It is Friday, 62 degrees Fahrenheit at midday, with showers and a bit of fog after a morning of heavy rain. During one brief lull I stepped outdoors into drizzle and onto squishy earth for a few much-needed minutes of garden nourishment.

Shasta season has long been over but fresh blooms appear sporadically.

My mother’s cousin Virgie’s everlasting sweet pea, originally passed along to me decades ago, has had its best year ever in the 19 years growing in this garden.

This red salvia is not particularly showy but hummingbirds stop over on most days.

Dahlias seem to be trying to make up for lost time.

Zinnias, usually the mainstay of my summer garden, remind me I have to find a way to rabbit-proof the borders, a daunting task.

This week P. at Petals and Wings (blog and Instagram) generously shared lavender irises with me. I am so excited to see them flower and experience their fragrance next spring, but first the ground needs to dry so I can get them planted. Meanwhile a white reblooming iris is getting battered by rain today.

Bees enjoy spiderwort but I have to work to keep it from taking over the garden.

I planted this itea four years ago. Its presence has been decidedly understated until now.

A native purchased at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in 2012 this rudbeckia produces small, misshapen flowers, yet it shouts happy to be here.

This salvia is one of my favorites. It has largely run rampant in one section of the garden, but is easy to remove.  That’s the best kind of plant to have I think.

Silvery foliage of Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ has been attractive for months. Behind it Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ adds a colorful layer.

The jewel-like hue of Butterfly Bush is even more dramatic in the rain.

Columbine makes a nice ground cover throughout portions of the garden.

Exceptionally colorful this year the dogwood is forming a nice crop of berries.

For now the garden still offers plenty of color. Hope you are finding nourishment in your own way today.