First Frost

Last night was the official first frost in my 'hood. The thermometer mounted on a post in my covered patio recorded this:

It must have not have lasted very long because most plants are still alive and doing fine. I'll show you what I mean.

Clematis stalwarts: the florida species seem to prefer the cooler weather. This is the second year they've waited until fall to produce their second flush of blooms. The first being in spring.

Clematis florida 'Sieboldiana'

Clematis florida 'Alba Plena'

Diana, the blooming machine.

Clematis texensis 'Princess Diana'

Winter blooming Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'

 

Cyclamen hederafolium snuggling up to some fun rocks.

This Abutilon loves the cooler weather.

Abutilon

I was pleasantly surprised to see one last blossom on this dwarf dahlia.

 But the overnight low temperature was unkind.

 Something similar happened with my Impatiens tinctoria. I was so happy to finally see its first big fat bud. 

Impatiens tinctoria

 But the frost had other ideas. Poor thing.

I think the plant is toast.

 It looks like the frost may not have hurt the Alstroemerias--another blooming machine.

Alstroemeria 'Tricolor'

Some of my fuchsias are still putting out flowers.

Fuchsia 'Beacon Rose'

 

Fuchsia NOID

Fuchsia 'Steel 'n' Stars'

I am so happy with my two Correa plants. They've been blooming since September and they should go clear through February if ... well, you know the drill. I'll be watching the weather and I have my blankets ready if it gets too cold. I'm hoping the hummingbirds will find the flowers.

Correa 'Dusky Bells' backlit by sunshine

Correa 'Dusky Bells'

 One more photo:

Correa 'Dusky Bells'

Correa alba 'Ivory Bells' is not quite as showy as 'Dusky Bells' but the leaves are nicer so it's all good. Check it out.

Correa alba 'Ivory Bells'

This gorgeous scabiosa is still blooming. I see varying reports of winter hardiness. I hope it survives because I've got an Alstroemeria with similarly colored flowers I want to plant near it after I move the Echinacea that are in that spot now. 

Scabiosa 'Gelato Blueberry'

 This Argyranthemum is still blooming. It took a break during July's heatwave.

Argyranthemum frutescens 'Madeira Crested Merlot'

Chocolate Cosmos, the only chocolate I allow myself anymore.

Cosmos atrosanguineus

I'm happy to see my Schefflera blooming. It's the first time in its three year history in my garden so I'm a bit obsessed.

Schefflera delavayi

Come on bees. Wakey, wakey... there's nectar for you!

There are a few fragrant flowers on this daphne.  

 Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance'

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And speaking of fragrance. Check out what I think will be the last flower on my gardenia.

Gardenia 'Frostproof'

Salvia 'Hot Lips'

I have been pleasantly surprised with how long my Cirsium has been in bloom. I thought after June it would be done. But here are more flowers trying their darnedest to bloom.

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'

Ditto for the long-blooming Lewisia.

Lewisia 'Elise'

 The last of the raspberries... They were so delicious. What a bumper year for these jewels.

I bought some paperwhites to force. I'm hoping they'll be blooming on Thanskgiving. Do you think they'll be ready in two weeks? 

Finally I wanted to show you my little garden buddy. One of our resident Annas hummingbirds. S/he posed for me today.

I sure hope those fluffly feathers are keeping you warm, little buddy.

Thanks for visiting.

So Much to be Thankful For

It's Thanksgiving week and is there any better time to show our gratitude for the garden and nature at large? I don't think so. I did some puttering today and it was so pleasant to be in the garden. The weather has remained mild so the last few blossoms continue to hold on and make me smile.

Alyssum

Fresh pansy blossom and curious dead pansy blossom

Impatiens arguta

Lewisia cotyledon 'White Splendor' and L. c. 'Elsie'

Vibrunum bodnantense 'Pink Dawn'

Viburnum flowers up close

Clematis 'Chameleon' put out one last blossom. Last summer the flowers were lavender and pink. This flower is a creamy white. Is it fixing for a snow storm? Could that be why it's called 'Chameleon'?

Clematis 'Chameleon'

Fuchsia 'Rosea'
A cutting from my BIG mother plant.

 Cyclamen hederifolium  

How sweet to see this little tiny lavender Galega bud trying to open.

Galega officinalis 'Lady Wilson'

'Ruby Slippers' Hydrangea leaves still look good enough to eat.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'

And the Nandina is also looking fabulous.

Nandina 'Wood's Dwarf'

My camera couldn't do justice to the water droplets on this dark leaved Hypericum.

Hypericum seedling

Even "common" plants such as Bergenia look brilliant with their winter colors.

Bergenia, unopened Oxalis buds and Sedum oreganum

Bergenia 'Tubby Andrews'

I've always hesitated growing Chocolate Creeping Jenny because I'm not thrilled with the yellow flowers. But look at that foliage! 

Chocolate Creeping Jenny
Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate'

A close up: So pretty.

Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate'

I cut back my Wintersweet shrub (Chimonanthus praecox) last spring. It said thank you by putting on a lot of new growth. I'm loving the fall colors on it. The gradation down the branch from gold to green leaves is eye catching.

Chimonanthus praecox

And it is loaded with fat flower buds!

Chimonanthus praecox flower bud

Mild temperatures mean that my Melianthus is still looking good too. 

Melianthus major

More water drops. This time on Euphorbia 'Blackbird'.

Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

There are still a few leaves on my Silver Vein Creeper.

Silver Vein Creeper Parthenocissus henryana 
with Schefflera delavayi

I am really enjoying Spike Moss (Selaginela). It is new to me this year so we'll see how it survives the winter and how long it takes to recover next spring. 

Spike Moss Selaginela karussiana 'Aurea'

And now for some garden shots.

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

The tree below is a "seedling" Japanese maple. It was a baby plant from the Coral Bark Maple in the front yard. It is at least twice the size of her mother. I didn't think it would get quite this big. 

Looking up

Looking down

Fortunately the shade it provides means room for lots of woodland plants.  

Remember the photos of my fern table a few posts back? At Garland Nursery's fall plant sale I was hoping I could find a few more goodies to tuck into it. Check out these bargain one-dollar plants I grabbed.

Gautheria procumbens and Acorus grimineus minimus 'Aureus'

Here is the fern table with the newbies and a whole lot of litter from the plants above it. Natural, right? 

And the culprit for all of that detritus--Arbutus flowers. 

Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'

It's a good plant in that the hummingbirds love these ivory bells. 

But oooh it's so messy! And coupled with the Japanese maple leaves, you can see why fall is not my favorite season.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving.