Ah, Summer, that time of endless sun, relaxation and fun outdoors. I remember as a kid thinking summer would never come and then would seemingly never end. Then came August and the realization of back to school and gradually shorter days. It was inevitable those days of leisure would slide into Indian Summer and then into Autumn.
Summer in Upstate New York has been unpredictable. We have had every type of weather, except snow. Days of unbearable heat, many days of tremendous rain and wind, clear days, cloudy days, and like the past week, days obscured by a haze from Canadian wildfires. Just as the weather has been unpredictable, so too has been my schedule. Gone are the days of little obligation, except Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, and the ability to work every day uninterrupted in the garden. The pattern of my days is now marked by what work I can get done in the garden between conference calls. Gone is any real thought of leisure.
The garden, despite a proliferation of weeds, continues to delight and offer a respite from the news of the world. Each new blossom proclaims a magnificent world of wonder.
Pink Hibiscus, a favorite.
The garden around the pool has a variety of plants blooming now. We planted this area to provide some color throughout the season.
Red Hibiscus
Hydrangeas are such amazing plants. The profusion of blossoms make for an elegant display. We have 8 different varieties around the pool. Last year, all of the hydrangea plants bloomed. This year, some of the plants are sitting the year out and are not blooming. Even though it is an off year, we still have plenty of blossoms.
The meadow has captured our attention throughout the season. Started as an experiment, the meadow has provided months of striking views. Now that we are in August, we can see what the meadow looks like throughout summer. This first video was taken on June 24, 2025 in preparation for our garden tour. The garden tour was a success. We had about 50 visitors on a sunny and not too hot day.
This next video was taken on July 27, 2025. The yarrow grew taller. As a result of wind and rain, it no longer stood upright, but still provided a blanket of white flowers. It still looks the same in August.
The meadow flowers I planted have grown and will hopefully multiply in future years. To help make the color more diverse we will plant more seeds. I am considering doing this in the fall, just as nature would reseed wildflowers.
The meadow has presented a bit of a conundrum. This beautiful set of purple flowers are in one part of the meadow. The bees like them. I think they look lovely. However, according to the internet, it is an invasive weed. Should I pull it before it seeds?
The internet can be misleading. I took a photo of several clusters of small plants in the meadow and used the plant finder to identify them. The plant finder told me they were a type of mimosa tree. The leaf structure looked like those of a mimosa tree. This is a highly invasive tree in our area. I did not want to have any mimosa trees growing, so I carefully pulled them all. However, I must have missed a few, because when we returned from vacation I found some flowering. They were not mimosa trees at all, but rather a native plant. Of course, now I regret pulling all the others.
The meadow like the rest of the garden is an experiment. We try things to see what will grow, when it will bloom, and how to achieve a more interesting landscape. The meadow has been a success. Next year we should have more blossoms and will enlarge it slightly. Other areas of the garden I have been less than satisfied and I am planning to make some changes.
Summer is a time for escape. In July, we had a lovely time visiting friends in Germany. A highlight was visiting the Eibsee.
Last weekend, we went to a friend’s lakeside home for a party. Andrew, as with everything else he tries, proved to be quite adept at paddleboarding.
Summer will come to an end. Yet, we will remember the happy, carefree times, the days of good weather, bright blossoms, new mown grass, gentle breezes, millions of fluttering leaves, butterflies flitting by, and the tranquility of watching fireflies dart through the evening air. We will look back upon these good times and sigh wishing the days could always be so.
“Then followed that beautiful season … summer. Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay, as if new-created in all the freshness of childhood.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“I remember as a kid thinking summer would never come and then would seemingly never end. Then came August and the realization of back to school and gradually shorter days. It was inevitable those days of leisure would slide into Indian Summer and then into Autumn.”
This was my experience exactly growing up in NE Ohio. As kids with daily activities (riding bikes, going to day camp, hanging out at the public pool, and playing neighborhood games of hide & seek and kick-the-can), the summer still seemed endless. Now retired and spending most of the time in my garden, the summer speeds past! I can’t believe it’s August already…
It is amazing. I spend months waiting for winter to end. It seems to creep along and summer flies by. Still, it is wonderful and your time in NE Ohio sounds wonderful!
It’s been an odd summer all around but good gardens take it all in stride. Your hibiscus are stunning. A great shot of the two of you at the lake. A beautiful spot. Summers used to feel endless as a child. Now I find them flying by and wondering where did Spring go. Thus, it’s so important to stop and just enjoy from time to time.
Thank you for your kind words. Sorry, I did not respond more promptly, I forgot to check. Hope you have enjoyed the rest of your summer.