Hallelujah! A cool north wind
A cool north breeze surprised me yesterday and still blows today, bringing us the deliciously dry air and deep blue skies that we’d normally wait until mid-October to enjoy. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still seeing temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s (35.5 Celsius), but it seems almost pleasant without our typical oppressive humidity. And the last two mornings have been absolutely lovely. This is pulse-quickening weather. I’m cherishing the cool, fresh air.
You may be waiting for pics of our new house and garden-to-be, but that must wait until it’s ours in fact and not just pledged on paper. Until then, I hope you’ll be content, as I am, with the beauty my current garden is offering up as a final, parting gift.
The hummingbirds are busy, storing up for winter, I suppose. This one sups on our native rock penstemon (Penstemon baccharifolius ), also pictured at top.
The long stems of white-flowering Gaura lindheimeri weave through Gulf muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris ) by the cedar garden bench.
I’m pleased with the play of yellows and greens in the front agave bed. Agave americana Variegata’s stripes pick up the sunny yellow of our native hymenoxys (Tetraneuris scaposa ). Not visible in this image, yellow-flowering Jerusalem sage continues the color theme, as does a painted yellow bench.
A close-up of the agave’s ghostly leaf imprints.
The ‘Muskogee’ crepe myrtle that replaced the vitex last November has thrived, despite the hot, dry summer. Good ole crepe myrtles, you’ve gotta love them for their toughness, graceful form, and summer-long blooms, even if they are overplanted in the South. Hey, there’s a reason.
What post about the front garden would be complete without an image of the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave (Agave ovatifolia )? Here it is backed by Autumn sage (Salvia greggii ) in glorious pink bloom.
I hope you have a hallelujah moment or two in your garden today too. I’m going outside to drink in the north breeze.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Lovely images, I like the soft, pretty shades of pink, blue, green and butter yellow. I have to try penstemon sometime, I brought some seeds from JL Hudson(echium, agave parri, yucca) on Chuck’s recommendation and they are now germinating, so I’ll take the plunge and try some plants that aren’t grown here. Echium isn’t yet planted here but i saw it all over San Francisco and loved it.
Oh, I love Chuck’s echium. I think it gets too cold in Austin to overwinter them, but I may try to baby one along someday. Penstemons are great for rocky, poor soil, Nicole. Good luck with your seedlings. —Pam
Pam, I’ve been outside all day, enjoying the novelty of being able to work in the garden without sweltering. We must savor such days when we get them because they can vanish as suddenly as they came! It’s only September, after all.
Yes, we must. We could easily be in the 100s again tomorrow, couldn’t we? —Pam
That does look like ghost leaves, doesn’t it? You have some beautiful plants and flowers. Love the photo of the hummmer and the bench. I love rustic things in my garden. I have an old garden bench that is on its last legs, but I love it.
As you can see, I love rustic garden decor too, Eve. Thanks for your comment. I felt lucky to catch that hummer, as my camera is a little slow for such quick little creatures. —Pam
We have been blessed with the nice wind too. Right now that lovely breeze is blowing in
some much needed rain. Not a lot but a mist that is drizzling down. It feels goood to
be outside with the rain coming down.
Are you taking the galvanized planters with you when you leave this garden? They would be
relatively easy to move.
No, I’m not taking them, Lisa. They’re part of this garden, placed where a focal point was needed, plus they’re really heavy. I just hope the next owner enjoys them as much as I have. —Pam
I went outside this morning and was so surprised by the coolness that I thought I might have to bring my plumerias in! It’s been so hot that even a 69 degree morning seems like cause for alarm!
Yes, I thought it was almost shiver-inducing, after the long, hot summer we’ve had. Wasn’t it delightful? —Pam
Beautiful photos from a beautiful garden.
Thanks, Jenny! —Pam
I’m buying more agaves. I am trying to go with more drought-tolerant plants. And you have inspired me with your gardens.
Brenda
Why, thanks, Brenda. Garden blogs, particularly regional ones, are a great source of inspiration for me too. They help us see the possibilities for our own gardens. Good luck with your agaves. —Pam
I’m still hoping to shoot a hummer this year. (maybe I should rephrase that?)
-> the agave’s ghostly leaf imprints – far out, I really liked that image
I always like your photos
I think one of the reasons is the larger size compared to what I use. Tomorrow I think I’ll take the day off (high heat and humidity) and redesign my template. I never have much to say but I do like to shove photos in people’s faces 🙂
What you do have to say is always humorous and interesting, Wiseacre, but I agree that all gardeners love that eye candy. A bigger size allows one to show off a little better. I look forward to seeing your redesign. —Pam
The garden looks especially lovely today in gray and pink. It must be a bit bittersweet, for you right now Pam. You’ve created this wonderful garden that you must leave in order to start on an exciting journey with your new garden and home. Gail
Leaving is definitely bittersweet as fall nears and the garden responds to the milder weather. But the next garden will be a fun and creative adventure too. —Pam
I would imagine you’ll be taking those yuccas and agaves with you when you move, I know I would. They look soooo good and they are sooo expensive. The new owners can buy their own if they want them. Yeah, that it.
Agaves take so long to grow, which is why they’re so expensive, I guess. I will be taking the big ‘Whale’s Tongue’ and several of the smaller ones. The big variegated agave and the softleaf yucca will stay. They both grow really fast, and I consider them replaceable. —Pam
It was such a fabulous day outside today, I agree! And it was much more fun shoveling a truckload of mulch today than it was yesterday, too. My aching back? Not quite so much fun, but totally worth it for dealing with so much cedar just the way I like it– in tiny little chips in a very large pile. ;D
Ooh, fresh mulch is exciting. I bet it makes your garden look all neat and tidy. Take care of your back, though. —Pam
High humidity is no fun. Over here it’s unbearable when it’s over 30 C as we get so much rain so humidity is very high. So I’m glad the weather has turned slightly cooler in Austin. Love that pic of the hummingbird, well done!
BTW I think it will be a wrench to leave your lovely garden behind when you move. But designing and creating the new garden will bring lots of fun. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. 😉
I want the T-shirt too! But I think you haven’t moved in a while because your garden looks very full and established, YE. How long have you been gardening there? —Pam
Pam-
As usual, stunning, evocative picture on this post. This is what we’ve all come to expect from you and it never fails. I would guess that you’re feeling some nostalgia over digging up your roots and leaving this garden. But how lucky the next owners will be. Enjoy the cooler weather! Fran
Thanks for your very kind words, Fran. Yes, there is some nostalgia about leaving this garden. But not as much as I thought there would be. I’m ready to try something new and have a new outlet for creativity. —Pam
Very beautiful, Pam. I wonder if you will mourn this garden when you part from it? I know I will mourn mine someday, ephemeral or not. Heck, I’ll miss your garden which I’ve grown to love as much as our friendship.
We are getting those fabulous cool breezes too thank God. It is early, but I was out taking photos this morning and reveling in it.~~Dee
Aw, thanks, Dee. Yes, I will certainly miss this garden (perhaps more than I realize). But the excitement of something new is carrying me forward. Enjoy the cooler weather! —Pam
Hi Pam, wish we could get some cool breezes, no wind, no rain, ninety degrees. You deserve some coolness though after the many days of high temps. Your yellows are looking yummy. I love the blur of pink behind the blue whale’s tongue, eye candy indeed.
I hope you get some cooler weather soon, Frances. I’d have thought Tennessee would already being showing signs of fall. —Pam