Late Summer Blooms

Many of my beautiful summer blooms have either played out or on the brink of seasonal extinction. However, several of them are still thriving despite the scorching outdoor temperatures we've had the past few weeks. The Monarda, Shrimp Plant, Lantana, Verbena, Tecoma, Bougainvillea, a few Zinnias and the Bat-Face Cuphea are some of the blooms that remain. How fortunate for the hummingbirds because they enjoy most of these...

Pink and Scarlet Monarda (Bee Balm)
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Hummingbirds love Bee Balm!
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Scarlet Monarda
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Shrimp Plant- the hummingbirds love this one, too!
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Pink Charme Verbena
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More Pink Verbena
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Yellow Lantana
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Pink Lantana
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Tecoma
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Yellow Bougainvillea
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Peachy Zinnias
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Bat-Face Cuphea
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Surround Yourself With Beauty

It feels good to be surrounded by beauty...

I call it Soul Therapy.

Many of you were inspired to share images of bright, colorful flowers in your blog posts yesterday.  The love and attachment that we humans have to beauty is universal, and flowers can speak volumes.  

The pink miniature roses above grow wild on a fence which surrounds a horse pasture- what a nice surprise to find beauty in unexpected places!  The remainder of images below were shot from my front porch, starting with the "blues"- Lobelia and Hydrangea.

The pretty orange and bright pink blooms are New Guinea Impatiens.  They do well in the shade.  

Plants that love the sun get plenty of it.  This group includes the Shrimp plant, Tacoma, Bells of Fire,  Pentas, Verbena and Bat Face Cuphea.

An assortment of pretty greens also love my porch...Ivy, Spider plant and Philodendron.

On my front porch I am content to be surrounded by such beauty...

"Don't wait for someone else to bring you flowers.

Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul". 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!