Goodbye summer garden

I planted mums today in my feed bucket pots all around the house.  Soon they will be filled with yellow, white, pink, and red fall blooms.  After that, I headed into the garden to give it a good fall cleaning.  The invasive sweet potato vine had to be taken out so I could see where I had space for new flowers next year.   This fall, I will add some bulbs for early color next year.  Hopefully the perinnials will fill in after a long winter's nap.  Overall, I'm happy with my first year flower garden.  It has been a good place to work by myself on something for myself.  It fills me with wonder and joy.  But today, I felt I was saying goodbye to some of my favorite bloomers this year.  For I know they will not be around much longer with the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping. 

So... farwell Purple Verbena.  I do hope you come back next year.

Rest well, Yellow Coreopsis, you have bloomed all summer.  You deserve a break.

Pink Knockouts, you are so thorny but you sure do have velvety petals.  Bloom until frost.

Verbena on a Stick, multiply till your hearts content.  I will be happy to see you standing tall next summer.

And finally, Red Million Bells, I know you are not long for this life.  I look forward to bringing your sisters home to bloom.

Goodbye summer garden.