Gardens in the Misty Morning

This post is heavy on pictures...

Here we are at the end of August and we are starting to feel the early stages of fall. Cool evenings sweep over the area.  Fog and a heavy dew become common in the mornings.  I thought I'd capture some images in the garden before the sun burns it all off.

 My red impatiens plants became sickly looking a couple of weeks ago after too many wet days.  I cut them off and am hoping they'll recover but it's hard to say whether I'll have enough time with the growing season to see the recovery.

The copper planter behind the water fountain had some beautiful begonias growing but they don't like being overly wet either and look bad.  I cut away parts of the plant that looked the worst hoping for a recovery.

It took so long for these planters to look the way I wanted.  The new guinea impatiens were slow because our summer was cool.

 I'm starting to see signs of the hostas dwindling with browning on the edges of the leaves.

Last night's rain washed the delicate petals of the flowers to the ground.  

 I've enjoyed watching this caladium grow- perhaps I'll try more of them next year.

 These impatiens are overgrown and getting floppy.

The ground sedum are sprawled all around here (most of this is "Coral Carpet" sedum).  It's such a carefree plant.  The only issues I have with it are when weeds pop up in it- it can be challenging to pluck them out!

 The Stonecrop sedum (Abbeydore) are flowering which is always a sign of late summer here.

 Hydrangeas are the highlight around the area at this time.

This Cityline Paris hydrangea has the best compact shape but I guess do to late frosts I seem to only get flowers low on the sides.  I need a big dome to put over it in the spring to protect it!

 I just love the flower - a nice rich deep pink with little white star like centers.

I spotted this little tree toad on a different day but thought I'd include it.  He sure blends in!

 The grasses are topped out and the flowers are fading.

This Cotton Candy phlox has been fantastic during the past month.  The smell was amazing.  When it started flowering we could smell it from the kitchen.  I highly recommend it- it has the most enjoyable scent of any I've come across.

 I'm thrilled with the purple fountain grass and definitely will be growing them again in the future!

The fairy garden has become a jungle!  The Annabelle hydrangeas are green now and getting papery in texture.  I've cut a bunch and have them drying in the garage.

 The plants filled in nicely and have covered up some of the stone pathways.

This little miss has become cradled in some new shelf mushroom growth.  The chipmunks run through and knock things over all the time.   I didn't realize that the little archway there had been knocked down.

I have a corkscrew plant growing nearby and it wrapped itself around this fairy on the ladder- what a neat surprise!

Out front I'm tickled to see a new flush of flowers on the knockout roses we planted earlier this summer.  I look forward to them filling out and much more flowering next summer!

 New growth beaded with water on the edges- almost looks like frost!

 This limelight hydrangea is an attention grabber.  It can be seen at a distance as we return home.

 As you can see the fog was thick!

My favorite shot!  It looks like something in the New England States area.

I'll be joining the following parties:

Dishing It & Digging It

and

Gardens Galore Link Party #6