Running and Shadows

Running has been the theme of this summer.  Not literally--while I have no problems sprinting after an errant pass on the volleyball court, running just for the sake of running is just not in my nature. No, I mean running more in the sense of being always on the go... which I am again today.

The first blooms (ever) are showing up on my passalong brugmansia

So before I start my quick run to my parents' house, to see my brother off on his cross-country trek to his new home in New Mexico, I thought I'd take some time to appreciate the front garden in the morning.  Much of it is cloaked in shadow since it faces west, but those plants that are bathed in sunlight are really set off nicely by the depth of the shadows.

This self-sown portulaca blazes at the foot of the cool 'Black & Blue' salvia, surrounded by purple salvia lyrata

 My 'Black & Blue' salvia is visited by hummingbirds daily

 'Red Rocks' penstemon are supposed to be very touchy in my area, but they (and the sea kale) seem to like my well-draining sandbar of a front garden

 This spring, I replaced a horribly broken lavender with three different 'Acapulco' agastaches --they (like the lavender) still give off a wonderful fragrance when you brush past them, but keep the feel a lot more airy and open

 Looking up from the sidewalk, the "late summer" section of the garden is starting to shine

(Literally, in the case of the 'Golden Sword' yucca)

 The first blooms on my caryopteris are starting to break, and 'Albury Purple' St. John's Wort is offering some new foliage in a nice contrasting color

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On the other side of the caryopteris, the 'Hameln' pennisetum that I failed (again) to move this spring glows like a handful of sparkles in the slanted morning light.

And with that... I'm hitting the shower and then the road.  Hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!