Many nights in the high 30’s and low 40’s, but still no frost. Late bloomers are still colorful, but warm season annuals are fading.
The above is the Grass Leaved Goldenrod. It is delicate and pretty, but can spread.
The bonfire colors of French marigolds, and below the African marigold “Crackerjack”. The small French marigolds bloom early and all summer, but the seed raised Africans start blooming so late that next season I will start them under lights.
Above are Aster laevis “Bluebird” and a lone zinnia with a rose-like bloom. “Bluebird” has succulent leaves and is tolerant of sandy dry soil.
I am shocked by how many gardeners I meet label all asters but the showiest of New England asters “weeds”. Goldenrods get the same disrespect. With the growing need for late blooming flowers that feed bees and butterflies, I am astonished at this attitude.
Goldenrods and native asters and their cultivars are tough through heat and drought and deep frozen winters. How ironic that their qualities are obvious to the sophisticated gardeners of the UK and the Continent who love these flowers and use them freely while Americans trash them as worthless roadside weeds.
Gardening On Granite 