This is the quiet season in my neck of the woods. Everything is hunkered down, waiting out the heat and dryness of late summer and fall. This picture of the side yard in the fading sunlight of bloom day captures the mood. Flowers are few and far between right now.

This is the time when textures really stand out, and the succulents take a leading role. But globe amaranth provides a spot of color.

And many of the echeverias are blooming, keeping the hummingbirds interested.

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens has faded to seed.

Eriogonum fasciculatum is also fading, but still has some white flowers.

This is a lousy picture of a fabulous, crazy tough, late summer blooming native plant, whose name I simply cannot track down tonight. I got this plant years ago at Las Pilitas, when they still had a nursery in Escondido. I’ll add the name when I find it!

Chuparosa (Justicia californica), confused by nearby micro spray, has flowered through the entire summer.

Verbena bonariensis is still flowering, but is slowing down and looking tired.

Nearby Gomphrena “fireworks” is still going strong.

Then there’s these guys — Strelitzia (NOID) they usually bloom later in the fall but I’m not complaining.

Out in the front yard now, California fuchsia lights things up along the driveway.

The NOID hibiscus from a big box store is going strong.

Island mallow Lavatera (assurgentiflora I think) has a few blooms…

… as does desert globe mallow Sphaeralcea ambigua.

This dwarf oleander (NOID) is lovely right now.

Here’s another favorite native, Eriogonum giganteum.

And the ever dependable, ever cheery Oregon fleabane.

Garden bloggers bloom day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. See you in September!