Light in August
The light changes in August, and so does the feel of the garden. The days have begun to shorten and the sun is lower in the sky. The light still brings heat, but there is a softening, especially in late afternoon.
This was demonstrated over the weekend as the aptly named Golden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata) reflected the rays of the setting sun. All those yellow daisies of August seem designed to catch the waning light.
That’s the neighbors’ house in the background, by the way.
Another picture of the Golden Glow, bracketing Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) and Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum ‘Gateway’).
The Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is also something of a sun worshiper. Perhaps it grows so tall because it wants to be near the light.
Here’s a closer look.
This is an overview of the front garden from the property line. The flowers of ‘Raspberry Wine’ Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) are fading but they still have a nice late-afternoon glow.
Here’s ‘Raspberry Wine’ mingled with Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).
Grasses also appreciate the August light.
Especially the Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), with it’s dangling seedheads.
And the Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum), which seems to be standing at attention.
This is the Switchgrass cultivar ‘Shenandoah”. It’s a naturally occurring variety that was discovered in Germany. Some people call it Red Switch Grass.
The blue flower spikes of Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) don’t glow like the yellow and orange summer flowers. Even so, the late afternoon light shows them to good advantage.
Here we are in the middle of August already. We got here so fast that I suspect someone has managed to skip days of the calendar, covertly and without being detected. Speaking for myself, I do not intend to let summer go without a struggle. I’m not above a little pleading and wheedling, even. In any case, I hope you enjoy these last days of the season.
That’s all for now.
gardeninacity 
I love the light at this time of year, Jason – your garden looks wonderful. I grow Rudbeckia triloba as well – wonderful plant, especially the wiry dark stems.
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenadoah’ is looking so good now. Yes the days are shortening but there is all that Autumn colour to look forward to.
The yellow flowers in the garden are just right for autumn light. I like the Northern Sea Oats and the Red Switch Grass, they could almost be part of a flower arrangement. The last month of our summer is so hot we all look forward to autumn, and the colours the colours!
What a good idea. I have both the “Shenandoah” grass and Northern sea oats. Will cut some and put in a vase.
This last month of summer has ended on a surprisingly mild note.
Cross fingers the light lingers…
Lovely photos. Your garden is simply gorgeous right now, especially in that warm afternoon light. I hope you get your wish and it lasts a long time. But consider this…when October rolls around, come spend a week at a SC beach. The crowds are gone, the water and sun are still warm, and seafood is at its best. That’s my idea of heaven!
I would love to do that very thing. This year, though, we have to go to Pennsylvania for a nephew’s wedding. Maybe next year!
That big switch grass is pretty. Does it rattle in the wind? Like you I don’t want summer to end so soon.
Not a rattle, more of a soft rustle.
August, beautiful August. You are so right about the light, and those golden flowers are the essence of late summer.
Photos and captions capture the magic of autumn light perfectly. Midwest Groundcovers only carries R. laciniata in flats of 38 — what a shame! Same for Prairie Dock and many others that make fine ornamentals. Instead we get the “same old, same old”. That leaves gardeners with seed or mail order perhaps. I ended up by using Rudbeckia Herbstonne in a client’s garden (mostly natives) as a result.
Prairie Moon in Minnesota sells R. laciniata as bareroot plants, you can order just one if you want.
Late summer light can be so magical. How your garden glows.xxx
If I lived in your neighbourhood, I’d walk past your front garden at least once a day to gaze upon all the beautiful blooms. It’s a triumph. Hoping for summer to linger a little longer here, too, but there’s a definite autumnal hint in the light (and weather).
It’s hard to believe that a summer can go by so fast!
Agreed!
So lovely! I’m especially partial to the Northern Sea Oats – I first noticed them in Minneapolis and they are on my list to include in the garden.
Beautiful photos of the late afternoon light. It does seem to change about now, doesn’t it? Sometimes I think it would be neat to spend the last couple of weeks of August camping or at a cottage–far away from the “back to school” ads and people complaining about how the summer is over, etc. (I’m guilty of this sometimes, myself. 😉 ) To truly savor those last beautiful days of the season. It really is a lovely time of year, if a little depressing.
Yes, that would be nice, to focus on the last week of summer without distractions.
I dare not point out the change in the light, signaling the change in the season…but happy to share it here, with you.
Well, I think the light is less where you live (and that’s good), but here, we’re still being barbequed, grilled, fried, and steamed. This will change for us, in Texas, sometime in September. Maybe. I hope! As always, your garden looks great, and I particularly like that switch grass.
I would have a hard time living in Texas, and the climate would be only one reason.
Beautiful glowing embers of a fire that will all too soon be but a memory. Like you, I wonder how it got to be the middle of August already.
Time marches on. If only we could get it to stop for a rest.
You have such a beautiful garden – and no doubt it’s loved by pollinators and wildlife as much as people!
I always enjoy seeing the seasons changing on the other side of the world – while your garden is preparing itself for winter, here in New Zealand, our garden is just starting to show signs of spring, and making promises for the summer to come. 🙂
Thank you. Funny to think how the seasons are turned upside down (from our point of view) in your part of the world. Visiting NZ has been a dream of mine for some time.
Love your pictures. The yellow is particularly luminous in the light.
That’s just the word.
It looks beautiful Jason. Such a lovely garden and great photos! I like that red switchgrass especiall, as well as the tall yellow flowers and the Tithonia of course. Enjoy the rest of summer!
Hello Jason, we’re beginning to notice this too. The mornings are cooler to begin with and the light is beginning to change, there’s more yellow due to the lower angle and with our trees, the back-lighting makes for some very picturesque scenes that my camera can’t do justice to.
I noticed the light had changed dramatically this week too, just as you described, the sun is lower in the sky and the light is softer st the end of the day; unlike you I yearn for an end to the torrid summer we have suffered this year.
Well, that’s certainly understandable.
Light in August is the title of a book by William Faulkner. You truly have the soul of a writer.
Thank you. Actually I’m not that fond of Faulkner, but the title is evocative.
You have a wonderful blooming August front garden, Jason! I like your combination of Rasberry Wine and Brown-Eyed Susan.
I’m sure you enjoy every free minute in your beautiful garden as long as summer lasts.
It’s true then, the light is shifting. I could feel it.
The Golden Glow is beautiful all lit up by the sun! I finally got to see some Golden Glow recently while on a trip, but have never seen it around here.