Have you noticed some season shifting shenanigans in your summer garden? Not that I'm complaining.
This summer has been a dream compared to last. We're at nine days of 100+ degree temps compared to thirty-nine during the same period last year. You might recall we had
ninety 100+ degree days in 2011. Shudder.
The typically spring blooming abelia is looking lovely with small clusters of white flowers. This dwarf variety shrub was a near casualty of last year's exceptional drought. Taking encouragement from the winter rains, it rallied and is growing into a nicely shaped plant.
In even stranger news, daylily and purple oxalis are also blooming. Purple oxalis in my garden is usually lush and pretty during the late winter and early spring. The daylily is planted in the hottest part of my garden and I rarely see a bloom after May. So many plants in confusion...
Ruby crystals grass is catching the morning light and my attention daily with its soft, feathery inflorescence. This grass is new to my garden and I honestly expected it to be more of a spring/fall bloomer. I'm thrilled to see it in bloom now though. It's gorgeous and if it should decide to reseed throughout this bed, I wouldn't be disappointed!
Even the Japanese maple is holding on to a bit of its rich color. These leaves usually go completely green by this time of year. The fringe texture of the maple leaves against the silver ponyfoot ground cover is so pretty. Purple heart, in the top right corner, adds nice contrast to the silvery green of the ponyfoot.
I've lived in Austin way too long to be fooled. There is still plenty of summer ahead for sure.
Cicadas sing nightly and almost, but not quite, are able to drown out the summer sound of our Texas white noise (a/c units). There is a harmonious chorus between the many cicadas and toads.
A sweet black-eyed Susan plays a game of peek a boo...probably with the bunnies that visit daily.
A true harbinger of fall, the American beautyberry is beginning to put on its brightly hued fruit. And while I'm not one to wish a beautiful, relatively easy (so far) summer away, this latest development tells me that fall will soon be nipping at our heels.
61 days soon to be exact.
How about you? Are you seeing any unusual bloom timing in your own garden?
I'm not, because living in coastal California, our temperature varies very little, really. I love your pictures, especially the one of the black-eyed-Susans. Lovely.
ReplyDeletewe have a maple that has forgotten to lose its leaves.I just love your cicada and bashful daisy.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the cicada ! Our problem is one of drought; we don't get (m)any 100F days - 90+ is already getting close to being above the norm but we've only had a couple of quick cloudbursts (from t-storms) over the past 4-6 weeks. Trees are starting to drop their leaves, and without every-other-day watering our flower beds would have dried up and blown away. Farmers are quite worried.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog post. When I came to the last photo and saw that it was an American Beautyberry the first thing that came to mind is, YOU'RE AN AMERICAN BEAUTY BERRY! And you are, a sweet, observant, nature loving being. Beautiful and sweet. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteCrazy but very different weather here in the UK. The government appointed a minister to take care of the drought back in April - everything was looking green at the time but reservoirs were at an all-time low with summer just around the corner. That did it; the wettest May and June on record and flooding in July too. Just at the moment we have beautiful summer weather, Temps in mid 80s, but rain forecast in time for the start of the Olympics. Love all your flower shots.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat, your awesome photos don't show us that your inhabitants are affected by the high temps! They are still looking beautiful and happy. And that cicada photo is really amazing, i envy your lens, OMG when can i have those too!
ReplyDeleteThe beauty berry are setting up berries here too and many flowers that bloom in fall have started especially goldenrod and helianthus. Wonder what fall will look like and what the weather will be...this is the hottest driest summer on record here.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the cicada photo!!
ReplyDeleteI think we got your summer. I will hop in the car today and drive it back down to you if you want it. Please?
Hi Cat, It has been so hot here that there hasn't even been the tiniest hint that fall is coming. Finally, last night we had a bit of rain. The garden is so parched and thirsty that I find everything is a bit off-normal. I can't wait for slightly cooler days!
ReplyDeletejust loveliness, cat. i LOVE those grasses. we had 71 days over 100 last year in DFW area so i pity your 90! holy smokes!
ReplyDeleteI love that ruby crystals grass --- both the name, and your beautiful shot of it. And I think the peek a boo black eyed susan looks like a little photographer lining up her shot of the gardener : )
ReplyDeleteSome things here are incredibly early, like the rose of sharon shrubs and asters that normally bloom in August, and are open now. Other things resolutely stay right on schedule, like the clethra, which hasn't changed its blooming time at all.
Hmmm... I think my garden is right on track with where it was last year, although my Blue Bird asters will be blooming soonish, but that's because I didn't cut them back this year. :) Wait, got it!! Both of the clematis in my front garden have rebloomed sporadically through out the summer, but I think that's because I'm watering them more. Mystery solved! Your photos are beautiful. LOVE the peek a boo rudbeckia.
ReplyDeleteI had to look through the comments to find out, that's a cicada. Wow, had no idea what they looked like. I have no idea if my garden is blooming in order or not as this is the first year many of my plants are actually putting out blooms so it's all an adventure for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos (as usual), but I especially enjoyed the cicada!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel some plants are blooming/putting out berries/seeds early this year. I've got no explanations for it and haven't read anything scientific but using my own eyes and my memory of when things usually occur? We seem to be working some sort of accelerated schedule this season.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of 100+ degree days! This summer is our hottest and we've only hit 100 once, but 90's and even upper 80s are rare in Maine. Your plants must be so hardy to survive that abuse, like ours with sub freezing temps. We just got a break in the heat and I'm enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteCat, I just have to tell you: every morning I wake up and say, "Today I'm going to be like Cat." I'll never be, but your spiritual joy starts my day. And yes, it's been a weird July. I actually have spiderworts coming up!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Death Star has taken residence to your north...phew. Our 2 types of daytime cicadas have been gone for weeks - too dry? The ones at night like your's stronger than ever, and I like that term for AC hum...Texas white noise!
ReplyDeleteThe off-season plants in bloom - how surreal.
Cat: I can't even imagine what last summer must have been like for you. This summer has pushed me to the limit--the worst drought I've ever experienced. I don't think it was even the heat, but the lack of rain that was toughest part. But thank you so much for your encouragement--I hope it's OK that I mentioned you in my most recent post. :)
ReplyDeleteThe cicadas are so numerous and so loud here that we hardly hear the; they are just one of the never-ending sounds of summer. Your photos are wonderful. I also loved your previous post, What You Do Matters.
ReplyDeleteMany plants do seem out of phase, the Ruby Crystals grass is blooming early. My Salvia Madrensis has been blooming all summer and it's a fall blooming plant.
ReplyDeleteExcellect images... especially the cicada...
ReplyDeleteI've seen unusual blooms as well. My wisteria decided to put on an encore performance, and a lot of my fall bloomers are already blooming. That cicada picture is very cool and the daisy is adorable.
ReplyDelete