Fragrant autumn clematis tumbles from hedgerows, jolting us from our reverie with its honeysuckle perfume during walks about town and on nature trails. Late roses bloom on white and weathered picket fences in shades of yellow, deep red and pale pink. Goldenrod nods in the russet-colored understory of lowbush blueberry and bayberry. The berries are mostly gone now save wild grapes and beach plums, but flowering plants are thriving in the warm September sun. Wild fall asters are scarce this year, no doubt from lack of rain. But the rose of Sharon is getting a second wind and dahlias, zinnias and cosmos are looking like they could last forever.

They won’t of course, but for now we can enjoy the still-colorful flowers of September.