This will probably be the last Bloom Day for 2013. I enjoy autumn and its tranquility but it also means we're heading into winter, with which I have a difficult time each year. In any case, though this month's blooms are not very showy, their subtlety forces me to take a closer look and take note of the details of the garden. There's something to be said for slowing down.
Front yard
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| Mums and Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' |
This aster is a real winner. There is almost no color in my yard right now (or anywhere else on the block) and yet this aster on my front wall is big, bright, and beautiful. I don't know why I don't have more!
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| More Aster 'October Skies' with a mum in the middle |
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| Aster novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke' |
A different type of aster, 'Alma Potschke' (or Poetschke) adds bright color to a fading fall landscape. I do enjoy this plant, but even after chopping it in half in the summer, it's still too leggy. Maybe it needs two chops next year.
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| Ilex crenata |
My Japanese holly must be happy. She didn't have berries last year (her first year here). I just noticed these today while rushing around to take pictures. Clearly I need to slow down and look around some more.
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| Caryopteris |
Abeille allée
As I mentioned in my last post, my allée has recently experienced quite a transformation. Many of the plants are immature but there are still a couple of things in bloom.
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| Geranium 'Rozanne' and Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' |
The coreopsis is STILL blooming!
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| Nandina domestica |
The berries on my new nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) are already starting to turn red. They'll be a great holiday decoration in the winter.
Back yard
Here is where I will finally show you my great shame - my utterly mismatched annuals against some perennials. Sure, the marigolds are about the only thing still in bloom in the back, but look at what they're next to:
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| Marigolds and Sedum 'Autumn Joy' |
Orange and pink. Together. I don't know what I was thinking! It was even worse during the summer, when the marigolds and pink zinnias were next to each other.
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| Sedum 'Autumn Joy', spiderwort |
The spiderwort is blooming again. Can you see the fantastic seed pods on the baptisia?
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| Anemone 'Queen Charlotte' |
This gal needs a more prominent spot. She's flopping over from the weight of some echinacea and hidden in the back of the flower bed. I'll have to move her next year.
That's it for 2013, I assume! I'm glad I took the time to document different stages of the garden this year. It'll be nice to look back on during the dreary days of winter. Thanks to
May Dreams for hosting another Bloom Day.
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIn the winter, gardens can be indoors - buy yourself a potted plant in bloom and join in next month!
In December decorate for Christmas with pointsettias - that would make a beautiful Bloom Day post.
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
I am looking forward to paperwhites in the winter!
DeleteLove the purple & yellow combos...happy gbbd!
ReplyDeleteThey do look nice! You too :)
DeleteIt is all looking so grand. Oh, you'll have more asters. They are as addictive as can be. I now have fifteen or so. That's a lot, but they help the fall garden so much. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you. If nothing else, I can at least divide my asters next year.
DeleteEverything looks great, especially those asters. I've done the orange and pink thing too. At first I thought it was an abomination but now I'm fine with it. Did you know Miss Huff lantana is orange, pink, and yellow? So there.
ReplyDeleteNow that you've brought up Miss Huff, you're right - it's okay! I kept thinking of this, by the way, as I was looking at some lantana trials at Longwood Gardens today. They looked awesome.
DeleteI need to plant more asters too. Years ago I had some Aster 'Fanny' (very late blooming) in the front garden but they started taking over so I removed all of them. Love the 'October Skies' but supect it would need lots of mid season pruning in my garden to prevent major flopping. Bloom Day is great for forcing you out to take a good look at the garden at least once a month. Happy Belated Bloom Day1
ReplyDeleteThey do need mid-season pruning or they look pretty bad. I agree about really looking at the garden - it's nice to stop and smell the proverbial roses.
DeleteYou've got a lot going on compared to my yard! While reading your post I added aster and nandina to my plant-want list!
ReplyDeleteDouble check that nandina domestica is not invasive in your part of the country - I know it is down south. Otherwise, it's a great winter bush.
DeleteMy geraniums and caryopteris are long past blooming -- nice to see yours still going. Your asters and anemone are scene stealers -- they always are this time of year, and the nandina berries look so festive. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do feel fortunate that the caropyteris out front is still going. The one in the back is done, as are most of the others I've seen around.
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