August 30, 2004
Ginger in Georgia writes:

As August closes, my Georgia landscape is a mixed message. Tropical storms bring scattered showers, encouraging high humidity to match the high temperatures. In my garden, the heat persuades the scent of summer to linger on the honeyed ribbons of tea olive flavoring the air, and prompts one last blast from the Bengal tiger cannas, spiking tall against the back edge of the fence. Not to be outdone, the antique hibiscus, with flowers the size of red dinner plates, puts on another crimson place setting of blooms.

But as I walk, a closer inspection gives a glimpse of weeks to come. The future beckons as the Autumn Joy Sedum begins its evolution from summer pink to autumn rust, and on another border, the Firecracker Goldenrod, Blue Salvia, and Pineapple Sage prepare to unfold their spears of color — stems to be plucked from the back garden and transferred to a worthy vase, announcing autumn to the indoor world.