What's Blooming

We have had beautiful warm weather so far this September with just a few cool, rainy days. Plants are just beginning to turn to autumn and there are still plenty of blooms to be found in the garden.

Volunteer Golden Rod.

Perennial Sunflower, Helianthus Microcephalus blooms among Miscanthus.

'Orchid Frost' lamium beneath Blue Spruce.

Common Beggar Ticks, Bidens Frondosa, and wild aster.

Unknown Veronica (lost tag).

Sedum Maestro

Beefsteak or Shiso, Perilla Frutescens in the potager – great sauteed!

Nasturtium in the potager.

Rose Mallows that reseeded themselves.

Borage that has reseeded ... and reseeded ... and reseeded.

What's not blooming is Exotic Love Vine and Morning Glory 'Scarlet O'Hara,' although both have just about covered the rustic trellis in the potager. I planted these for the humming birds but the blooms will be too late since the birds will be migrating any day now. I have planted two trumpet vines instead for next year, a yellow and a red – perennial vines that should offer flowers by mid summer. The red will cover this arbor, the yellow, the trellis by the driveway.

Exotic Love Vine and Morning Glory 'Scarlet O'Hara' on rustic trellis.

Sweet Autumn clematis is just about to bloom on the front porch.

Moon Flower has been blooming on the front porch for weeks.

Purple Hyacinth Bean is blooming along the drive and on the front porch.

Purple bean pods.

Also blooming are susans, sunflowers, cone flowers, obedient plant and a variety of asters and grasses. I think I'll feature the grasses in a separate post. Garden bloggers' bloom day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens the 15th of each month. Add your blog to the growing list so all can see what's blooming in your garden.

The Setting Sun

Fall officially begins in just two short weeks but here, summer blazes on. After a small dip in temperatures and a few cloudy days, a sunny 80° is once again in the forecast. But even perfect weather cannot hide the fact that the days are growing shorter. The sun may be setting sooner but it is putting on a spectacular show, even through the clouds.

I was blessed to enjoy this sunset on the river along with friends and family aboard The Muskie, a classic wooden boat. These beautiful boats are always a welcome site on the St. Lawrence River and really, nothing else rides the river quite like them. If you find yourself in this area I would highly recommend taking in the fantastic sites along the river aboard The Muskie (with wonderful, knowledgeable Captain Jeff), or from the Antique Boat Museum.

A extraordinary summer finale.

The Bee and Butterfly

The grackles are gone. I am keeping my humming bird feeders full but their visits are less frantic and less frequent. Last year I wrote on my calendar that by the 12th of September they had left. It is much cooler and leaves are beginning to collect on the ground. I meant to post this short video at some point and I think now is a good time. Just a moment to remember the bee and butterfly. Here, a White Admiral Butterfly and Bumblebee enjoying Joe Pye Weed.

The Bee and Butterfly