The best days of summer so far

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies'.

These October days have been the best days of summer so far this year.

In all likelihood, we probably did have some nice summer days, but they are crowded out by the memory of one hot, dry day after the next through most of July and August.

Now that it is October, the mornings are cool and the afternoons are warm, but not hot. The sun is shining and the sky is as blue as the aptly named aster, 'October Skies' (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies'.)

There are many signs, though, that this is October, not summer. The most obvious sign is the shortened days. Until we "fall back" an hour for the seasonal time change, it is dark in the mornings until well past 7:00 am. It also gets dark earlier each evening.

Outside, the leaves of the honey locust blanket the newly planted ground cover bed around its base.

The honey locust tree is always the first to lose its leaves each fall.  I'll just leave these leaves in place to decay and enrich the soil.

In this same bed one of the toad-lilies is blooming.

Tricyrtis 'Imperial Banner'

I just planted it a few weeks ago. They told me at Soules Garden where I purchased this 'Imperial Banner' toad-lily that it would have foliage that was nearly all green in spring and gradually become more variegated through summer and fall.  The toad-lilies are usually the last new flowers of the season here in my garden.

Elsewhere in the back, at the edge of Plopper's Field, my passalong asters are all blooming now, too.

Some people call these Michaelmas daisies because they generally bloom beginning in late September, especially around September 29th, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel.  They are covered with bees and butterflies who know that these nice days will not last forever.

I also know that these October summer days will not last forever.

I find myself wanting to admire the days away rather than scurry around the garden preparing for winter like the squirrels are doing now.  I'll fight that urge to just sit and be, though hopefully there is time for that, too.  I'll mow the lawn, which is growing like summer now. Soon I'll be planting bulbs for spring flowers. Two of four bulb orders have already been delivered; the other two orders are surely on their way.

I'll perhaps add some mulch to the flower beds and  plant a hand for Halloween.

I'm still working on the placement of the hand, but I have a few weeks to get it right. I hope those few weeks are as nice as last week.

These October days have been the best days of summer... even though it is fall now.