It seems like we were just celebrating the 4th of July and all of the sudden here we are knocking on August's door. Although it's been hot out there lately, the Garden is a great place to escape the heat along our shaded pathways and waysides.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

By the looks of it, these fruits will be ripe in no time. They're great for making preserves, that is, if you can beat the birds to them.

Fire Tree Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Fire Tree')

The daylilies aren't done yet! You'll find them in the Water Pavilion, Water Conservation Garden, and Floral Walk.

Thurber's Penstemon (Penstemon thurberi)

Just when you thought the penstemons were finished blooming, this adorable bush penstemon, along with its shrubby cousin, Sand Penstemon (Penstmon ambiguus) are going strong.

Skunkbrush Sumac (Rhus trilobata)

Just like a lemon wedge, these fuzzy little fruits have lemon-like flavor when added to water.

American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens 'Nivea')

Look for this handsome North American native near the western entrance to the Water Conservation Garden.

Just a friendly reminder, while we are all doing a great job conserving water by not wasting it on our lawns, don't forget that you should still give your trees that are growing in your lawn a nice drink of water from time to time.

Photos by Jason W. Baker