How are we already at the end of August???

Since last week I showed you a couple of fails in the veg beds, I think it only fair to show you some in the floral department as well.

This sad looking thing is my HoneySuckle. I’m not sure what happened. It started to year off fine, flowered like it always does, then got covered in aphids. This happens every year. And by high summer, they disappear, and it flowers again twice as good. But not this year. I think maybe the aphids just overwhelmed it. You can see there’s still some green up there so there’s life in the roots. I’m hoping to get out there this weekend and cut it right back so hopefully next year it comes back beautiful.

I’m also pretty sure that it’s sad state is the reason I’ve only seen ONE snowberry clearwing moth this year. Honeysuckle is a host plant for the caterpillars, but this one isn’t hosting anyone!

The roses have had a very hard season thanks to these guys

The really seem to have focused on the blooms this year. Despite my efforts, they have just decimated every single one. As we approach the end of August, the onslaught is finally lessening and the roses are trying to make a come back.

The little jerks have also been hard on my weeping pussywillow

It’s a host plant for The Red Spotted Purple butterflies, and thankfully it hasn’t seemed to affect them.

The biggest garden fail is, of course, not having enough time to get out and keep the beds properly weeded.

Thankfully, the beds are packed so full of plants, it’s hard to see the weeds unless you know what you’re looking at!

And one last fail for you….

A certain Orange Mr. lept into the air trying to catch a Monarch….

And he landed on the plant support around this Chrysanthemum, got himself stuck and required assistance from the human.

Oh, the indiginity!