The weather continues to be extremely hot. The garden is just surviving, but not thriving. It is times like this that I think I should only have plants that positively relish hot, drought conditions in the garden.
Looking up from near the gate, looking very dry
Prostrate rosemary making a great statement
Fennel and Perovskia
Still hanging on Eschscholzia californica
Perovskia
Most of the plants on the slope survive well, but of course some are summer dormant. At least here I know the majority of the plants will recover with the first autumn rain which could come any time after the 15th (at least in the form of afternoon storms).
When taking images of the slope there is always something to catch my eye, today it was this beautiful dragonfly.
Blue Dragonfly, maybe an Emperor Anox imperator
Blue Dragonfly, maybe an Emperor Anox imperator
Blue Dragonfly, maybe an Emperor Anox imperator
Blue Dragonfly, maybe an Emperor Anox imperator
I’ve been reading about autumnal signs on some posts (can’t quite believe that, as it is still very much high summer here). What’s showing signs of stress in your garden? Is it still hot or are temperatures cooling down making it more pleasant to be outside?
Creating my own garden of the Hesperides 
Fantastic photos of your dragonfly, Christina. Some of your flowers look as if they are enjoying all your heat, the garden here is very parched once more, but we are hoping for rain tonight.
Yes Pauline, some plants are happy, thank goodness.
Your slope still displays very fine. Really like the view in the third image of Fennel and Perovskia and, of course, the dragonfly. The light is changing here, days noticeably shorter.
The light here is still a glare during the day and even the evening light is not as soft as it will become in September.
Lovely dragonfly. Sorry, I suspect I’m one of the pests mentioning the ‘a’ word already. With asters and anemones already flowering, and the nights noticeably drawing in, a chill in the air and more cobwebs than ever, it’s only just around the corner for us now… All the more reason to enjoy the summeriness that remains, of course!
September in Lazio is more like spring than autumn because the rain brings everything back to life, so I do like autumn just not yet.
Beautiful shot of the dragonfly. I love the planting of Perovskia and grasses, as they fit your landscape and climate perfectly. I am learning to grow what likes my garden and not what I like myself! Yes, cool and a definite autumn touch this afternoon – I was outdoors working without even feeling too hot. Very pleasant at last!
At 20.45 it was lovely to be outside but almost too dark to work. I had to give some water to some plants that were struggling.
I think your garden still looks great! Mine is sleepy’ish….but I do still have a little color I am thankful for. We had a little rain over the weekend that was such a relief! LOOKING FWD TO FALL!!!!!!!!!!
I am, and I’m not looking forward to autumn. Strangly summer has seemed short this year, no idea why.
We had a little respite: no rain, but overcast skies. Now back to what we regard as heat (in the 80’s). Late summer bloomers like Solidago and Helianthus just gaining steam and the annuals keep chugging along. Like you, I’;m not ready to say “goodbye” to summer just yet.
I’m glad it isn’t jsut me that’s not ready. Good your weather is enjoyable.
Hey Christina,
Always refreshing to stop by your blog.You captured a sculpture;feel in the top dragonfly image. It will be unusually cool for August the rest of the week with highs in the low 80s but we can break 100 well into September in Kansas, my dear.
Thanks Patrick, the image of the Dragonfly you mention was photographed with the concrete drive in the background which was more of a success than I expected.
The slope is still looking good despite the summer heat and I love your blue dragonfly.
Do you think the ID is correct?
I think dragonflies are so hard to identify. You could look at Orthetrum coerulescens as it is blue and has a lightly flatter abdomen.
Thanks, I’ll check on that one. My book has very few as its just a mix of all types of fauna.
The slope is looking like the end of summer and a bonus of the dragonflies.
Spectacular shots of the dragonflies!