August

It is August and the lisianthus are now in full bloom, which signals the beginning of one of my favorite times of the year. That time when the garden really starts to expand beyond its curated boundaries and stretch its legs. This is the time when I find myself quietly looking the other way if some of the more cheeky perennials and shrubs start to spill out and enjoy themselves over the stones of the borders out into the gravel pathways or gently arch themselves to hang over into the walkways. Sometimes bullies and hostile takeovers in the garden beds need to be handled and sorted but there is a general feeling of abundance, and being engulfed in the life that surrounds you in the garden as things jump up to bloom boldly, and then gently fade and go to seed.

As if it surely knows that cooler days loom just around the corner, the garden begins its performance , the last big finale of the season. Second and third flushes of perennial flowers , soon they will tire and be ready for a season of rest. The finale is like fireworks as the roses spring into full bloom again with the cooler days and the salvia bolts to double its stalk size in the Spring. Right now the native golden rod stands 10 feet tall and is happily towering above the hydrangeas that are firmly holding them up below. The bees are frenzied by all of the sweet smelling agastache and go to rest pollen drunk underneath the cone flowers at dusk. This is the time of year when I look at all of the details, trying to secure everything about this season into my memory so that I can hold it with me all through the winter and dream of next years garden.