First.. how the “EXPLETIVE” is the last day of August? Did I blink and miss a whole month – it certainly feels like it!

But, as it is the last day of August, it’s time to take a look at the garden.

This time of year is almost always good for the roses. The cooler nights, but still warm days encourage them to bloom their little hearts out.

We haven’t had much of those cool nights, this week – it’s still stinking hot, but the roses are thriving anyway.

I do, however, have a bone to pick with Walmart. Now I know I shouldn’t expect a lot from Walmart. But when I bought Tournament of Roses from a clearance sale back in July… I thought I’d at least be getting what I paid for. However….

That is NOT even remotely Tournament of Roses, which is a light, peachy pink rose. ToR is also a Floribunda, and I’m pretty sure this is a Hybrid Tea. I’m not opposed to it, or the colour – though honest it’s not one I would have picked out. What really bothers me is – I don’t know what it’s called!!!! Looking at pictures… It might be Ring of Fire… or Wildfire.. or Las Vegas…. or… I just don’t know. There are far too many of a similar colour and style to be sure!

Oh well, it’s here now, front and centre in the front yard, so I guess it’s good that I like it a little….

Speaking of front and centre.

When I built the island garden this summer, I transplanted one small little cosmos seedling from the front border. And as you can see… it’s VERY happy. It should bloom any day now.

My Xanthos cosmos in the side garden is doing almost as well. I hope it reseeds like all my other cosmos have, but I’m going to save some seed from it just incase. I’d love to have this one year after year.

Another new arrival is the Hydrangea I planted this spring.

I’m not a huge Hydrangea fan, but I needed something that would work well under the dripline of the Maple. This little guy was just the ticket. It’s called Little Limelight, and the flowers start off light lime, turn white, then to a pretty shade of pink that you see just coming now. When the weather cools a bit, I’ll be transferring a Honeysuckle shrub which is currently along our driveway over here too. It will give us a nice border between us and the neighbour’s yard

All of the usual suspects are doing their thing, just as they should this time of year.

But the signs of comin fall are all around…

This Hardy Mum is already putting on quite a show, though my others are only just starting to bud up.

The garden centres had all their mums out, so I got some to change over the front boxes.

And…

The Toad Lilies are blooming! It’s always a sign that fall isn’t far away when these guys start popping open!