years, but was getting tall and floppy. Somehow the massive bulb was uprooted and broken earlier this year and I just plunked the biggest piece back in the ground. It turned out to be a happy accident as it survived and is looking better than ever.

This 'Blue Fortune' agastache is finally blooming and is looking pretty good this year.

I'm also quite please with this blue mistflower (conoclinium coelestinum) which I grew from seed this year via winter sowing. And bonus, this is one of the few plants in this bad bed that the deer and other critters haven't mowed down.

This is the year of volunteer lilies, which is perplexing since I've never, ever planted a single one. Perhaps a squirrel planted it? This one is aptly named surprise lilly, my plant ID app tells me. It's pretty, but since lilies are extremely toxic to cats and our cats occasionally visit the garden as does a neighbor cat, I'll be pulling it after it blooms.

That's my six this week. Visit Garden Ruminations to see what's happening in other gardens around the world.