Sunshine's substitutes

I realize the days of summer are numbered as I stroll through the evening garden aware of a slight chill in the air. The sun dips down sooner than this gardener is ready for and I find myself even more drawn to the brilliant yellows and warm golds outside my windows. Sunflowers are even more appealing now and I find myself with a silly grin plastered across my face whenever I see them. This season I let a few germinate from bird seed scattered on the ground. They've been a welcome accidental addition to the yard.

Another "huh" in the garden is a pumpkin plant that sprung up where I believe I may have "stored" last year's jack-o-lantern. This one is rambling along the fence between our house and the neighbor's. After consulting my fellow SAGBUTT's, I've decided to let it do its thing and see what happens.

Crocosmia that survived the backyard renovation. I dug some up and added it to the catwalk bed but there's more coming up along the lawn's edge and even in the wood mulch near the rain barrels. Clearly this is a hearty addition to the garden and one that I don't mind one bit.

This dahlia, a cactus variety I believe, was in the side yard when we moved here. It gets well over 5 feet tall and some of the blooms are as big as my hand. I had transplanted it a couple years ago but I think the dogs got the best of it. Thinking all was lost I had husband install a raised bed over its original real estate. Then earlier this year it shot up among the corn and tomato plants. If it's going to be that determined it can stay right where it is.

Rudbekia, or Black Eyed Susans, are spread around the front garden to mingle with daisies. I enjoy their bright yellow faces with dark centers that play off the Chocolate Cosmos I have growing nearby.