Fall perennials (and one camellia) in the "Asian Collections US National Arboretum

From the top: Aster tataricus 'Jindai' (2), Camellia sasanqua 'Agnes O Solomon', Collinsonia japonica, Dendranthema 'Sheffield', Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki', Salvia glabrescens 'Shi-ho', Impatiens omeiana

Got back Thursday after a 3 week furlough. It was mighty dry three weeks ago but in the interim we had a four day 6 inch rain and life is good. I know the camellias are spectacular and I love the scents of elaeagnus and osmanthus, but I invariably underestimate the fall perennials. There are always more of them more beautiful than I remember.

It's good to be back. I had a hip replacement earlier this summer so I've actually been gone from the garden tor two rather lengthy periods this year. I hope not to repeat either experience (the surgery or the furlough). The surgery was a great success, so it was worth it. Not so sure about the furlough.

Young Choe is a genius

These are either native kusamona or at least mostly native. She's doing a presentation at the Lahr Symposium next Saturday. Register on the Arboretum website.

This afternoon Ed and I returned a ladder he'd borrowed and we ran into Young.. She showed us what she was working on and what she'd already finished. I'm always amazed when I see her creations though I know how brilliant she is. If you don't go to Lahr, you'll be able to see these on display for the week following the symposium. They'll be at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.