Many thirsty leaves have fallen after a dry late summer, but aside from drought-stressed yellows it’s a few weeks early for autumn foliage colors. But, there’s plenty of color in the garden, from late-blooming perennials, purple and white beautyberries, and red berries of dogwoods, hollies, and spicebushes.

Fewer pollinating insects are seen, but there are plenty of flowers to fill their needs. In recent weeks, several hummingbirds made the rounds to visit blooms in view from the sunroom, but perhaps they’ve moved on as cool weather approaches.

While most trees in the garden will hold onto their leaves for another month, a few of the redbuds are nearly bare. Some leaves were lost to fall webworms that were allowed to feast, but redbuds display their displeasure with dryness by wilting then reviving with each light rain, but then by dropping leaves early.

I provided little water for a newly planted ‘Flamethrower’ redbud, so it dropped most of its leaves. I was a bit concerned, but I’m relieved to see prominent flower buds on most branches.