Noting a subtle change in the intensity of daylight, as well as the length of day, we’re edging towards summer’s end. Like a warning note, I’m reminded not to waste a moment of summer’s delightful days.
Placed in a bed of lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) and bronze fennel blossoms (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum), stems of wild goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) boldly announce the waning summer days. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), a last couple of stems of Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii, and Verbena bonariensis finish the arrangement.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts the weekly garden meme In A Vase On Monday, featuring flowers from our gardens. Click the link to join or see what others are sharing this week.
Eliza Waters 
we feel the shorter days starting too – love your flowers
Thank you kindly! 🌸
🙂
August is still very summery here. If the sunlight intensity changes, we do not notice while the weather remains warm. The progression may become more apparent during September, although warm weather will still continue.
I needed to look for the fennel bloom. It is sort of tucked down within. Goldenrod is rad. I got my first from Tangly Cottage Gardening at the end of last winter.
Thanks, Tony. You’re fortunate not to have to deal with snow and ice… it kind of is a drag and something we don’t look forward to!
Yes, but chill has its advantages also. I certainly enjoy the climate here. It is what I am familiar with. However, not as many cultivars of apple and pear perform well here like they do in climates with cooler winters. I do not bother with peonies here.
I’m beginning to see our warmth over here Eliza, I can’t wait to be among it all again. I think the seasons are just as they are so that we can appreciate them in their turn. Thank you for sharing your season, for us cold creatures over here 🤗❤️🙏
I like knowing there is a balance and swing to the seasons. I vicariously enjoy your warm seasons as I shiver next to the wood stove! 😉
Your winters are a tiny bit different to ours Eliza. We are in the last month of winter and already getting the odd 24C. And snow…I hear about it off in some distant land somewhere. Mind you, a couple of 0C made us get a jacket or two out 🤣❤️🙏
We are getting a slightly warmer edge to our days 🙂 🙂
Our seasons are a teeter-totter! I kind of like that. 🙂
Beautiful arrangement. Since the weather changed, it seems like July is now August and August has become the prelim to September and fall to-do-lists can be started earlier. Strange.
Thank you, Judy. I’ve had to practice letting go of my expectations for the weather/seasons… definitely a work in progress! 😀
Beautiful how the colors have perfectly captured the mood between summer and fall. I love the asymmetrical balance of the arrangement, too.
Thank you, Barbara, much appreciated! 🙏🏼
The fuzzy, soft, Lamb’s ears is the perfect canvas for all the soft-colored petals. None of my Goldenrod is blooming…when it does, there will be so much yellow and so much pollinator food.
Thank you, Alice. Here, I have many species of goldenrod so I get a long season of bloom. They make a great cut flower and I use them a lot.
So many bloggers from all over the place have been saying the same recently Eliza… the signs are there that summer is coming to an end. Your vase is a lovely collection of late summer flowers that all go so nicely together. Enjoy the rest of summer while it lasts!
Thanks much, Cathy. We have to prepare our minds for the desert of winter. 😉
Last week there were a few cool days here that felt like fall. The flowers loved it though! Your IAVOM is stunning, maybe you could have a few more of those vases.
Thank you, Hien! We’re just past the mid-point, I reckon, so there will be weeks more before the flowers are finished for the year. 🙂
Such a beautiful way to mark the waning of summer.
Thank you, Laurie. 🌸💖
I adore this time of year and the wildflowers that are announcing summer is still here. Your vase is perfection!
Thank you very much, Donna!
I love all those purples. I didn’t think astilbes lasted this long. I am not seeing the end of summer. Our temperatures will be in the high 90’s with the heat index in the 100’s for the next 10 days.
Thanks! Yes, A. chinensis is the last astilbe to bloom, most of what are grown in gardens are May/June bloomers.
Ugh, TX heat is so extreme… but your mild winters make up for it, I hope.
Beautiful photos and flowers. You have expressed that feeling of seasonal change and desire to fully enjoy these last days edging into Autumn, just as I felt recently also. Changes come fast or slow as seasons come and go. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pics!
Thank you as well! 🙏🏼
We’re seeing signs that summer is on its way out, too, Eliza. The hours of daylight, the angle of the sun, and the fact that the flowers I lovingly planted back in May are looking “middle-aged”!! Lovely arrangement — the colors are gorgeous!
Thank you, Debbie… isn’t it hard to let it all go? I don’t like extreme heat, but I like it better than winter. 😉
We had such hot temps for several weeks that our perennials suffered and are fading faster than usual. Love your arrangement!
Thank you, Sandy. July was so hot and humid here, but at least we had rain regularly. I’ve noticed the sun is past the yardarm these days… down the slippery slope to fall we go. 😉
Yes, we are on the way. But I love fall colors!
What a gorgeous arrangement. I love pink and yellow together so, needless to say, this speaks to me!
Thank you, Dale! I try to mix it up, but I tend to head in a pinkish direction! 🙂
Nothing wrong with that! 😉
A cheery, summery arrangement. Great combo of blooms, Eliza!
Thank you, Tina. Sometimes it is tough to limit myself to just a few flowers!
Gorgeous! The color and size variation is perfect.
Thank you, Denise. 🙂
As always, another beautiful bouquet. Yes, you’re so right…we are entering the time of year where the light is absolutely exquisite. It’s my favorite time in the garden even if the flowers are starting to wane in my garden. Well done, Eliza.
Thank you, Monika! 💕
And here we long for summer’s end…Your garden looks very green (whereas mine is an increasingly toasty brown). I love your Echinaceas.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Kris. We have had ample rain this summer, always appreciated. I hate dragging a hose around!
Such a pretty arrangement, Eliza! There is a change in the air, if ever so subtle 😏
Thank you, Belinda. I notice sunset is much earlier… time marches on!
This is late summer perfection. So many of my favorites too! Here the days are changing and some of the temperatures are too. Change is in the air for sure!
Thank you, Angie! Change is constant, they say. 😉
I love the colors!
Thank you, Maria!
It’s so hard to believe people already are talking about the end of summer. At least our unrelenting heat means high pressure, which means no hurricanes — for the present, anyway. I’d much rather enjoy the colors in your bouquet than the colors on a surge map! The orange and pink in the coneflowers is especially nice.
Thank you, Linda. A shift in the wind coming from Canada and our temp drops a good 10º, which is a great relief for us. There will be hot days again, it isn’t over yet!
🩷💕🌸💕🩷🌸🤗
Thank you, Susan!
Ooh, such lovely colours in your vase, Eliza- the greea nd yellow make the purples even more vibrant. I have been monitoring the length of days in the last year, and we have lost nearly two hours of daylight since the longest day here in the UK – it happens so subtly, doesn’t it?
Thank you, Cathy. The shift is stealthy until one suddenly looks up and notices it has happened while our attention was elsewhere. 🙂
I’m enjoying the shift too! It’s a gentle push to make the most of the sun and warmth 💐Beautiful arrangement for this time. x
Thank you, Val! 💕
I’m jealous of your purple cone flowers. The color in my looks a bit faded this year.
They are looking exceptionally well this year and it may possibly be the result of the tons of rain we got last summer, but who knows? We also had a mild winter.
I sense that shift in light as well Eliza. Seems like time speeds up about now every year. Your flowers are gorgeous. Especially love the Echinacea. Mine didn’t look fresh for long. Do you deadhead them?
Thank you, Susie. No, I leave the seeds for the goldfinches, which have been all over them, the sunflowers and zinnias as well. I basically garden for wildlife. 😉
That’s a lovely, cheering, full-of-summer arrangement, Eliza. I would dry it and look at it throughout winter, as a reminder of things to look forward to! 🌞
Thank you, Tanja. There are a few things I dry for winter use, but they never are as vibrant as my summer bouquets. I do miss having flowers in every room once the garden season ends.
That’s true, the colors always fade with time. But it’s still a nice reminder of summer past and summer yet to come.
Love the purple cornflower and lovely arrangement!🙂 I noticed each day this week little signs of the fall season approaching.🙂
Thank you, S. Autumn is right around the corner, half of August is already gone, oh my!!