Yes, I’ve whined about the lack of rainfall, though today I happily report that a storm came through late in the afternoon. But, then I watched as others brushed past with no more than a few droplets of moisture, so there’s reason to complain. Still, the garden lives on, and without my pulling hoses around.
Various hostas flower from June into August, but this August flowering leafed hosta (unknown cultivar, possibly even a seedling) with yellow leaves is the best of the bunch. The flowers are tightly bunched, and a superb color contrast to the leaves.
As always, there are a few scorched leaves on hostas that would be better planted in more shade, but I can live with a bit of short term ugliness. Plants in this garden have been raised to survive without my regular attention, and rarely do I consider that the garden could look so much better with automated irrigation. In fact, in most of the garden I expect that irrigation would make little or no difference, which is to say that even in the dryness of August, the garden is looking good.
While two shaded blue mist shrubs (Caryopteris) are delayed in flowering, the pale yellow leafed ‘Worcester Gold’ has already faded. This common blue mist shrub is nearing its peak. Butterflies and other pollinators have noticed.
In recent weeks I’ve noted the abundant pollinators in the garden, and while native Joe Pye and Mountain mint are most popular, a variety of native and non-natives follow a step behind. The shaded parts of the garden are quiet except for birdsong, but there’s hardly an area in the sun where the buzz isn’t heard as you approach.
The hummingbird moth (or hummingbird hawk moth) is regularly seen on the garden’s lone buddleia and most frequently on the many flowers of Verbena bonariensis along the path to the rear garden.Late summer and early autumn flowering of reblooming Encore azaleas is variable. Some years the flowering is abundant, others very scattered. Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’ in part shade flowers later than others in more sun, and it also attracts many fewer pollinators.Salvias have convinced me that deadheading can be worth the effort. If flowering stems are snapped off, more flowers quickly follow.This native, lance leafed loosestrife has remained in flower for weeks, though it seems not to be a favorite of pollinators.Two seedlings of the huge ‘Tardiva’ hydrangea have grown quite large, though they must be chopped back annually to work with neighboring plants.The yellow leafed ‘Canyon Creek’ abelia is an excellent bloomer with flowering that will extend well into autumn.The ‘Millenium’ alliums are exceptionally long bloomers and favorites of pollinators.Joe Pye weed is a favorite of swallowtail butterflies. A tall seedling that leaned over the path to the lower, rear garden has been tied so the path is passable.Little Lime hydrangea is not so little, growing to six feet tall and wide. It is covered in blooms, Another of the late flowering hostas.
I planted a couple of hummingbird clethra in an area that gets morning sun & afternoon protection several years ago…has the be the worst shrub I have ever planted…never looks good always drooping from lack of water , flowers turn brown quickly … is it me or is this not worth keeping
I agree that clethra, no matter white or pink flowered, is not a terribly exciting shrub. Even in dry shade, and never watered, it does not wilt in my garden, but it survives, looks good but unremarkable. In part shade it is one of the few summer flowers. If this garden was smaller in size there would be no clethras.
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
I planted a couple of hummingbird clethra in an area that gets morning sun & afternoon protection several years ago…has the be the worst shrub I have ever planted…never looks good always drooping from lack of water , flowers turn brown quickly … is it me or is this not worth keeping
I agree that clethra, no matter white or pink flowered, is not a terribly exciting shrub. Even in dry shade, and never watered, it does not wilt in my garden, but it survives, looks good but unremarkable. In part shade it is one of the few summer flowers. If this garden was smaller in size there would be no clethras.