State of the Garden Early August 2012

We have the "Hot August Blahs" in the garden currently as shown in this photo of an empty birdbath.  The deer have been drinking it each evening and to deter them, I have left it empty. If you look closely, you'll notice the deer have eaten the coral bells or Heuchera which surround the birdbath.  So they not only get a drink, they also get free nibbles!  The bar is closed.

The birds are not happy either, but there are not many birds because of the aggresive sparrow who claimed this part of the garden as his territory.  If you recall, earlier this summer we took down the birdhouse to deter the sparrow from rebuilding his nests and chasing all the other birds away. 

On top of that, the landscaper mowed the wildflowers beyond the fence so the goldfinches no longer stop by for water either.  They ate the seeds of the coreopsis, the rudbeckia, and the common mullein before it was string cut last week.

It's like a war zone--and the enemy is heat, humidity, insects, wildlife and our landscaper!  Interesting combination of opposing forces...

But the garden lives on giving what pleasure it can despite the forces working against it.

I found a bee in the coneflowers or Echinacea.

And a bee in the perennial sunflowers or Helianthus.

I found a beetle on the bloom of the new tree rose, but only one--so he's not an enemy yet!

I put some mesh over the other roses because the deer were eating them.  They have recovered from damage by Known Enemy #1.  I also covered the last of the daylily buds so that it has a chance to bloom before becoming a "munchie" at the birdbath.

The tree rose seems to have survived the deer because it is located in the far end of the garden behind some daisies. Stepping stones lead from between the daisies to the bench surrounded by Buddleia or butterfly bush, Cleome or spider plant, Cosmos, Gaura or snow fountain, Hardy Geranium or cranesbill and Alyssum. I call it the Secret Garden.

And I hope it stays that way.  No deer allowed!

The deer don't bother the Helenium or sneezeweed which are blooming right on schedule.

The Liriope or lilyturf also knows it is August and has put forth its spiky bloom.

And the 'Limelight' Hydrangea is blooming green and turning white as it matures. This one looks like a heart.  Maybe I'll declare a truce against all the garden's enemies--if they would just leave it alone!