The predominant color on our property
right now is the dull, brittle yellow of the lawn. We've had lots of
heat and next to no rain (except for those glorious couple of days
last week). Luckily, up here, a green lawn
this time of year is NOT something to be proud of.
Below is a closeup right after David mowed the weeds, um, "lawn" in the back. I think there's a crushed Douglas Fir cone in there too. You can see a few blades of green proving that
there indeed was grass here at one time.
Yes, in the rainy Northwest, "real"
gardeners know to just let their lawn (if they even HAVE a lawn) go
dormant in the summer and leave the spring and autumn rains to green
them up for a couple of seasons. Watering is for food and flowers.
But the more enjoyable yellow of summer
is from Black-Eyed Susans, whole swaths of them planted in public
spaces as well as private gardens. Even while we're wilting, they look
insanely cheerful.
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Sometimes I resent all those waving,
yipping heads of Rudbeckia. It's HOT! Why are you so HAPPY! This
is NOT what I moved north for! Where are my clouds? My muted light?
My beloved gloom? Where's my damp? Ok. Ok. Deep breath, Emily, get a grip.
The colors are beautiful and rich and definitely NOT dead and crunchy!
And when you get really close to just
one of those blooms, the glare turns to glow and then to a radiance I can't even begin to capture with my camera. But, trust me, it made me smile.
Although August has never been my favorite month--either here or in SoCal--there are tomatoes and blackberries to pick, chilled Rose to drink, and some yellow worth admiring.
From the street my little white house is cheerfully lit by bursts of bright yellow blooms....it's a summer garden now. The Susan's thrill, and spill, even though there is no chill....sorry couldn't resist. I'm totally into those babies...and each time I see a new leaf and stem struggle through the dry soil, I mentally cheer. Their colorful blossoms and eagerness to embrace the summer heat without ever wilting makes me think if they can do it so happily, then so can I.
ReplyDeleteJen
Jen, I love the idea of a house being "lit" by bright flowers! Great way to imagine it. None of the photos I posted are from my garden because I've had NO luck trying to grow them from seeds. Looks like I'll just have to go out and buy some. The photos themselves are all from public walkways in and around Bellingham.
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ira!
DeleteI love rudbeckia and have stuffed them in everywhere. I love how cheerful and uninhibited they are. :o)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Tammy, about them being uninhibited. Especially in a large grouping (oh dear, am I hearing the main song from "Hair" right now?)
DeleteI'm also a big Rudbeckia fan, triloba is my favorite. I'm also thinking of R. hirta in my containers next year and also trying R. laciniata.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions, Jason. Just looked up images for R. laciniata and came across the 'Hortensia' variety. I definitely have to plant me some of those!
DeleteEmily, just saw your reply comment...I have no idea how mine propagate...they just kind of show up...so I'm thinking that they must start from seed. I couldn't grow them on the coast, it was too wet, and too cool...they certainly like it here. Next spring I am going to try to transplant a few of the smaller ones to the back, and then keep a eye on them. If I get enough seed from the current ones I can send you some to scatter this fall...
ReplyDeleteYour Rudbeckia images are beautiful, but I agree, the summer light this year has been harsh, just like the heat. Rudbeckia in my garden never gets watered and the drought made them grow so short, but the flowers still looked good despite the drought. They are great plants for the dry summer.
ReplyDelete