autumn – Page 3 – Fine for Friday

Fall 6 Oct 2023

Yes, fall Colors continue to attract our attention. In many ways, fall is second only to Spring for floral attractiveness here in Central Alabama.

Take a stroll with me through the yard and let’s see what catches our eye.

Here are my six for this week. Come and enjoy the delights of the fall garden.

The Cashmere Bouquet plant has a very fetching bloom. Native to China, it is a tall plant with dark green foliage. It favors part shade. It can be thuggish but I have confined it to a woodland edge and not my perennial bed. I may eventually grow it in a container.

The Autumn fern is beginning to take on its bronze fall hue. I like this fern because it will tolerate a part sun location unlike other ferns here in the South. I have been able to adapt it to several locations both shade and part sun. In addition, it does quite well in a shallow container.

The dahlia patch is continuing to bloom. These are tall plants which I have had to stake. This is in a small rock garden set against an oak leaf hydrangea.

Late boneset is also known as Late Flowering Thoroughwort. It is a native here and is now quite noticeable along the easement near my yard. It is striking mixed among the emerging Goldenrod. The bees seem to love it.

The hearts a bursting is Euonymous americanus. It is also known as Strawberry plant. This native shrub does have these most unusual seed heads. This is the fourth season for this shrub in a shaded location with some afternoon sun.

The oak leaf hydrangea graces us with 4 season of attraction. Here in the fall we get to enjoy the reddening leaves and the coppery flower pannicles. It is in a part sun location along side a walkway into the backyard.

Six on Saturday is a group that shares gardening photos every week. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. Come join us to see gardens from all around the world. Perhaps you would also like to share your photos. Check out the requirements for posting. Here is the link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Happy gardening!

Fall 22 Sept 2023

The cool air this morning was so refreshing. I was able to work in the garden this morning without fatigue or perspiration.

There are fall blooming plants which are off to a good start and there are still some summer bloomers to enjoy. The pollinators have been very busy. The days continue to shorten of course but the sky is so blue because of the lower humidity.

So come for a garden stroll and see what delights we can find.

The spider lily (Lycoris radiate) is only visible in the fall. Once it blooms, the foliage persists for a short while and then it disappears again until next fall.

The Rudbeckia seems to be having a rejuvenation. This grouping are all blooms that are on new growth.

This encore azalea is a 3 time a year bloomer. This is its second blooming this year. The early spring blooming did not occur probably because of the damaging freeze we experienced last December.

The purple coneflower is definitely one of my favorites. It is a native and a reseeded so it thrives in many locations in the garden.

The lantana “Miss Huff” is definitely a pollinator magnet. There were several Gulf Fritillaries and several skippers on it when I was taking the photos.

This Stokes aster is in its first year. This is another native which has spread in the garden. I was able to capture the beautiful blue color in this photo.

Enjoy the fall. I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow for our gardening get together “Six on Saturday” hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Until next week, Happy Gardening!

Six on Saturday 10 December 2022

Here in central Alabama, the temperature continues to be warm and there are still some blooms to show you. We are expecting some rain later this week with some near freezing temps next weekend. So, in addition to the blooms I also show the plant world adjusting to the colder weather of winter. Winter does not officially arrive for 2 weeks.

First up today is a container geranium (Pelargonium sp) which is about to bloom here in mid December.

Second is a tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) which is blooming. It is expected after a significant rainfall such as the one we had last week. The fragrance carries all across the yard so that you may not see them but you can certainly smell them.

Third is a holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum). It seems to be enjoying the temps and showing signs of increased color. This fern is evergreen for our climate.

Fourth is of my fall winter vegetable gardens. These are some beets (Beta vulgaris var Boldor). If they succeed, intend to make some borscht or a beet and goat cheese salad.

Fifth is some lambs ear (Stachys byzantina). It makes a very pretty groundcover in sunny areas as well as part sun. The have spike like stems in the summer from which the flowers emerge.

Finally, I have a plastic jug in which I have started some milkweed (A. tuberosa). As you can see they have begun to sprout. I will harvest some of these and transfer into separate containers when it is reasonable to do that.

Hope you enjoy these photos. Join us on Six on Saturday which is now hosted by Jim Stephens here. It is a place to see the work of gardeners around the world.

Happy gardening!

Winter Approaches 2 Dec 2022

The days continue to shorten. The recent rain has brought most of the leaves to the ground. Orion is visible in the Southern sky. Winter is definitely approaching.

We are still having mild enough weather to keep some of the blooms alive but their is color everywhere if you look.

First, the Alabama Croton continues to display. It is definitely a four season delight.

The dogwood (Cornus florida) has beautiful leaf color. It will have some pretty red berries for the birds but most of them have already been eaten.

This Japanese maple has dropped its red leaves onto this bed of pansies after the recent heavy rain.

The blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is continuing to bloom This native is another multiseason showpiece.

The encore azalea is living up to its name. It is still blooming even after a few light frosts.

These have become iconic in the American South since they bloom in profusion 3 times a year. There are numerous cultivars in several colors from white to red to lavender.

Finally, I thought you might enjoy the pointsettia tree at the Birmingham Botanical Garden. The story goes that it takes 300 individual potted pointsettias to make this eye stopping beauty.

That’s mine for this week. I am still managing to find a lot of color for the blog.

Don’t forget to enjoy Six on Saturday which is now hosted by Jim Stephens. You can find it here.

Happy Gardening.

Thanksgiving 25 Nov 2022

We have had a reprieve from the freezing temps of last week. It has been beautiful with warm days but that always brings the possiblity of stormy weather. In fact, it may bring some thunderstorms tomorrow night.

There was a refreshing rain overnight and we are still overcast this morning as I write. This is Thanksgiving weekend and this is a special beginning to the holiday season. It is appropriate to give thanks for all things. It is a good thing to pause, step back and reflect. Yesterday, it was a feast day with turkey as the centerpiece and sides of traditional food at our house including cornbread dressing, squash casserole and cranberry relish.

It is also a time to look forward beyond the holiday season and to the upcoming year. In the garden, there are signs of the past year but also signs of the year to come.

First, I have a lantana still putting out some blooms. It seems to remind me of colored popcorn.

Second, I have a Camellia sasanqua and a California poppy both with bright blooms.

Third is a large hosta. After the frost, the bright greens are replaced by this golden yellow which is so eye catching.

Fourth, there is a Tuscann blue rosemary with its delicate blue blooms.

Fifth, there is the seedhead of some garlic chives. This is a sign of new life to come and also garden weeding in the spring.

Sixth, there are the buds of blooms to come. This is Viburnum macrocephalum and Edgeworthis chrysantha which will be glorious come spring.

Those are my offerings for this week.

Follow Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens on garden ruminations. It is a gathering of gardeners around the world sharing their love for gardening.

Happy Gardening.

November Blue Skies 4 Nov 2022

We have had some rain this past week. Thank goodness for that. The temperatures have been moderate with just a hint of coolness in the morning. Long range there is not danger of frost for the next 10 days. The most striking feature is the bright blue skies. The summer haze is gone. Colors just seem to pop in the landscape.

Speaking of pop, here are my photos for this week.

The fennel in the fall vegetable bed bloomed this week. Very perky color. Sorry for the bit of unfocused blooms but you get the idea.

The Camellia sasanqua is at its peak. It is loaded with multiple blooms. I caught this one with just enough light to cause it to sparkle.

The swamp sunflower (Helianthus augustifolia) is also at its peak. It is set against the purple of the Japanese maple but the mid day sun has overwhelmed that color.

The purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpura) are continuing to give a wonderful display. This is one of our magnificent natives. It shamefully self seeds but I do not protest.

I found an intruder this week. It is a Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum). It is mildly invasive but it is exotic enough to be forgiven as long as it minds its manners and stays out of the shrubbery.

Finally, I have purchased some fall annuals which will be planted soon. The pansies are in the Mystic series and the poppies called champagne bubbles are a new candidate for the Mens Garden.

Happy gardening.

Six on Saturday continues Garden Ruminations. Check it out tomorrow.

October Colors 28 Oct 2022

Even though we have had a dry month, the colors this week have been magnificent. There is a forecast for rain this weekend which will knock a lot of leaves down so this week my be the maximum for color.

The grass is still showing some color but the growth is slowing. There are still some blooms appearing to delight and surprise.

Here is this week’s efforts.

First is this patch of mums growing along the busy street. Sunlight here is mostly afternoon so the stems stretch in that direction. I do not know the name. These are transplants from a volunteer patch.

Next is the magnificent shades of a sweetspire (Itea virginica). This is an Alabama native.

Next is a cultivar of a camellia. These are Camellia sasanqua. It just started blooming this week. It is a beautiful fall blooming plant. It is covered in blooms. It is usually smaller than its relative Camellia japonica which will bloom in winter.

Next is the Sedum “Autumn Joy”. It is doing very well in a container that gets plenty of shade. The blooms are now in the brown phase as they decline but this is their prettiest phase.

Next, is the Rudbeckia hirta “Indian Summer” around the flagpole with the border of alyssum. They are beginning to show a little end of season fatigue. These have been prolific bloomers all summer and attract the pollinators.

Last but not least is my best photo of the week. This was shot at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This Acer rubra (red maple) is really showing out.

As winter approaches with its drabness and wetness, it is such a joy to experience these displays of color in the landscape.

If you have a chance, venture to Garden Ruminations where Jim Stephens is not hosting Six on Saturday.

Happy gardening.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Solo shot of the day.

Grasses and Such 20 Oct 2022

Since the garden is entering hibernation, I was searching for photos to post today. I found some photos of grasses and such. We have visited the Alabama Gulf Coast often over the years and I have a selection of photos I have taken there.

First is a pampas grass against a backdrop of palm trees. This grass is tall and stands out in the landscape with its plumes. It is a native of South America but commonly seen in the American South.

Second is a pink Muhly grass. It is a perennial sedge like plant. It is an Alabama native which blooms this time of year. It is commonly seen along roadsides. The feather blooms are noticeable from a distance.

Third is sea oats. Sorry it is a little blurry. It grows on the sand dunes and is a signature of the beach and coastal areas. It provides shelter for birds.

Here is a close up of the sea oats.

I am not sure of this next photo but my plant app suggests it is a goldenrod. The Monarch butterflies seem to enjoy it.

Finally, here is a magnificent sunrise. The object above the sun may be Venus.

So, there it is. Hope this diversion entertains you.

Just a reminder, Jim Stephens of Garden Ruminations is hosting Six on Saturday now. You can find him here: https://gardenruminations.co.uk/ He has a good blog too.

Back to gardening next week.

Frost is coming

In our area, first frost averages as November 15. I was planning on beginning to winterize my garden the last week of October. In fact, we have an out of town trip planned next week. As luck would have it, next week we are forecast for 2 nights of below freezing temps. I have had to step up today and begin that process. Tender plants have been provided shelter.

In the meantime, here are my photos for the day. I have been looking at succulents. So here are some of my discoveries.

First, this is known as a paddle plant. It has appealing shape and color with a sense of modesty about it. It will be an indoor plant. Careful not to overwater.

Second, this another interestingly shaped succulent. It may be a whisk fern although I am uncertain. It is another indoor succulent.

Third, and found at the Mens Garden. It tolerates our climate in Zone 8. It tolerates this partly sunny location nestled in a repurposed bird bath. I am unsure of the name.

Fourth, this looks likea Euphorbia but I didn’t catch the name even though it looks like the tag was beside it. It will also be an indoor plant.

Fifth, here is a mass of light blue pansies. They will tolerate our winter and even bloom. They will survive a light frost. Careful not to overfertilize them in the winter months.

Sixth, here is a lingering patch of Sunpatiens. It is a hybrid plant combination of traditional impatiens with the larger New Guinea impatiens which results in a plant that thrises in full sun in hot, humid weather. These had a slow start this summer but are have thrived ever since June. Hope they will survive this little cold snap and give pleasure for a few more weeks.

That’s it for this week. I wish you “Happy Gardening” and don’t forget to take a peek at the propagator’s blog. He is the host of Six On Saturday.