With a single night dipping into the thirties (Fahrenheit), flowers of several toad lilies (Tricyrtis) have quickly faded. Others remain in bloom, attracting the few bees still active.

The last of the toad lilies to flower was the vigorous ‘Miyazaki’, but it is also the first to fade and set seed (below). I’ve potted many seedlings this year to pass along to visitors and family. While seedlings of other varieties are rare, I’ve no doubt there will be many more ‘Miyazaki’ to pot or weed out next year.

Several toad lilies have variegated foliage of interest, but most are unremarkable until flowering begins in August. Does the month of early autumn blooms earn its keep? Better to ask the bees, but my answer is also yes. I garden for foliage color and texture, but also must have flowers.

In the lower rear garden, the Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, below) has reached its peak as the neighboring swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) has faded. I suspect the recently planted neighbors are equally aggressive. I’ve ignored color combinations (which are of lesser importance in my colorblindness) to witness the competition. Of course, both will assist in reducing maintenance by spreading through this damp and fertile soil.