We’re only a few days into October, and normally the gardens are still looking pretty good. This year… not so much. The lack of rain has really robbed the garden of it’s lushness. There’s still a fair bit in bloom, but there’s a lot of brown in between.

The bigger sunflowers are starting to die off – but these Vanilla Icecream ones are still going strong. And the finches are still loving them.

The Mums are all doing pretty well.

Neighbour Bronson gave me a beautiful planter as a thank-you for taking care of Freya and his gardens while he was in Portugal.

It contains a really beautiful Mum which will definitely be going in the garden before the weather gets too cold!

Bolero – the best smelling rose in my garden is blooming again. But sadly, it’s STILL dealing with those darn Japanese beetles. There are a lot less of them – but ARGH!!! I’ve never seen them stick around past early September.

The Cosmos, of course, are still going strong an beautiful .They don’t have quite as many flowers as they could, but the drought doesn’t keep them down. I’ve got several different varieties now and I’m always on the lookout for more.

Just like the tickseed…

The last thing I need is more plants… but I couldn’t resist picking up these two at the nursery the other day. I do have the pink one – but that red one is totally new – look at those neat petals

I also picked up this gorgeous rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan). I had it at the townhouse once upon a time. The pot has three plants, too, so I can spread it around a bit.

It’s been a hard year for the Dahlias – but they seem to be making up for it now…

And can you believe this is just one single zinnia plant?

It just keeps going and going and going. In fact, most of the annuals are thriving.

And after waiting, and waiting and waiting…

The “Eskimo” marigolds I started from seed have finally bloomed. In truth, they aren’t white at al, but a pale butter cream.

Still… Marigolds are one of those plants that just shine this time of year.

What I’m really thrilled about are these

I’ve tried to grow Chinese Lanterns for years. And finally – this year, I found success. I have three beautiful clumps and their all starting to turn orange.

And last – I do know that despite the heat (it’s scorching again) fall is on it’s way…

The toad lilies have bloomed, and the Monkhood isn’t far behind. They are the last two flowers to bloom – and the true harbingers of cooler days.