Two weeks past, I was in Portland, Maine for a nursery meeting with a regional vendor, whom produces Bumper Crop Potting Soil, Soil Amendment and Compost.

The temperature upon arriving was 82 degrees and it was the first warm days of the season. Two days later the tower thermometer was reading 104 degrees. I was not prepared for such warm days and had not packed a wide-brimmed hat, so off I went on a quick jaunt around the downtown market area for a new chapo. I was greeted with end of the season sales in almost every store which I descended upon. The week before I arrived the fine folks of Maine were wearing down jackets, scarves and gloves. Now, I would expect that the season close outs were for winter gear and apparel, but catch me with egg on my face when it turned out to be Summer close outs. Maybe I need to get out and go shopping for something other than plants and food. 14 stores later, a hat was found that fit my skull and covered my ears.

In the garden and at the garden center, I have been waiting since February for summer and all the glorious flowers that proclaim the summer season. We have Butterfly Bush offering thousands of flowers on each plant just enticing the butterflies and hummingbirds to a quick drink, as well as other pollinators. White, pink, blue, cranberry, and reds call out with desire to be adored. Rose of Sharon Hibiscus displays hundreds of silver dollar sized blooms that want to make me sway with those from the tropics and the delightful afternoon breezes. Single and double style blooms have been offering tantalizing whispers of vacation by the ocean and beach. The panicle hydrangeas are producing huge trusses of white blooms up to the size of footballs, which over time will change color with pinks and reds replacing the bright white beauties. Lavender, Liatris, Coreopsis, Sedums, Obedient Plant, Hostas, Black Eyed Susans, yellow, red, white, and purple Coneflower, Daylilies, California Fuschia, and Water Lilies love the summer and make me open my heart to them as they grace my being with beauty.

The Linden trees have just finished performing for whole neighborhoods with their deliciously sweet scent, now to be followed up by the Goldenrain trees that offer their golden spikes of blooms to the sun and the sky since they adorn the tops of the tree. Next month brings forth the Seven Son Flower tree and its wonderful fragrance. Its exfoliating bark offers another look especially during those winter months. Trumpet Vine, Climbing Roses, along with summer blooming Clematis offer even more color, charm, and fragrance for tight spaces where height can be appreciated. They work well into those days of warmth and nights that turn cool enough for a jacket, thus bringing on delightful memories of summer, playing with friends, nights sitting outside and smelling the last of the BBQ as well as the mingling of those fore mentioned flowers.

With the cool evenings and mornings, the oils that the plants produce in the flowers are allowed more time to perfume the area, because the heat of the day along with the low humidity levels cause the oils to disperse very quickly thus offering diminished odor during the day, only to spring forth as the sun goes down.

After returning home, I needed to get some home improvement materials as well as a cart load of bulk paper towels and trash bags. While out, I saw a glimpse into the future- October- with the hundreds of Halloween items now being offered in July and I know full well that even more décor is slated for the shelves and floor. I plan for the seasons; so you and I can enjoy them and not skip over them to work on the next big thing.

We live in an area with 3 to 8 seasons- 4 is the normal, but with mountains to the West, it seems like we never have but a week or two of spring only to have winter visit time and time again. To each of you, I ask that you live and enjoy the season and the day that you have, plan for the future, but enjoy what comes forth with each rising of the sun.

Happy Summer from all of us to you,

David

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