The September Garden on the ninth day of the month.

Looking slightly dishevelled and neglected

with the Sunflower Cafe open to its small bird customers

and with small bits of summer flowers blooming amongst the autumn asters and sedum

A straight soldierly sunflower volunteer stands guard beside the deep red climber.

and around the corner on the west side of the house the newly planted

Blaze has reached six feet or so, and celebrates with a scarlet farewell to summer

on each side the whorls of the spent clematis shine in the sunlight

in odd places the successful immigrants who arrived on the Chinese Lantern Express

smirk at me, even one tall plant whose hiding place had been discovered

six feet up the sweet pea fence as the plants fade and the seed pods form.

The remainders of the Roses bloom on valiantly

On Monday we shifted the large orange daylily from the middle of the

garden to various other spots, - along the west wall, a few flagging the patio and some

in the bed by the trailer.  I wish them all well..... 

I cherish them all, but still, it is the ladies who crashed the party who bring

the most vibrancy and generosity to the garden

as the small birds gather to feast among their lovely golden hearts.

As I wander the garden a gnome whizzes by on the driveway, flashing a reluctant grin.