end of summer flowers

Many of my favorite perennials in our garden 

come into bloom at the end of the summer...

 

rudbeckia

echinacea

another rudbeckia variety

 

I love how it looks at this stage...

So spindly, like its petals are wheel spokes

that slowly start to open at the ends,

little yellow hearts

until they open all the way.

 

a late blooming rose

 

and one that's in bloom right now

 

rose of sharon

white japanese anemone

 

russian sage

 

turtleheads

 

purple asters

 

 

buddleia

 

sedum

 

water lily

 

hosta

 

sunflower

 

 

(my favorite sunflowers are the ones that the birds plant!)

 

and you guessed it... this one right here was a gift from the birds...!