The Last Days of Summer
We are well into September now, and fast approaching the actual date of the autumnal equinox - which will be September 23rd this year - but as of now, it is still summer. And while most of us have long ago returned from our summer vacations and are now back at work and school, the calendar still reads summertime. And most days seem to play along with that idea. In fact, as our climate warms, it is not unusual to experience warm to hot temperatures well into October and beyond. But of course, come true fall, there is much less light, with shorter days and cooler nights, so no one can be lulled into thinking that summer will last forever. But while it is still here, if even for only one more week, or one more day, or for even one more hour, let us embrace those last few seconds of the season.
Summer flowers still blooming, with sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ beginning to change over to its fall coloring
As a gardener, I particularly find it sad to say the final farewell to the days where I find myself most happy and content. I have tried very hard to create a garden that has interest all year long - and it does - and there is always work to be done - but no days in the garden are like summer days. Of course there is spring. And I almost roll that time of year together with summer because they are both true gardening seasons. And that’s not to say that there are not fall crops, or winter garden work, but nothing truly compares to the warmer months of the year when our gardens grow and shine and crave our constant care. My own garden looks pretty good well into November, but it certainly does not look like it does in May or July or even September. And that is the cycle of a garden. The dormant season is a necessity we must endure to again experience the re-birth of our gardens. It’s just sometimes very hard to say goodbye to summer, so that’s why I am suggesting that we do not do so until it is absolutely necessary.
This time of year I usually find that I get some kind of a rejuvenating feeling in the garden. Late August, I may find myself looking around and thinking all is over - but advance the clock a few weeks and suddenly the garden seems to have perked up. Yes, many things are clearly done with for the season, but if I regularly deadhead and keep things tidy, the garden doesn’t look too bad. Asters, anemone and caryopteris keep the garden going. Hopefully many of my annuals will still be putting on a decent enough show. And things are still very green, so all is good; the garden is alive and well.
When people visit my garden this time of year, I almost inevitably find myself saying something like “well, the garden is not at its peak anymore, but…”. And that is simply because, well, as gardeners, we are always our own harshest critics - even though we know full well that our gardens are lovely no matter the season and that there is always something to show off. So even summers’ end cannot, or certainly should not, stop that. We need to hold on to these last precious days for as long as we can. And so for now, it is still summer. Let us not rush the visitor away from our gardens; let us simply embrace the moment. The change will be coming all too soon…
Deadheading chores in the late summer garden
Anemone blooming from August into October
Aster ‘Wood’s Purple’ providing beautiful color from late summer into fall
Caryopteris putting on a late season show
Until next time…
