Clearly nobody has informed the catmint and columbines in my garden that the end of the growing season is fast approaching. The columbines or acquilegia are excellent self-seeders and they have had a banner year. I spent a morning moving young columbine seedlings to places where they will do some good and not get stepped on. The catmint simply grows and grows. Mostly that is a good idea, since it has lovely blue flowers that attract every pollinator in the immediate area, not to mention a good number of cats. However, it is overwhelming a couple of hybrid tea roses, which is not a good idea, so after I finished the columbine, I gave the catmint a severe pruning. If we have two more weeks of clement weather, they will be back to hurricane strength once again.
All the catmint and onion grass clippings go right down the groundhog hole. I cling to the primitive faith that the scents will deter the now beach ball-shaped animals. I try to rake loudly so I won’t hear them sniggering from the depths of their boroughs.
As I gardener I feel the effects of the gradual diminution of the light and a part of me wants to slow down as colder weather approaches. It is ironic that some of my garden plants seem to want to do just the opposite.