Just look how small the plants look in spring. I was very happy with the tulips at the time but compared to them the rest of the garden appears lacking.
Today it is full of perennials, a few annuals and the foundation plantings have grown significantly. the butterfly bush is five times the size as it was last season. It will need some major trimming if I am to keep it there. The yews and euonymous have doubled in size although I am strongly considering removing the euonymnous. They look fantastic but are spreading and spreading fast. The mums are popping out with their red flowered blooms hearkening the coming of the fall season. The coreopsis have faded after pushing forth their bountiful blooms but the Russian sages in the front have born blossoms all summer and are showing very few signs of stopping. In fact the garden bed on the closest side of the picture wasn't even there when the first shots of spring were taken.
Here is the new section of the sidewalk garden from ground level, or at least as close as I can crouch! Far in the back are the asters from last fall are blooming again with their purple flowers. Purple seems to be a theme in the front garden, with an occasional yellow-orange plant for a contrasting color.
The silver mound artemisia was a new addition this year. I really like how it is spilling out onto the sidewalk with its soft feathery foliage. It definitely lives up to its name! I'd like to add a few more rocks for ornamental reasons into the garden.
I know that summer is still officially the season but with the weather taking a turn toward cooler temperatures it really makes one reflect on the year's successes. This is what is great about blogging about your garden, you see it all as it happens and after it happens! You can truly reflect on the garden's accomplishments. Of course you could do that with just a camera, but it wouldn't be as fun!