With just half an inch registering on the rain gauge in the last few weeks and minimal watering on this gardener's part, it's a wonder of nature that so many plants are still attractive. Connecticut is officially about 5.5 inches below normal rainfall amounts for the year.

Lack of rain does not stop the need to transplant and tidy, harvest and can, and ready houseplants for their move back inside. Between these tasks I pause at every opportunity to marvel at the beauty of late-season bloomers and colors.

Bright orange tropical hibiscus scream «LOOK AT ME!»

Salvia stands deep, deep blue in front of coleus limelight.

A late lavender blossom tries to show up zinnia angustifolia, an easy-to-grow-from-seed annual that quietly blooms till frost.

Whites and pinks fill my gardens right now.

Here is a clematis paniculata dances above cosmos blooms. The clematis volunteered elsewhere but thrives after careful transplantation to it's current location.

Echinacea peeks out from behind a garlic chive flower. Lady chive must enjoy it's bloom time now before it's caretaker chops off it's head to prevent it from propagating. Don't let this late season beauty fool you – she will spread to all parts of your garden and, once sprouted, she does not give up her ground easily.

Pink carries on in Sedum 'Maestro,' one of the late season blossoms bees love.

But lavender comes to light in curly chives, set off here against the gray-green of santolina.

And, purples show up in hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' and phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'

Still, autumn's shades are evident as summer draws to a close. Dogwood leaves dress in a fashionable plum and berries of Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' live up to their name.

Today, garden bloggers take center stage at May Dreams Gardens where Carol hosts Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Head to May Dreams Gardens to see the glorious blossoms shining during this last Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for summer 2010. Soon it will be time to embrace the beauty of autumn. Happy gardening everyone.