The end of August approaches...

Red coleus add a nice contrast to the garden. We plan to use more of them next season.

Another view of the same bed with Max wondering what I'm doing.

The Marigolds seem to get forgotten because they are so short but this row really did well considering they only receive a few hours of direct sun. Another winner for next year.

Yellow Helenium, also known as sneezeweed, in full bloom. It grew quite tall, about 3 feet in fact. I had to stake it because the flower heads are so heavy. This is our first attempt at growing this perennial. I think its a keeper. 

This is a red variety of Helenium. Not as showy as it's yellow cousin but still very nice.

What we thought was a Peppermint Schnapps Hibiscus turn out to be something else. I thought it might be a Jazzberry Jam due to its rich color but it doesn't have the ruffled edge on the petals. The mystery deepens.

A nice cluster of Rosa Cherries and Cream. This was a Home Depot special. It has been a reliable bloomer for many years.

Finally, a perfectly formed, unblemished, un-munched by insects White Chiffon Rose of Sharon bloom. I may get one or two a season that don't have a blemish before I can take a photo. Apparently, this is one tasty flower.

A large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly sips nectar from a butterfly bush flower.

A trickle of Raspberry Ice Bougainvillea. The flowers seem to change color as the season marches on. At first they had red tones but not now.

Vernonia baldwinii, or Ironweed, can reach 10 feet if you let it. I let mine grow 6 feet and then mercilessly chop it off. The plant then sends out multiple stems at the chop site resulting in shorter plants with more flowers.

A close up of Vernonia baldwinii.

A very large Castor Bean seed pod.

And finally, a nice trio of Cleome.