With the plentiful supply of both water and sun this past summer, the annuals are still going strongly in most gardens (and garden centers, which is where these photos were taken). Usually the flowers are slowing down at this point in the season, so this show is very much appreciated, especially with its strong and saturated hues. With the sun lower in the sky, the richness is only amplified. Lantana is one of those magical flowers that manages to have almost an entire rainbow within its blooms.
As seen above, the coleus is going to bloom – something most would typically discourage to promote leaf growth and bushiness, but which is welcome now for the grand summer finale. I’ve let the Thai basil in our garden go to bloom too, enjoying its dark violet shade for an unexpected flash of color. It’s the end of summer again – it’s time to let go and let bloom.
Maybe it’s time for us to do that in life too.
