August

In August it is still hot, day and night.  In the garden, plants are growing slowly, marking time until the nights are cooler in September.  Once they can rest in the cool evening air, they will devote more energy to foliage and fruit during the day.


Not every plant needs to rest.  Some flourish in the heat and humidity.


A neighbor walking his dog called to me, "You have trees growing in your driveway."

The native passionvine thrives where few plants dare to go.  It doesn't mind the reflected heat and light from the concrete.   

The passionvine was slow to start this year.   It was mid-May before it emerged from the soil.   It went wild in the front garden until it spilled over the pathway to the front door.

In the back yard, tiger swallowtails are nectaring on the Phlox paniculata

and on the Abelia chinensis.

 

After a thunderstorm, lacy caps of mushrooms appeared along the path.

Others had button caps.

The late summer garden, waiting for autumn.