Pondering Plans for Next Year

Despite the definite change in weather, the garden is still doing quite well. We haven't had a frost yet so even plants like dahlia and fuchsia are putting out blooms. 

Not only that but as I putter and visualize next year's garden, I can hear frogs croaking back and forth to each other at random intervals. If the temperatures remain mild (in the 50s) I'll continue to be enchanted by them.

I was surprised to see buds forming all up and down my winter-blooming 'Freckles' Clematis.

Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurescens 'Freckles'

This made me curious so I checked another of my three winter blooming Clematis, C. urophylla. Sure enough! Buds.

Blurry buds on Clematis aff. urophylla

Still no buds on Clematis nepalensis but that's okay. The vine looks healthy and that's the important thing.

There are still several summer/fall blooming Clematis blossoms.

Clematis texensis 'Etoile Rose'

Given that it's the end of the season, I'm excusing the mildewed foliage.

Clematis texensis 'Princess Diana'

Clematis viticella 'Abundance' (red) and C. v. 'Polish Spirit'

My longest blooming Clematis is C. integrifolia 'Inspiration' pictured below. It started blooming in May and has not once been without at least one flower since then. I didn't cut it back so there are lots of seedheads too.

Clematis integrifolia 'Inspiration'

This NOID from Deborah Hardwick is still making me happy. Again, the foliage is icky but who cares?

Clematis NOID

Clematis viticella 'Rosalyn'

Clematis texensis 'Pagoda'

And check out all the fuchsias still blooming!

Fuchsia 'Celia Smedly' (I think)

Fuchsia lycioides

Fuchsia 'Exmoor Woods'

Fuchsia 'Baby Ann'

Fuchsia 'Delta's Angelique'

Fuchsia 'Tricolor'

Fuchsia 'Tricolor'

Fuchsia 'Beacon Rose'

Fuchsia NOID

Fuchsia 'Nettala'

Fuchsia 'Debron's Black Cherry'

Fuchsia 'Checkerboard'

Fuchsia 'Galfrey Lye'

And that wasn't even all the fuchsias but I think you get the idea. 

Check out these Crinum lilies that I bought in a bag from Costco last spring. They have proven to be troopers. There are still buds forming on some of the bulbs. 

Crinum x ‘Powellii’

Agastache 'Blue Boa'

Gardenia jasminoides 'Frostproof'

'Paris' Heuchera is another extremely long-blooming plant. This one has been in flower since February.

Heuchera 'Paris'

Rabdosia longituba

Rabdosia longituba

Chrysanthemum x rubellum 'Clara Curtis'

I really should cut some of these mums for a bouquet.

Chrysanthemum x rubellum 'Clara Curtis'

This Tinantia reseeds every year and blooms in that spot. The flowers are so cute.

Tinantia erecta

Now for some garden shots:

Persicaria 'Fat Domino'

Mukgenia nova 'Flame' next to Rhododendron 'Everred'

Artemisia 'Seafoam'

Leucothoe axilaris 'Curly Red'

I have three spots where I dug out plants that were too big or were otherwise needed moving. You can see the bare spots in the following three photos.

By the outer pond, I had a big Stipa gigantea. I gave it to Heather. In its place, I'm going to plant Nerium oleander.

In this open area, I had a Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' that died. I'm going to plant my Chilopsis 'Burgundy'

And finally, here I had a huge Nandina and spreading Euphorbia. I'm not sure yet what is going to replace them.

Having a bit of bare soil keeps my design proclivities charged and ready. Ooh the possibilities! And not just for plants. Today I lugged home a huge piece of driftwood, aptly named Boris. I'm going to find a place for him in my garden. I'll post photos of "him" next time.

And there you have it. Thank you for visiting.

Time for My Annual: "My Garden Looks Like Crap" Post

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. 

Gardenia 'Frostproof'

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.

Rain-soaked Tinantia erecta

There are still Dahlia blossoms.

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.

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.

Clematis florida sieboldii

Clematis florida sieboldii

Also, finally blooming is my Groundnut Vine, Apios americana. I'm hoping next year it won't be so shy. 

Apios americana

Aren't these blooms fun? So unique. And fragrant! 

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. 

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. 

Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'

The golden-leaved Sedums are happy.

Sedums in a small hypertufa pot.

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.  

Blueberry 'Chandler'

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.