Posted on by Donna

Summer’s Long Goodbye

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” ~ Oscar Wilde.

By the time Mother Nature gives us the nod that indeed summer is ending, the plants are tired, and I’m tired and ready to give it all over to fall. Especially after the 100% humidity and 90 degree temps this past week. So draining for me and the garden. Time to hermit and wait. And we did for a few days. Finally a tremendous storm blew through with 60 mph winds and torrential rain that fell sideways gathering 2.5 inches to refresh both of us.

Even with hot temps and weather that says summer one day and fall the next, I love the beginning of September when summer is still with us, but the temps are cooling. There are more clouds, the raptors are returning and my garden is putting on a new growth spurt. Many people feel compelled to rip out their potted annuals and put in fall flowers like mums. But I like to wait before the mums and new pansies are planted.

The rain refreshed many plants like this morning glory that I let grow and go wherever it wanted. It has rewarded me with dozens of pinkish and white blooms every morning.

The self-seeded lavender is still going strong, sending up more flowers. Along with those orange flowers of Butterfly Weed. A milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, that also self-seeded between the lavender.

With summer’s long goodbye, I thought I would use the lavender and a few other plants still going strong in containers. Like Licorice Plant and white cosmos with white Angelonia which is fast becoming a favorite annual of mine.

This vase definitely says summer heat to me.

And I still have a few container dwarf sunflowers flowering which speak to me of the waning time of summer and harvest as fall fast approaches.

This week on the 13th, my blog celebrates its 13th Anniversary. I am proud to say I am still as enthusiastic to write and share my garden and life here as I was 13 years ago. For a few years, I was unsure if I would continue as I was healing from years of stress in a job I grew to dislike. Once retired I needed respite and still do. Healing is a long process. But this writing community has been so rewarding, so generous. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am unsure what direction this life and blog will take, but gardens and nature will always play a big part.

With this week’s lovely little vases, I am linking in to the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, at Rambling in the Garden.

All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma. You can follow my progress with #the100dayproject in my Instagram and Facebook feed.

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2023.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

14 Replies to “Summer’s Long Goodbye”

  1. I, too, am enjoying the late summer garden, not ready to let it go just yet. I’ve never had lavender self-sow, but maybe I was too zealous in deadheading? Love your vase and little bouquet, so pretty!
    Congrats on your 13th, that is an achievement!

    1. Thanks Eliza. This is the first time lavender has done this for me. I think it growing in the rocks and allowing the seed heads to stay until spring helps.

  2. Well done on keeping your blog going, and finding an artistic outlet through which to share you love of plants and life. Lavender has such a lovely scent, and your arrangement in with the white cosmos and other flowers is very pretty. May you continue to enchant us with your thoughts and musings.

  3. Well done on your 13 years, Donna – you are a year or two ahead of me. I agree that it can add another dimension to our lives, bringing a sense of belonging as well as an outlet for sharing our love of plants and gardens. You have some lovely self-seeders which you have used to create your lovely little vase today – and your second vase provides a splash of sunshine without the heat!

  5. Yikes, I wouldn’t want to stick my head outside in weather like that either. Hope things get more comfortable soon. The lavender and white go so well together. Your plants are so big and healthy looking! I think I might have to move my lavenders somewhere a little more dry, because they have been rather sulky living in the herb bed and I haven’t gotten nearly enough flowers from them to feel like I can cut any.

  6. Congratulations on 13 years of blogging, Donna! I struggle with continuing it myself at times and you’ve got 2.5 years on me in that department. Your small vases are lovely. I especially like the “cool” purple and white one.

  7. Congratulations on 13 years Donna! A pretty vase – I like the look of your Angelonia, and have never grown it myself. The lavender looks so pretty growing in your gravel. How lovely to have things self sow where they can stay and don’t get in the way! We have had a hot spell too Donna. But it looks like more autumny weather should be here by the end of the week.Hope you get respite soon too.

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