Summer colour is still going strong, with beautiful lace cap and mop-top hydrangeas putting on a show. Perennials like Rudbeckia, Solidago, Asters and Dahlias are in full bloom, adding rich splashes of colour throughout the garden.
Hollard Gardens
The Sedums are particularly stunning right now, their flower heads alive with honeybees, bumblebees, moths and butterflies—an essential nectar source for pollinators of all kinds.
On these hot days, we’re grateful for the shade of towering trees, providing welcome relief as we work beneath their canopy. Much of our time is spent ‘putting out fires’ which is us racing to remove weeds before they set seed. I often remind myself of the old gardening saying: one year of seed, seven years of weed. Every bit of progress now means fewer weeds to battle in the future, a thought that keeps me motivated knowing that seven years down the track there will be fewer weeds than there is today.
We’re already looking ahead to winter projects. We’re assessing difficult-to-maintain areas, considering how to simplify them while introducing hardy plants that can withstand the ever-changing climate. Thoughtful planting and design will help ensure the garden continues to thrive in the years to come.
Autumn is here and I look forward to it every year. It’s a special time when the garden slows down, settling into its cycle of rest. The cool, dewy mornings bring a refreshing change, offering a moment of stillness before the work of the new season begins.