It is the in-between time, here on the Cutoff; not quite the end of summer, nor yet the beginning of fall.
The ornamental and prairie grasses are reaching their peaks and starting to show their plumes. A few late-blooming hostas are holding court, issuing their intoxicating fragrances, and the Sweet Autumn Clematis is promising a splendid display atop the arbor . . . the days grow shorter and shorter. Bittersweet days of August, these are, and none the more so than today and yesterday, as I snipped the last of the daisies.
Deadheading is always such a painful chore.
A week before the Fourth of July, I fretted, hoping that the daisies would last for the holiday. They did! Now, some six weeks later, they are finally spent. To say they put on a good show, and stayed for an encore performance, would be an understatement. The snip, snip, snipping has finally brought the curtain down on their long performance.
The flower beds are a bit tidier now that the daisies are tamed. There is more to do, however, as we begin the long goodbye to summer. Just for a while, though, I’ll dream again of daisy chains and the sunny centers of my imagination.
It takes courage to do that final deadheading when you’re not s sure you’re ready to say goodbye, Penny! There are so many gardening chores this time of year, and I find I don’t have the same level of enthusiasm that I did in the springtime! We still have at least six weeks of high heat left, but the days are shorter and there are other signs of fall that tell me it’s here. It’s simply hard to know where to place my garden energy right now. I’ll think of you when I get “out there” and do some of that late summer clean-up, Penny. We are headed north this long weekend to visit our son and it’s going to be so nice to have some cooler weather. I’m really looking forward to a break…maybe when we get home I’ll be ready to jump in to do some deadheading of my own. It does need to be done. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend, too, my friend.
LikeLike
My level of enthusiasm isn’t quite where it needs to be, either, Debra, and we haven’t been dealing with the non-stop heat you have. Sigh. The daisies are gone, but, I left the greens so they look like little bushes. It’s hard to do that pruning back, but, then, often, new growth appears and we and our plants get a “second wind”. I tend to do my gardening in spurts, small ones. Gone are the days when I could spend hours in the garden. Adjustments in life are hard, but, hey, we learn to do what we can – and take time to breath lighter. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, your daisies are / were just beautiful!! I am still finding a stray daisy here and there, some just beg to fill my tiny vase, I acquired during my travel for this very purpose, just one or two stems is all that is needed to fill the vase and give me extended pleasure.
I need to learn more about hostas. I see them a lot, they do have beautiful green foliage I have not seen them in bloom or had the pleasure of drinking in their lovely fragrance.
LikeLike
It’s fun when a late bloomer appears, isn’t it? There are a few out in the back gardens -and I’m going to do just that; fill a tiny vase. I love little vases and have been know to use small jars for those impromptu bouquets.
Hostas are wonderful additions to gardens, especially in shadier spots. Not all varieties have fragrance, but, the larger leafed ones tend to. They are akin to lilies and pure bliss. A good spot to start would be checking into the White Flower Farm catalogue. They give informative descriptions and zonal information. If truth be told, however, almost all of my hostas were divisions from friends.
I’ve enjoyed reading all the Tasha Tudor posts that were written this past week.
LikeLike
Most of my plants are starts received from friends or purchased from special places ~ like the peppermint geranium, purchased from a lovely lady at the farmers market this morning and now sitting in my cozy RV Kitchen ~ Hoping it makes it home! It was just to beautiful to resist, with it’s velvety green leaves and it’s yummy peppermint aroma!
LikeLike
I hope that the peppermint geranium made it home with all its beauty and fragrance. I will be on the lookout for that. Farmers Markets at a great venue for plants. How fun!
Thank you for the link to Corgyncombe Courant, Melissa. I have it bookmarked for when I have more time to do it justice, but, know I will enjoy it and saw just enough to see how a tin kitchen can be used outdoors. You have given me hope that I can again use it. Thank you. Mine is very old, but, still useable and, as Tasha would surely say, it needs to be used.
LikeLike
Your daisies look so happy there, turning their heads to the sun. Your post is poignant, as you say goodbye to them, and begin the long goodbye, as you so eloquently put it.
LikeLike
Here we are, again, dear Juliet; me saying goodbye while you are saying hello. I’m counting on your beautiful New Zealand posts to carry me through winter when it hits in a few months. First, however, we do get the thrill of autumn.
LikeLike
Daisies: my birthday flower and my heart’s bloom, Penny. They are an honest, forthright flower. There is no side to them. I have always adored them, and yours look just glorious. Your gave them long life with your constant tending. And there will be more daisies next year.
LikeLike
It must be April, Kate. They are such happy flowers. Mine, this year, were, indeed glorious and they lasted for well over a month. I think that next spring I will need to divide them. If you lived close I would give you some.
LikeLike
What a marvellous show of daisies you’ve had, Penny. your hard work has certainly paid off. Autumn has come early this year for us, even though today was warm and sunny after a rather cool, grey August. Never mind, September is one of my favourite months.
LikeLike
September is one of my favorites as well, Perpetua (and August my least). I can’t believe it will upon us tomorrow. The blooms lasted for over a month, leaving me awestruck again and again with their radiance. 🙂
I hope your trip home went well. Thinking of you.
LikeLike