Whale’s Tongue agave

Since August arrived early, I’ve been griping about the heat—like it doesn’t do this every year. There have been maybe two relatively cool, rainy summers since I moved to Austin 12 years ago, but let’s face it: this is not a hospitable climate from June to September.

For people, that is. Gardens can do just fine, provided you plant what likes to grow here. Agaves being a prime example. Not only do they thrive in blistering conditions, they have a certain cachet these days, a retro-modernist look you see in all the garden magazines. My cottage garden is not a modernist’s ideal, but that hasn’t stopped me from throwing a few sculptural plants into the mix. And who can resist a plant named “Whale’s Tongue” anyway?

Another view of the Whale’s Tongue.

Hymenoxys is still going strong.

A close-up

In a shadier area, the black-eyed Susans are showing their sunny faces.

Here’s a wide shot of the agave bed. From left to right: skullcap, agave, Mexican oregano, hymenoxys, salvia greggii, and roses.

The Mexican oregano is in full bloom. From the sidewalk, its lavender flowers glow behind flame acanthus, irises, and artemesia.

From the other side, backlit by the setting sun, the Mexican oregano’s flowers look almost incandescent.

Out by the curb, baking in what must be 130 degrees above the sticky asphalt, damianita and Mexican feathergrass set seed. Their nonchalant survival in the hell strip earns my admiration.

Remember these guys? I spotted this sphinx moth flitting around the Mexican oregano, but when I got too close it darted into the coral honeysuckle to rest. Maybe it’s one of the moths we raised from caterpillars a few weeks ago. If so, it must be near the end of its life expectancy of 3 to 4 weeks.

In the back garden, things are a little more subdued. Near the container pond, the daylilies are finishing up, the coneflowers are just starting, and the agapanthus have yet to send up a bloom stalk.

Bat-faced cuphea. I like the purple and red combination on these little flowers.

Back by the shed, zexmenia and purple coneflowers make a prairie mix.

Inland sea oats. Their beautiful green seedheads nod in the breeze.

More Barbados cherries. I’m happy to have such a good “crop” this year. I understand that they are edible, but I haven’t tried one yet.

An anole on a birdhouse. He has turned brown to camouflage himself.

While I may hunker down in my air-conditioned bubble, life goes on in the garden. It was good to get out and remember that this evening. And, you know what—I was so busy enjoying the garden that I forgot about the heat.