Forest Garden in this afternoon’s rain. All of our Crepe Myrtle trees, save one, have come into bloom.
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“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
Confucius
You would never know it was August, here in Williamsburg, without consulting a calender.
We have embarked upon another stretch of cool, moist, overcast days. It is wonderfully fresh outside.
Good sleeping weather, actually, and we count ourselves fortunate that our garden remains well watered without our assistance.
Geranium and ornamental pepper grow near the door.
We have enjoyed the garden today, in short bursts, between showers.
How satisfying to see it is growing just as winter’s imagination promised.
Begonia, from the Homestead Garden Center
Cooler, moister days give us vibrantly deep color in petal and leaf.
Leaves grow into gigantic versions of their springtime selves.
Colocasia, “Blue Hawaii” just keeps growing to gigantic proportions. There are also a few “offsets” at the base, nearly ready to dig to share with friends.
Layer upon layer of life shimmers with rain-glow today; almost as if we were suddenly transported to the beautiful Northwest, or the magical gardens of the British Isles, from the view out of the window !
Cannas fill in this border nicely; Colocasia, Sages, and Lantana at their feet and Hibiscus behind.
Our hummingbirds have grown plump and sassy.
Every view punctuated with nectar rich flowers, they drink their fill, then pause on a handy branch to survey it all.
And we watch them, and talk to them like pets.
Ajuga, Coleus, Ivy, and Petunias.
Who knew August could be so lovely in Virginia?
We have been blessed with the sort of comfortable day which finds one reaching for those favorite jeans, a cup of coffee, and a good book.
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
Sir Francis Bacon
Autumn “Brilliance” Fern with Creeping Jenny
Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Forest Garden 
This has been a strange cooler Summer in East Texas. Usually July and August become 100 degrees and hotter, and wilt flowers by noon. I have not had to water much at all and have the same abundance of vegetables and flowers. I believe we even had record setting low! That is ok with me. Your flowers are beautiful!
Thank you! So happy you are also enjoying a temperate summer without drought. A blessing and a relief for us 😉 Best wishes, WG
I so enjoyed this post – I am glad the weather is being kind to you and your garden. Everything is looking so healthy and happy. I’m loving the variegated geranium/purple pepper combo!
Dear Eliza, So glad you enjoyed the post. I certainly enjoyed getting out while it was misting to take a few photos. When we moved in five years ago this week, it was over 100F, parched, and thoroughly miserable. Such a nice contrast with what we have experienced this season 😉 We’re loving these Geraniums, too. That one is actually in partial shade from nearby plants, but still doing very well. Thank you for stopping by Forest Garden today, E
Fertile and healthy! Robust even. 🙂 Looking good as ever, WG! Stay cool and take care, UT
Thanks, Keith, U2! 😉