My Garden In August

 

A few years ago there was a very popular song where they sang: 

"Summer, oh summer, hot summer, be with me ...

 I so want summer not to end, to be with me, to give light ..." 

Now, many of you may say that the summer was so hot that we don't need such a summer anymore. 

Here in the north of Europe the summer was cool and some days in June July and August were really very hot. Moreover, there was no problem with watering, since the rains had time to fill the barrels with water.

The garden grew and blossomed in such a way that one could only wonder how quickly some plants faded and others bloomed. 

Lilacs, rhododendrons, roses, hydrangeas, phlox, calendula, chamomile, sedum. 

Hosta, potentilla, raspberries, plums, apples, currants, gooseberries.....

We, people, are surprised at how quickly our lives go by, how quickly events fly by. In nature, everything happens even faster - in a few warm months, the life cycle of plants passes.

I show photos of my garden in August. I shot them in mornings and evenings, because plants and flowers are always beautiful. 

All the best to you, my friends.

Astilbe

I like Astilbe, it seems to me such an unobtrusive, even shy plant growing in the shade, which seems to be hiding there, giving way to more popular, well-known flowers. And yet it is so humble - does not require special care.

 

The name Astilbe comes from the Greek words 'a' - very, 'stilbe' - shine. It is given to the plant, probably for its shiny leaves. These are perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plants. Small flowers, white, pink, lilac, red or purple, are collected in apical inflorescence - panicles of various lengths.

 

It blooms in June - August. The most spectacular Astilbe is during flowering. Their delicate inflorescence appear in July and do not lose their attractiveness for 25-35 days.

 

 

The beauty of the inflorescence depends on their density. Small flowers are collected in elongated panicles. The flower petals of some varieties are short, and the inflorescence are airy and openwork, as if covered with small buds.

In other varieties, the petals are elongated, and these inflorescence look soft, fluffy.

Astilbe can be used not only to decorate the garden. Inflorescence in full bloom are suitable for cutting, and dried flowers look great in winter bouquets.

Do you like Astilbe? Do you grow it in your garden? 

Such Cute Calendula

 In early May I sowed Calendula seeds directly into the ground in raised flower beds. It was cold and the seeds remained in the ground until mid-May. 

 

 

As soon as it became warm and even hot, young shoots quickly began to grow. But I had to plant them in other places in the flower bed because they grew very densely.

Since mid-July, bright spots of orange, yellow, pale and brown have graced my raised flower beds. They go well with lilies, delphiniums, sedums, carnations, geraniums.

Calendula which common name is pot marigold, is native to Asia and southern Europe and has been traditionally used in medicine. It belongs to the same family as daisies, chrysanthemums, ragweed.

In September, after the Calendula blooms, I will definitely collect the seeds so I won't buy seeds next spring.

Now a natural medicine from Calendula is sold in a pharmacy:

Outwardly, an infusion of pot marigold flowers is used for rinsing as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. 

Do you grow Calendula or do you use medicine made from it?  

 

 

Now I'm learning to paint birds:

 

 

Here is my new video of my watercolors painted in summer: