Late summer workout

Who needs the gym when you can spend hours muscling weeds out of the ground. Thanks to a childcare trade off, I got to spend the entire afternoon in the garden. I did a bit of planting: some Sweet Flag between pavers, a Gardenia by the back gate ... but mostly I pulled grass that has been trying to turn one of my front beds into a prairie. It was bound to happen. Most of my garden attention is on the backyard where I earlier planted some eye catching beauties like this Echinacea 'Big Sky.'

Another Echinacea in the the catwalk border but I don't recall the name. I think I'm going to try seed collecting this year, and this is one I'd like to duplicate around the garden. Especially out front where after pulling weeds and grass today I have so much more space! The grass in our front yard has long been my most formidable opponent. It's slowly losing it's hold in the garden beds, but it's not quick enough. Still it was good to be out there for such a long stretch; talking to myself, arguing with the weeds and constantly hiking up my shorts.

Astilbe snuggled up against the west side of the house where it enjoys a bit of shade. I love it's fluffy plumes which have great staying power. They dry nicely, too, providing a bit of fall interest.

First daylily bloom of the season. This was taken last month and at the time was the only flower. The plants were divided up during the backyard renovation so must be taking their time to settle in. I noticed today many more flower buds have appeared.