An epic battle is raging in the garden. As the seasons vie for dominance, witness some flowers continue to boldly blossom while others dry up and wither around them.

This morning I saw an outstanding bloom on a heavenly blue morning glory vine that has winded its way up from a small pot on my balcony deck to the planters attached above it at the railing’s perimeter.

And even more amazing is the flower at the top of this post! Shown from two angles, it’s amazing first for its magnificence — dig the double blossoms — and second, for the fact that I have no idea what it is and no record of planting it!

I’ve just been through my collection of seed packages used in this summer’s garden, and I can’t find one that matches to this flower. Hopefully, one of you can help me identify it…

Weatherwise here in Chicago, while we’ve definitely put the autumnal equinox in our rearview we are still getting pushback from the season past, with some fairly glorious sunny 80 degree days of late. Today was most definitely one of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Still, fall is intent on getting the last word as the sunny days are followed by chilly nights; so we’re cherishing each remaining  moment spent in the garden and trying to come up with ways in which to extend its time line.

What are you doing to get the most out the waning days in the garden? And if you’re one of my blogging friends with a year-round garden climate, what (if anything) changes when you move into a different season?

Leave a comment to let me know…