The Last Week of October? No Way!

It's really true that the older we get, the faster time swifts by. Despite the reality of the calendar, there hasn't been a frost yet and my garden is still doing its best to hold on to summer. I have to keep reminding myself to stop all toiling and enjoy the moment.

Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' leaning on Sedum oreganum

A single blossom of Dahlia 'Otto's Thrill'

Dahlia 'Otto's Thrill'

Dahlia 'Otto's Thrill' didn't start blooming until a few weeks ago.
The thrill isn't exclusive to Otto!

Dahlia 'Creme de Cassis' has really cool coloring. 

Volunteer Love-Lies-Bleeding growing with my fragrant! Nemesia.

A delightful surprise on one of my Stachys officinalis 'Pink Cotton Candy'

A few last flowers on my Hollyhock

Finally a few buds on my Climbing Aster Ampelaster carolinianus. 
I purchased this plant last fall so I don't know if this is normal behavior or not.
Anybody know?

 Garden shots:

This is where the pear tree once stood. I'm in the process of redesigning it now. Fun!
You could say this is the "before" photo. The after won't be published until next spring.

The south bed, with tired plants.

A very happy Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon' 

Just behind the uncharacteristically lush (for this time of year) Canna foliage,
is my burgeoning Gardenia 'Frost Proof' and behind that a blushing Nandina.

Here's another shot. In front of the Nandina is Hellebore foetidus already in bud.
I cast those cement leaves several years ago.

While the Hostas are looking very sad, this variegated Comfrey is still pretty chipper.
Symphytum x uplanicum 'Axminster Gold'

Here's a wider shot. Behind the plants is the area where the pear tree was.

Here's a shot from the far-north end of the garden. The closest raised bed is where I
grow my 'Fall Gold' raspberries. In front of it is an old water meter cover
 I found at the ReStore for a buck. It makes a fun stepping stone.
The shiny grate is another fun piece.

This hypertufa container was looking very sad so last July I gave it fresh soil.
It's responding very well.

And finally, a healthy clump of toadstools making a brief appearance
thanks to the recent rains.

I hope you all are enjoying the final fall days in the garden.