The temperatures are forecast for to be a little cooler this week. The days are measurably shorter. The rainfall has declined. These are features to be expected in Alabama this time of year.
It is time to begin some fall chores and think of some spring planning. There are spent plants to remove and some leaves to rake. The dry conditions mean some watering needs to be done.
I have returned from a trip to Canada for a 50 year med school reunion and a visit with family. It was wonderful to reconnect. Time to re-engage with the garden.
So come join me for a little tour of what’s in the garden today. It feels a little cooler. We can sit in the shade if you like and visit as we talk about several of the individual plants. Here are the photos of the week:
The limelight hydrangeas continue to impress with their beautiful panicles of blooms. The bloom color is mostly white but shades of copper are appearing which is striking against the lime green leaves.
The American beauty berry (Callicarpa Americana) has been a reliable garden feature this year. It is now giving that extra show with the purple berries. I have not seen any birds feasting on these yet.
The chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are putting on quite a show. I will be watching them closely and intend to chop the tops off before the seeds spread. That will save a lot of work later.
The sedum is definitely beginning to show its fall bronze.
The obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is quite happy in its location near the fountain. Its royal color blends nicely with the remaining yellows of the Black eyed Susans
The gardenia is slowly recovering this year from the historic cold of last December. I am optimistic. It has a good chance to thrive and become its majestic fragrant self in the years to come.
I will be joining the #SixonSaturday group tomorrow. If you have the chance, swing by and look at around the world gardeners sharing their photos. It can be found at this link, https://gardenruminations.co.uk hosted by Jim Stephens each Saturday morning.
Happy Gardening!!
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When I lived in the south, I fell in love with gardenia. They to me were never too much – some people find the fragrance too cloying – I never thought so! And the bushes would grow huge! smothered in blossoms. ahhh… Yours is definitely on the rebound!
I love the name of the Obedient Plant, sounds like one for naughty children!
Apparently, this common name derives from the fact you can move the bloom a quarter turn and it will OBEDIENTLY stay in that position
I ‘m pleasantly surprised to find that the callicarpa (beauty berry bush) has its purple berries. Here they are still in bloom but I love this plant. I also really like both the photo and the plant Physostegia virginiana : the seeds that I had were not good unfortunately, I will have to find more because it’s a very pretty summer flower
Thank you for the comment.
The callicarpa is native here. I dug these up at a friend’s property. He had many growing along a rocky drainage slope. I have had several “volunteers” appear and I have gladly transplanted them in other areas of my year. There is a native variant that has white berries.
The Physostegia is a beautiful fall bloomer. It has self seeded in this area. Its bright pink color and erect posture are dramatic.
Your photo of the Obedient Plant is gorgeous! We’re normally into cooler weather at this time of the year, but instead it’s been heating up. Our days are shorter, like yours and while your rain is declining, ours has gone missing, though I believe that’s about to change! The Beauty Berry gives a fantastic pop of colour I think I might have to look at getting one of those. Your sedum is ahead of mine, it always reliably says, ‘autumn is coming’.
A great selection. I love the white flowers of the chives.