This continues to draw deer, but I'm happy that they're satisfied with eating fallen apples and don't venture into the mammalian smorgasbord that is the flower garden. A few apples and then a mad dash to the hedge.
They're becoming fairly comfortable with us watching their antics, and don't seem too annoyed...
...except by the biting flies that proliferate in late summer.
Another late-summer proliferator...the cleome. These tall, spiky pink flowers were a bit of a surprise. I'd forgotten how bold they were when I sprinkled a few seedlings around the garden...they're now the dominant force there.
They're a bit wild and unruly, so I'll be more careful next year. They're annuals, but are rabid re-seeders. I've collected a huge bag of seeds already and if I'm diligent, can probably quadruple the amount I currently have. I could seed a whole field with these guys!
Eriophyid mites have infected another group of coneflowers...
...but otherwise, things are calm in the garden. I'm seeing delightful signs that summer - my least favorite season - is nearing an end.
Autumn Joy sedum is starting to bloom.
My pure white Little Lime hydrangea is starting to get a tinge of fall color.
And a great fall bloomer, ironweed, is coming up everywhere in untamed meadows beyond the fences. If you see a splash of purple looming in the roadside weeds and fields, it's probably ironweed.
It's actually a member of the sunflower family and named ironweed for the tough stem. These tall fall visitors are great for butterflies and bees. The tiny flowers look like little asters when opened...
...and thistles when closed.
They make great fillers in bouquets, although I had to be careful when picking these from along an overgrown fence line. Todd found a hornet's nest out by the white barn, and hornets are busily entering and exiting the nest all day long!
They're great pollinators and die off when the weather gets cool, so normally we'd just leave the nest alone, but I'm not sure we'll be able to mow in the vicinity of the nest if it's occupied. We're still deciding what to do.
Speaking of barnyard companions, Claudia is keeping an eye on us. Sometimes she's in the tree...
..or keeping careful watch from the vicinity of our outdoor activities.
She proudly delivered another dead vole this weekend, proving herself to be both a cuddly, joyful cat and a great worker, too. We love having her around!
Our other cats are somewhat less motivated to work.
That's okay...we'll still keep them around. :)
Have a great week!
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