People really like fall because the leaves get all dramatic as they wave goodbye. I admit the colors are vibrant and lovely but I still don't like fall. All my puttering through spring and summer to make my garden look good, then Nature blows in and ruins it. You're probably rolling your eyes and thinking, move to the tropics then if you don't like the temperate climate, sheesh! Whiner!
As much as I might like to dream, I'm not going to move to Florida anytime soon. And I can have a bit of her right here in my Pacific Northwest garden. Specifically I'm talking about my sweet smelling 'Frostproof' Gardenia. Here are the last two blossoms of the season.
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| Gardenia 'Frostproof' |
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| Here is a photo of my three year old plant. |
In 2014, I purchased a packet of
Tinantia erecta seeds. Each year since, it has reseeded. It's blooming much later than usual this year but it is a welcome little plant. On cloudy days the flowers stay open longer.
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| Rain-soaked Tinantia erecta |
There are still Dahlia blossoms.
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| Dahlia NOID |
'Junkyard Dog' is my most prolific Dahlia bloomer. It didn't rain Saturday, (miracle!) and it was fun to see all the honeybees enjoying the nectar. Funny none are visible in this photo.
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| Dahlia 'Junkyard Dog' |
A few of my Clematis are pushing out a their last blooms. In September, I purchased
C. florida sieboldii from none other than the famous
Linda Beutler herself while she was tending the
Rogerson Clematis Collection booth at the Salem Hardy Plant sale. A few very late blooms are doing their best to make an appearance before closing down for winter.
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| Clematis florida sieboldii |
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| Clematis florida sieboldii |
Also, finally blooming is my Groundnut Vine, Apios americana. I'm hoping next year it won't be so shy.
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| Apios americana |
Aren't these blooms fun? So unique. And fragrant!
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| Apios americana |
Garland Nursery is only five miles from my home so, of course, I make regular trips there like any smart, plant addicted gardener would. A few weeks ago they had their fall plant sale. I bought so many plants for so little money, it was almost criminal. Included was this 'Tubby Andrews' Bergenia.
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| Bergenia 'Tubby Andrews' |
And along the same foliage lines, check out my Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'. I'm kind of hoping the flowers will go to seed. I'd love to have a few more plants.
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| Fallopia japonica 'Variegata' |
The golden-leaved Sedums are happy.
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| Sedums in a small hypertufa pot. |
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| Another pot. |
Finally, I am coming to terms with the aforementioned fall foliage and the season that perpetuates it. Here you can see my 'Chandler' Blueberry plant, arrayed with blushing red foliage.
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| Blueberry 'Chandler' |
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| Blueberry 'Chandler' |
Yes, my garden looks like crap but what am I going to do? Keep my eyes on the pretty things and hope spring makes an early appearance.
Well you can't tell from the photos! Beautiful shots, Grace. We're all entitled to our opinions. Personally, I love fall and try to choose plants that keep looking good in fall, or at least "die beautifully."
ReplyDeleteThere's still a lot to crow about in your garden, Grace! I love that Tinantia erecta, which I've never seen before and was surprised to find might be suited to my climate (if not necessarily accepting of our water restrictions).
ReplyDeleteLovely blooms as always!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fall ~ FlowerLady
You have some very lovely plants in bloom...love the apios and it's in your iconic pink! I understand, it is hard to say goodbye. My garden is all beat up from the drought we are in, but a few plants that have finally bloomed look wonderful and I sure hate to say goodbye to them. Happy Autumn...
ReplyDeleteYou are the only person I know who doesn't like fall. But to each its own! I know your tricks of hiding the "ugly" spots with the camera. I've done it plenty of time myself. LOL But everything else you've shown looks great, especially those dahlias.
ReplyDeleteOh, you have groundnuts--cool! I had to chuckle at your title and opening premise. And I understand, because my backyard is knee-deep in Oak leaves. But really, your garden looks amazing. It always looks amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteYour garden still looks lovely! So many treasures to appreciate!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden anyway! I feel the same about fall. I like it for about 5 seconds when I see the peak color, and then I'm over it, ready to garden again. Feel the same about winter, too!!
ReplyDeleteA word of caution: Watch out for that Fallopia japonica Variegata"! It spreads by roots and before you know it, you will have a gigantic clump of them. They are very hard to dig out also. My friend planted a couple in her yard. They have grown into HUGE clumps and she doesn't know what to do with them-she can't get them out of the ground to divide it.
I have ONE and I watch it like a hawk every single day in Spring and Summer. It throws up a couple of shoots a little ways away from the mother plant every year,and I immediately pull and dig it So far so good. I bother with it because it is a beautiful plant and shade tolerant. Maybe in your zone it won't be such a bully. I am in Michigan, zone 5b. Good Luck!!!
Methinks your title is a big fat lie.
ReplyDeleteI like when the fall rains return because it means I don't have to water any more, but by then everything is pretty much collapsing from exhaustion anyway (me included). Also it means if I want to rearrange I can do it without having to water stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great! LOVE that variegated bergenia. :o)
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks wonderful to me ♥
ReplyDeleteYour garden is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow, that bergenia! Just found a small-leaved one by Terra Nova called 'Flirt.' I'll be keeping an eye out for that variegated one too now. Thanks, Grace!
ReplyDeleteWhat's this..crap talk? Your garden looks lovely in autumn. That blueberry...gorgeous foliage! I admit, it's a bittersweet time of year. I welcome the quiet season though. Time to plot and plan; time to rest.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace! As always, I'm amazed by the variety of your plants! You can call your garden as you wish, but it is not boring, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI loved the look of Fallopia japonica 'Variegata', but isn't it invasive?
Thanks for the post, and have an enjoyable November!
It all looks pretty good to me! I'm at the cutting back stage and there is nothing out there that looks like anything - except the beautiful winterberries. Already longing for spring, but we have the New England winter to get through first.
ReplyDeleteHey there Gracie girl !
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks fine .. love the "Tubby" bergenia ! variegated foliage always grabs my attention.
It is a good thing I don't live near you or I would constantly drag you on road trips to check out nurseries .. BIG sigh.
I still have one more large group of tulips to plant .. never mind clean up of the back garden ... I need a miracle boost of energy ! LOL
Pretty plants and pictures .. the dahlias are amazing !!!
It might be crap to you but I had fun viewing your post.
ReplyDeleteWish I had that much color here.