The garden is continuing to ebb as the temperatures slowly decline. It is a slow march into winter but this past week, the colors of the changing leaves have been unmatched. It is made ever more noticeable because of the clear blue skies and the dry weather.
In addition to the leaves, I still have some persistent blooming flowers to show you.
Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana). This tree stands near the Mens Garden along the side of the elevated roadway. Last year, I found some acorns underneath it that were sprouting. I took them home and I now have a chestnut oak in my own yard.
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). This native shrub provides four season attraction. The red fall coloration is beautiful. This particular shrub is at the edge of a small woodland and really stands out since it is south facing.
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). This dogwood was planted several years ago and has taken some time to be established. It performed well this year so I am expecting to see it bloom this spring.
Sweetspire (Itea virginica) This small shrub is another Alabama native which performs so well. It has thrived in this location also on the south facing side of a small woodland. It should also bloom well in the spring with its characteristic tassel.
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana). This native established itself near the fountain of the Mens Garden. It is a fall bloomer and really shows out.
Red mulberry (Morus rubra). This is a well established tree, along the east facing side of my property line, which bears a lot of fruit in the spring. If you want some of the berries, you have to beat the squirrels and the birds to it since they really love them
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum). I planted two of these trees along my property line 40 years ago. Each year I think they will show the rainbow of colors characteristic of this tree but each year it produces this brilliant gold.
Zinnias. These zinnias haven’t given up. I am still seeing Monarchs, Gulf fritillaries and Clouded sulphurs coming for nectar.
Well, that’s my lot for this week. I enjoy this exercise of finding six photos (more or less) to keep up to date with the happenings in my garden world. If it brings you pleasure to view them, then my job is doubly fulfilled.
Check out Jim Stephens Garden Ruminations. He is hosting Six on Saturday where you can view gardeners from around the world who share in this exercise.
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Lovely colours and still nice to see the flowers and hear that the butterflies are visiting.
There are four of your natives in there that are regularly grown as garden plants over here, which is surely a reflection on their ornamental value.
Is the Mens Garden part of your property? Why is it called that?
The Mens Garden is a garden managed by a group of volunteers since 1984. It is a small corner lot which the owner allows the Mens Garden Club to maintain. it was begun by a group of men and has retained the name ever since. It is not my property but I volunteer with that group. Mostly, I photograph in both locations as well as at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Oh! Wow! What a great idea! I wish there were corner lot opportunities like that here.