Walking the stone path above the lower circle patio is treacherous at the moment with slick, sodden blooms fallen from the stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia, below). Many flowers remain in the tree far above, but several are visible from the few lower branches. Uppermost blooms can be seen from the sunroom through the clutter of Japanese maples and the neighboring Samaritan dogwood.

With ongoing cleanup of the fallen bigleaf magnolia, there is still time to stroll the garden. The ratio of work to play time is greatly skewed, with far more labor than I intend, but I will not miss a bloom. I notice that deer have nibbled several leaves and flowers of the sprawling oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, below) by the koi pond patio. I must follow up to spray the repellent, with a follow-up to several tall phlox also.

Deer have become more brazen in their feeding this year. In the past, the upper rear garden near the house was off limits, but deer have recently nibbled hostas by the upper patio. Just a little more area to spray, so no big deal. I’m afraid that I’ve encouraged deer when I stop spraying the repellent by mid-autumn to let them eat fading perennials.

The coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are coming into bloom along the driveway. Unsurprisingly, every year there are a few more of the native pink-purple and a few less of the white flowers I planted long ago. I suppose that coneflowers are short-lived, and seedlings are unlikely to be white, but purple or white, bees enjoy both.