The gazebo is smothered with our long-summer´s growth and fronted by violet wands of Mexican bush sage, (Salvia leucantha). The velvet blooms renew the bed with color just as the species Phlox paniculata is finishing to the left of the bird bath. Earlier, the phlox united tones with the American beauty berry bush (Callicarpa americana) whose fruit must be especially tasty to the birds, as they rob it of color far too soon for my liking. I invite anyone familiar with the Callicarpa, to send me their description of its berry´s color. I will make some attempt with `electric-mauve or pastel-magenta´.