Euonymus Week

These are the true dog days of this summer in week 2009/34: leaves wilt after weeks of heat without much rain. August 20 brings an afternoon with 32 degrees in the shade. The vine on the front of the garage was halved in size this after I neglected to water it. The roots need constant moisture and coolness, and the upper leaves have simply died off. Euonymus europaeus offers a spray of rather puny pink berries. Redness is starting to creep into the Pyracantha berries. Hibiscus are the main sources among the shrubs of garden colour. Among the perennials, the Rudbeckia brings its usual summer storms of yellow. While weeding, one discovers an occasional orange-coloured cape gooseberry, while the Koelreuteria holds up similarly papery fruit, in lanterns high above head level.

Euonymus Week

This is the week of payback for the inconveniences of having Euonymus europaeus in a Zone 8 garden: the plant's caterpillar and pest infestations in the spring can be a threat to other bushes, but the late-summer appearance (this year in 2008/34) of its bright pink berries is always a wonderful moment. This is also the week when Pyracantha berries are approaching ripeness, starting to grab attention with their oranges and reds.