Though there is nothing actually new blooming in the garden now, some plants have been rejuvenated by this fall weather. The Knockout roses are looking much better than they did during the summer.
The yellow Knockouts 'Radsunny,' I've noticed, turn a paler cream color as they open.
'Black and Blue' Salvia's electric blue color is one of my favorites. The only drawback to this plant is that it is an annual in my zone 5 garden.
While the purple coneflowers Echinacea purpurea have long since turned to brown seedheads, this Echinacea 'Big Sky Sundown' has surprised me by putting out a few new blooms for the past few months.
True to its name, the 'Bloomerang' lilac has rebloomed this fall. Not the best photo, but it does have a few more blooms than this. The fragrance of 'Bloomerang' is much fainter than the traditional lilacs, but it does have that wonderful smell. Sophie, however, is interested in other smells:)
Fall is the time for grasses to shine, and I finally have a few to admire. Miscanthus 'Morning Light' is a newcomer in the arbor bed, but it's beginning to show its potential.
The switchgrass 'Shenandoah' has lovely red foliage that defies my camera settings.
I showed a glimpse of the newest bloom in the garden last month, but 'October Skies' is now a mass of blooms. I would definitely recommend this aster for anyone looking to add a fall bloomer to their garden.
I showed a glimpse of the newest bloom in the garden last month, but 'October Skies' is now a mass of blooms. I would definitely recommend this aster for anyone looking to add a fall bloomer to their garden.
Although the perennials are sticking to their usual fall schedule, it is the annuals that don't realize it is almost the end of the season. Usually by this time of year we've had at least one night of frost, but not this year, and as a result the annuals are still going strong. Masses of zinnias in every shade provide lots of color in the arbor bed.
Even the few zinnias in the roadside garden provide a pop of color, especially against the backdrop of the burning bushes which are a brilliant red this year.
'Snow Sonata' cosmos will definitely be planted again next season.
Even the vegetable garden still has some color as marigolds and zinnias mix with the purple leaves of kale.
Although I've been savoring every moment of this beautiful fall, there is just one problem with this extended blooming time. You would think I would have been taking advantage of the perfect weather to get all my fall garden projects done. But I haven't cleaned out all my containers because some of them are still looking good. And I had hoped to have all my bulbs planted before the end of October, but most of them are going in where the annuals are growing. I worked around this border of lantana to plant a few bulbs.
But I can't bring myself to pull out this angelonia just yet.
Nor do I want to rip out the Profusion zinnias or the 'Victoria' salvia. I'm not really procrastinating--I'm just enjoying the moment for as long as I can. Once again, it looks like I'll be planting bulbs in my winter coat and stocking cap, trying to keep my fingers from going numb.
While I'm happy with all the color in my October garden, I'm one of those who can never have too much color. Warning--for those of you who are garden purists and have a disdain for the common variety of mum, you might want to skip the next photo.
Yes, I know these will all wind up on the compost heap in a few weeks, but I just can't help myself, especially when the garden centers are cutting prices to sell off their inventory. When I see "buy two, get one free" all I see is the word "free":) I did give one to my daughter-in-law, to avoid feeling too extravagant. To me, fall just isn't fall without pumpkins and a few mums to celebrate the season.
Thanks once again to Carol of May Dreams Gardens for hosting another monthly meeting of Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.
