Teetering on the edge

The garden at this time of year might be compared to this high wire artist. Things could go south any day if an early hard frost or freeze were to make an appearance. It is early, but it could happen. I usually try to keep things up—water, cut off dead blooms and pull out spent annuals—through mid-October or so. By Halloween, I’m ready to take a rest and let the garden do the same.


It’s rather nice now, though. There is some windblown weed aster that is making quite a show in the same bed with the heliopsis (blooming since July) and the buddleia (also since July). And roses can be depended upon through frost.


I love the tropicals for this reason. They don’t recognize our seasons. All they know is that if it gets too cold they’ll die. That hasn’t happened yet.