For the last few weeks it has been rainy, icy at times, foggy and overcast all of the time. I was starting to think I might have SAD and need a sun lamp. It doesn't help that it is pitch black outside by 5 PM. I took off work a little early and took Quickbeam outside and lo and behold we saw blue skies. So it was time to do an inventory.
I know that everyone is probably sick of pictures of my phlox, but is still plugging away and I am extremely curious how long it is going to keep blooming. There are a few blooms on each of the plants. It also looks like there are a few buds opening up on the Alyssum plant.
Imagine my surprise to see a dandelion blooming in the yard. I have never been one of those that has to have a weed-free yard and I have always enjoyed seeing cheerful dandelion blooms.
There is a large bloom with probably 20 plus mushrooms in the front flower bed. Since I was carrying Quickbeam (and the ground was wet) I couldn't get down to get a really good picture. My camera lens seemed to be kind of fuzzy.
The lack of leaves helped to expose the bird's nest in my crepe myrtle tree. I tried to avoid getting too close to it this summer.
So that was our expedition today. It felt really good to get outside and get some fresh air. I let Quickbeam run around for awhile and she enjoyed the time outside also. Keeping her from eating leaves and grass definately keeps me busy. :)
There are still a few odd blooms on the light blue creeping phlox.
The few remaining Black-Eyed Susan blooms got touched by the frost.
There are still a few lily pads left on the water lily, but they are starting to get a little ragged now. Not too ragged for my bird friends to use them for a bird bath though, as noted in the post below.
And one of the main stars of the show now, Coneflower seedheads.
I got a big pot of Hen and Chicks earlier this summer to break apart and plant in the succulent bird feeder. I tucked the ultimate mother into a corner between the bricks around the pond area and a rock stepping stone. It has been multiplying happily all summer and I am pleased to report that it seems to be happy where it is.
The creeping phlox has gotten well established in several places and seems to be at home. The whole 'scree garden' concept seems to be taking root and growing now, no pun intended.
The Black-Eyed Susan has been giving consistent splashes of color in the back of the garden all summer long. It's also been self-seeding prolifically so I will have to be giving away some young plants next spring.
And finally, the Blanket Flower has also been plugging along all summer. Now that there are fewer flowers it is still decorating the bird feeder bed with seed pods. I think that I'll be moving some of this into the scree garden next spring.