The garden continues to have a show of pretty flowers and interesting critters. It is a joy to have a succession of flowers that bloom in the later part of summer. I love this white iris, a late bloomer that surprises me every year. This year it gave us five beautiful blooms over more than a week.
I was just barely able to catch a photo of this most unusual hummingbird with a black head. I’ve not seen anything like it before. It isn’t a shadow, its head was actually very dark on top and underneath, with a white ring around its neck. Perhaps it is a juvenile and the dark areas will lighten to the common green as it gets older.
On another day, I caught this female ruby throated hummingbird. We have two females and one male that regularly visit.
The hydrangeas bloomed beautifully all summer, giving us a number of blooms to cut for the table.
The little geranium bloomed all summer too, in vibrant pink. Two little pots flank the front door.
The morning glory is still going strong, with daily shows of deep blue flowers.
On the feeder, a chickadee shares the seed with a bunch of goldfinches.
The bright yellow birds look so pretty in the green trees.
Out in the vegetable area, two squash plants bloomed profusely, but I have yet to have a single squash. Not one. I think the combination of heat and too much rain have stunted the growth. Oh, the one spaghetti squash rotted from the critter nibbles, so I pruned it off, hoping for another one.
The Better Boy tomato on the veranda was doing well until the heat and the rain got to be too much. DH moved it under the eve so it wouldn’t get so much water as the rain was pouring down every afternoon and turning the leaves yellow from overwatering.
I brought the biggest ones inside and let them ripen on the kitchen windowsill. I got this photo, then they turned a deep red. We ate them before I remembered to take another photo.
Early in the month, one yellow gladiola gave us a striking bloom. It looked lovely with the hydrangeas. I had to cut it and bring it inside as the rain broke the stem.
Another critter visitor, this is a walking stick. Seems like we get one of these on the veranda every year about this time. It is actually hanging upside down, its head is at the bottom.
The torenias continue to bloom profusely, attracting the hummingbirds.
The yellow one is spilling out of its pot all over. I have considered entering this one in the fair too, but I haven’t decided if I want to enter that category this year.
One of my dear friends gave me a coneflower plant last year, which gave us one bloom. It must be happy, as this year there were three blooms. Such a pretty vibrant pink!
The cleome is still doing well too. I think I’ll have some seeds to scatter in the meadow and the part of the circle inside the driveway that doesn’t seem to be good for the bulbs.
We have a few little skinks running around, some really tiny. This one is about half grown. There is one really big one that may be a parent.
Our regularly visiting turkey comes by several times a week for a handout. He gets about 1/3 slice of whole grain bread, in little bites. He does the cluck-purr thing that is so fun to hear.
This is a curcuma ginger plant, another gift from a friend. The flowers are really unusual, and I think it is a member of the bromeliad family. The card that came with it says it can take the heat. But, it isn’t hardy, growing best in zones south of here, so I’ll bring it inside for the winter and see if I can keep it alive.
The bidens is spilling out all over the birdcage, with lots of yellow flowers trailing down. I’ve had so many nice comments on this birdcage upcycle as people come over to visit.
So, the flowers continue their blooming, but the heat is still here. Evenings are cooling off, and the mornings are lovely, but the humidity hangs on. It is hard to find a time to go hiking, but we have done a few walks in town and at Connemara. We are going to try to get to the Arboretum soon, not only to walk on the trails for exercise, but also to see the fiber art exhibit. Last night we stretched out on top of the garage on a quilt to see the Perseid Meteors. We only saw a couple of brief streaks as it was very hazy, but I think we may try again tonight. We did see Mars and Saturn.
What’s blooming in your garden? Did you see any of the meteor shower?
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Gardens Galore
From My Carolina Home 
I loved reading your post and gazing at the delightful photos. As I live in the UK hummingbirds are not seen here so I really loved those those pictures.
What lovely photos of all your flowers and visitors to your garden! Thank you for sharing.
I loved all your photos. Thanks for reminding me of the meteors. We must look tonight.
Your garden and your photos are just stunning.
I bought a curcuma last month, and it is doing great on my sunporch. I knew nothing about this plant but found great info at Costa Farms (www.costafarms.com) It tells you how to store it for winter depending on your area of the country.
A lovely montage of flowers and critters. I think your pink flower is a geranium not a begonia, but pretty regardless. Since you’ve had so much rain (and we’ve had so little), it may be that the bees have not been able to pollinate your squash flowers. I was too tired to stay up last night to see the meteor showers and it’s overcast today, but cooler so I’m not complaining.
Pat
I’ve had such a nice visit with you today. I love seeing all of the flowers, and the brilliance of colour that exists in your yard. Thanks for sharing with us
How lovely Carole! My garden is a complete jungle at the moment – with all the rain I haven’t been able to mow, it’s driving me nuts!
Hello Carole; I have especially enjoyed reading and seeing all of your photos. Your flowers are all beautiful, along with the variety of ways that you have displayed several of them. It really can make such an impact and always catches peoples attention. With all of our heavy horrible smoke again this year, the majority of flowers stopped blooming everywhere here. It really is depressing, so many green stalks with brown dead headed flowers atop. Hopefully next year will be better. I think you should enter your flowers in the fair, they are so pretty and overflowing in such a lovely way. They are sure to get a ribbon, along with all of your other items! Do you think they would let me judge? Thank you for sharing everything and have a fabulous day!
Daffodils, snowdrops, hyacinth, and grape hyacinth, camellias, and the grass is growing as I look at it. Your cleome, that is so delicate and pretty. I always enjoy a stroll through your garden, and the verandah has a beauty all of its own.
I did not see any of the meteor shower. The sedum was blooming beautifully, but it looks tacky suddenly – too much rain, I think. On the other hand, my Ch-ching yellow rose has been prolific without the use of flushing agents, and the smell is divine. I wish I had twenty of them, but I’ve found they are expensive now. I bought this one the first year out, and have nursed it along for 8 years, and it’s doing the best ever. I’m looking at Pinkerbell, a tea rose, for next year, perhaps.
P. S., what you called Bidens looks a lot like what I call lantana. =)
Beautiful photos of your plants and garden! I especially enjoy your bird pictures!
Your garden is looking wonderful. And it is obvious the wildlife enjoy it too.
What a fun tour of your garden and the wildlife. Sadly we downsized so we no longer have a garden to enjoy so yours was most welcome. Thank you so much Carole.
I love seeing photos of your beautiful flowers, Carole. I’ve divided my iris and added lots of compost when replanting, so I hope my blooms this coming Spring are as prolific as yours. That looks like a good size stick insect – I’ve never heard them called walking sticks, but Googled it to check. It’s a very apt name.
Hi! If you’re not familiar with it, Curcuma goes dormant in winter — so don’t be alarmed if, in September/October, all the leaves go yellow. It will put out new growth as temperatures warm next April/May. —Justin, Costa Farms Horticulturist
I can’t believe you are fast enough to get pics of the hummingbirds! I generally mamage to find my camera, and get it turned on….and then they fly away :~).
Delightful pictures! I so enjoy your flowers, since I have so few. The rabbits are nibbling on my pansies 😡, but I did have some surprise zinnias? In the planter that seeded themselves from last year. The rabbits don’t seem to care for those! We have spent lots of time on the roof this past week, but no star gazing, just sun. 😆
Your gardens are looking wonderful! Love seeing the hummers and gold finches.
Carole, I’m amazed you have iris blooming so late!
Love your chickadee and goldfinches!
How wonderful to have a place to be comfortable and gaze at the firmament.
Carole, what a wonderful visit to your gardens. The blue of the morning glory flower is so stunning! Love your photos of the walking stick, birds,and the skink. Thank you for sharing at Gardens Galore!
Oh I love seeing your hummingbird captures! Do you think it might be Black-chinned Hummingbird? It’s beyond its range but they have been reported in NC. We’ve only seen Ruby-throat ones here and they have some fierce hummer wars zipping around defending their territory. I love that you have a regular Tom that visits. 🙂
Lovely pictures! Such beauty!
Carole, your birds and blooms are stunning! It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, or favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your gardens.
Carole, your garden is so pretty. I love the deep blue morning glory, I don’t believe I have ever seen one with such deep color, it is gorgeous. Love all your birds too!