A Well-Watered Garden

Summer evenings can be beautiful, magical, full of delight. One can understand why so many stories were written about fairies and other magical happenings at this time of day, in this season. These photos were taken during one of those hushed warm evenings, when the sun has just set. The truck was asleep on a bed of moonlit-drenched hydrangeas, transforming it into something other than a truck. Maybe a flying time machine at rest or a coach flown by moths and bats. Even in the dead of winter, I can watch this video to see the fireflies.

Autumn rain makes the colors so bright and beautiful. The falling, bright colored leaves seem like a celebration. The Hickories are turning bright gold:  The Burning Bush on the west side of the house is slowly being painted scarlet:  The shrub roses adorn themselves with raindrop pearls: The Hostas drink all the water they can by gathering with their big jungle leaves and storing it deep into their root systems: The Hydrangeas' fall colors shimmer in the rain. Muted pink, purple, and green pastels blend into each other, looking like organza dresses at an old-fashioned ice cream social:  The crabapples look good enough to eat. But we know better.  The Hickories and Oaks live in harmony, celebrating Autumn together.

Most recent photos of both the purple and cream. The third photo is a younger purple blossom - vanilla with pink edges. 8-9-11 Update: The Hydrangeas have flourished this summer. The six I transplanted down to the shady area grew beautiful healthy green leaves, and all but two have blossomed. The deep purples and pinks look so beautiful next to the cream-colored ones. The purples are dwarfed by the creams because they had such a head start. Next summer the playing field may be more even - with both starting and sprouting up at the same time. The Hydrangeas bring me deep joy. I found myself looking forward to checking on them every day this summer - more than any other plant. They have such a charm, a Fourth of July, endless summer, watermelon, sprinkler-playing, quiet, old soul charm. Here are the six: Photo of all of them: 6-2-2011 They are definitely doing well and recovering! I think that was it - they were in too much full sun. Now they are in dappled shade an...