The best of my summer bloomers are exhausted. There are some that are still blooming. There is some other colors that are from seed structures.
It is hot and dry now. I have needed to water sufficiently to keep plants from becoming crispy. I have planted some small shrubs this month and I am busy watering them daily.
I hope to join the Six On Saturday group in the morning. If you are curious, here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.
On the left is the Clethra alnifolia or Sweet Pepperbush. It is a North American native which tends to sucker forming clumps which have fragrant little flowers attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant was shaded by a dogwood (Cornus florida) which I had to cut down recently since it was a casualty of dogwood borer.
On the right is Euonymous americanus or Strawberry bush. The fruit has this cracked open look so that another common name is ‘Hearts a’busting’. This native North American shrub will also benefit from more sun after the removal of the dogwood.
This coleus is self seeded from last years parent which was grown from seed. It is crowding a Dragon Wing Begonia in a small container. Since both are thriving, I will enjoy the combination.
The Rudbeckia triloba or Brown Eyed Susan is another North American native which is doing very well in the garden. It is acting as a tender perennial and it is tolerating the heat and drought extremely well. It will be used in more locations in my garden.
The gulf fritillary has thrived in my garden this summer. They are by far the most abundant butterflies. They have passionflowers as a host plant of which there are plenty in my yard. This one is nectarine on a golden buddleia.
I have mentioned the lizard in my mailbox which is located at the street. The mailbox is covered with a Sweet Summer Clematis. Here is a close up. The iNaturalist app identifies it as a Mediterranean Gecko. Hmm. It seems quite happy and harmless so it is being allowed to continue squatting.
Wishing you Happy Gardening!
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Another lovely selection Doc, I love the butterfly, I have a plan to introduce a golden Buddleia to my garden when I remember to look for one!
Thanks for sharing the North American native plants we don’t have around here. Nice photo of the gecko !
I heard a statistic this week that 25 percent of the plants in our region are non native. I suppose that’s the consequence of a global economy.
and that’s already a good percentage because I think here it’s less than that..
Cute gecko. Shame about the dogwood, but the other plants will thrive now so it’s a win win.
A great selection. Love the gecko.
Those are some wonderful images of beautiful plants and garden friends. Happy Autumn!
Oh, I can’t think of anything sweeter – a mail box covered in clematis with a resident gecko! 😁