Indian Summer Cosmos

We've had another weekend of unseason ably warm and lovely weather and that's just the kind of thing to encourage the cosmos to continue blooming.

I'm taking advantage of that weather to accomplish some other things in the garden (more about that shortly), but in the meantime: enjoy the Cosmos!!

A Golden Light From the Sky

And on Monday, the sun returned in all its glory. Here some of the blue lobelia in windowboxes begins its show.

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As the sun shines, temperatures rise and more flowers begin to bloom, the garden is becoming a busy center of activity. Here a butterfly sips nectar from the newly-blossoming yarrow.

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A colony of foxgloves thrive in the shady margin of the back garden.

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A bluetail fly basks on a leaf, munching on some much smaller insect.

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In many places around the yard, Sweet William flowers have begun to spiral open.

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Our newest frog lounges in the shallow end of the koi pond, perhaps hoping there'll be a waitress offering poolside bug cocktails.

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Many of the milkweed plants climbing toward the sky have begun to form their unique flower clusters (see below). I also noticed during the course of the day that many of the yucca plants have begun to send up their flower stalks. Guess there's something to be said for so much rain!

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Orange moss rose (portulaca). Posted by Picasa
Recently, I found these terrific (and inexpensive) roosting baskets on a visit to the Birdwatchers' General Store in Orleans. I've hung one in each of the apple trees in the back garden, in hopes of encouraging some of our smaller neighbors to move in and help with bug control. I just can't decide: seasonal, or weekly rental?

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Mirroring the color combination of butterfly and yarrow, a ring of calendula surround a bit of oregano.

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Let's All Sing The Pansy Song...

So, what's a gardener to do when faced with a brilliantly sunny Sunday, temperatures climbing to 60...and garden centers opening their doors? Of course, the answer is, the Gardener plants some pansies!! Let me hear a big Woo Hoo!!

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Another morning glory. 

Cosmos portrait. 

Yellow marigold. 

Marigold. 

Pale pink morning glory. 

Cosmos in profile. 

Cosmos trio with bee. 

Carmine cosmos pair. 

Marguerite daisies. 

Morning glory. 

Nasturtiums. 

Nasturtium. 

Carmine cosmos glows at dusk. 

A pink and purple pansy reborn. 

Orange African marigold. 

Zinnias!!

 

Ah, just when you think the season's nearly through: I grew these little fellows from seed...the first time I've had enough sun to bother with zinnias in some time. And with a little rain for encouragement, here they are, just when I'm ready for some fresh faces!