August
Silence again. The glorious symphony
Hath need of pause and interval of peace.
Some subtle signal bids all sweet sounds cease,
Save hum of insects’ aimless industry.
Pathetic summer seeks by blazonry
Of color to conceal her swift decrease.
Weak subterfuge! Each mocking day doth fleece
A blossom, and lay bare her poverty.
Poor middle-agèd summer! Vain this show!
Whole fields of golden-rod cannot offset
One meadow with a single violet;
And well the singing thrush and lily know,
Spite of all artifice which her regret
Can deck in splendid guise, their time to go!
August superstars : Korean mums and Autumn Joy sedum. Dianthus has been in continuous bloom since Spring.
As usual August was hot and dry and the rains of July are a mere memory. Judicious watering of thirsty plants that demanded it occupied much of my time. I have strived to plant drought-tolerant perennials and annuals but even they had much to complain about.
The first one to fold her dropping leaves is the Chinese paperbush Edgeworthia, closely followed by the azaleas and rhododendrons.
The only fruit ripening now is the trusty Japanese persimmon 'fuyu', shown below. This little dwarf tree is full of fruit that will need another month to harvest.
The perennial Korean mums are starting to bud and the second blooming of the Autumn sage which hummingbirds visit daily.
Soon it will be September and time for adding and subtracting in the garden. I want to add more pollinator's favorites such as Salvias, Goldenrod and Agastache to the roadside garden.
