Remeber the Sun and Warm Days of Summer?

Typically we get a little over an inch of rain in September which is often one of the loveliest months weather wise in the Pacific Northwest.    This year, we've had over six inches of rain making this one of the wettest Septembers on record.  It seems like most of that has fallen in the last three days which have been windy with serious downpours between the ever present heavy rain.   There was even a small tornado (rare occurrence here!)  that touched down a little south of Tacoma and did some damage.  This sort of storm doesn't usually happen this early and I've started bringing in some of the tender agaves and other succulents early this year just to keep them from being drowned.  It feels more like November than September.  A little dose of sunshine and blue skies might make us all feel better and since it'll be days until we see the sun again, we'll have to make do with this warm and sunny nursery trip from this summer.

After the Frolic on August 10, I stopped by several nurseries.  One of them was Molbak's in Woodinville.

See the blue sky and warm colors.  Feel the warmth.  Breathe the dry air.  Starting to feel better?

Isn't it amazing how everything is standing up straight and tall and hasn't been beaten down by the wind and rain?

Imagine the webs between your toes falling away.   Enjoy the thought that the only thing that'll fall on you on a day like this is bird poop or a large piece of space junk that'll flatten you before you know what hit you.  A beautiful thought. 

Look at those fun colors!  I vow that I'll make some of those cool dragonflies.  They're cleverly crafted from turned stair spindles and ceiling fan blades.  Time to hit the thrift stores!

Here's a better view of the dragonflies.  Notice also the cool terra cotta pot light fixtures.

Nice big double hollyhock screams summer doesn't it?

You remember summer right?  It's that season when water in the garden seems like a novelty rather than an erosion risk.

 

Their Persicaria 'Purple Fantasy' has retained its lovely markings well.  This is probably what happens when it's grown in the sun instead of being left in a nursery pot in the shade for a month or two before planting it.

Our new pal, Salvia 'Amistad' was in plentiful supply.   Fingers crossed that this one is tough as nails and doesn't take forever to emerge in the spring or maybe even that it's semi-evergreen!

Interesting millet. 

This combination of plant and pots is inspired. 

Molbak's always has an impressive selection of house plants  these bromeliads remind me of  the Garden Bloggers' Fling visit to the garden of Ann Nichols this summer.

And of Deanne's collection.

This tough-as-nails Sansevieria came home with me.  Really, I kill houseplants and don't much care for them bit this one can't die (it's a rule with sansevierias) and it's perfect for...

 

 

this pot. 

 

Thank you in advance for not mentioning that August 10 was nearly two months ago and that some lazy gardener still hasn't squeezed the plant into the ornamental pot.  These pots always make me feel like it might just be warm outside even if the rain is pelting the windows  so hard that I fear they may break.   

 

For those of you having beautiful autumn weather right now, I'm only a little jealous but very happy for you and hope you have the chance to do a lot of enjoyable  fall gardening.