My Garden Looks Like Sh***!

Autumn can be so unkind to the garden. Pelting rains and strong winds have been aplenty of late and it shows. Big time. One of my daughters and I were driving home the other day and we talked about what they call, "the monsoon season" in some parts of the world. Here, in the Pacific Northwest it's just called "the rainy season." But I like "monsoon" over "rain." It's more dramatic. 

Acer palmatum disectum waving goodbye. 

 Many of my posts now sit empty.

And others, like this birdbath, are filled with fall foliage.

But luckily some still remain green.

The geranium is alive but I hope the budworms are dead. Wouldn't it be cool if it actually bloomed?

 We haven't had a frost yet so many marginally hardy plants are hanging on! Hooray!

This is a seedling Nicotiana run amok. Kinda pretty though so I'm keeping it. 

Heurchera something or other. 'Plum Pudding' maybe. 

 I predict a very mild winter for us Pacific Northwesters this year. Yes I do.

 Begonia -- cool, huh?

Even the cool-leaved Begonia Darla sent me is still green. I won't need to bring it in because we're going to have a mild winter. But I'll keep an eye out just in case. Can't be too careful.

It always amazes me that these succulents can handle the cold. But sure enough.

Now, lest you forgot the title of this post, I'll repeat it.

My garden looks like shit. There I said it. I feel better now.

This is a tiny bit better.

Hydrangea

The pretties require closeup shots.

Tired Thalictrum foliage

Cotoneaster lacteus, my most prominent "winter interest" wonder!

Trees to match the paint color

 But despite my garden's less than stellar appearance, I'm enjoying the finality of fall. Just look at those trees! I took the above photo from the parking lot at the library.

I took the above photo a block from where I work. It's a tiny slice of the enormous Oregon State University campus. Check out those colors! Ooh la, la!

This tree almost burned my eyes!

And finally, (almost) back at my garden. Look at this sweet 'Cinco de Mayo' rose trying its darndest to make me happy. (Yes it's all about me.) 

And finally, (for real this time) I had to show a photo of my daughter's kitten. Please excuse the blurriness. I bought some toy "mouses" at the grocery store and we were busy chasing them. Ain't she a cutie? 

So much to be thankful for! 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

PS Please pardon my groveling, but if you haven't visited my writing blog, I cordially invite you. 

I'm curious as to your reaction to my current essay. 

Just click on the link on the sidebar.

Thanks.

The Drama of November

 Hi Everybody, Well, I'd have to say that the fall colors are at their best right now. Vibrant and glowing, they offer a dramatic contrast from the dull November skies and because we've had very little wind this fall, their show keeps on, day after day.  

Euonymous elatum or Burning bush

A prairie of Japanese Blood Grass or Imperata cylindrica growing in a parking lot hell strip. 

Side note: My editor recently received this interesting fact and I wanted to share it with you.  

"Shortly after things started to grow in the garden this year, I found that the chipmunks and rabbits were enjoying the garden more than I was.  I switched to a chicken-wire fence, and that still didn't work.  I had to do something.  As an avid crafter, I had many little Christmas jingle bells that I usually use as part of my gift wrap.  I tied one bell every couple of inches along the bottom of the fence and voila! - no more critters in the garden.  Every time I hear the bells jingle, I know I frightened another away."

So this got me to thinking. Do any of you have an unorthodox tip you've learned to deter critters? Hopefully something that hasn't hurt the little darling/devils but has kept them from eating your beloved plants? If so I'd love to hear about it. Much obliged.