It is finally here. Even though a snowfall is nonexistent and unlikely, our weather has brought plant growth to a crawl. The sunrise seems so distant and silent. The few birds are also silent but they do come to the feeder.
This is the last post for 2023 but I did find some interesting photos for you.
Come join us tomorrow for our Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.
I have been dreading the dull, wetness of the approaching winter. In fact, this week, I thought that I might take the week off from Six on Saturday. I was better motivated today and I resolved to find some worthy snaps for the blog.
To delight, it was a sunny and pleasant day. There were plenty of photo opportunities and I am including 6 of those that inspired me.
If you are new here, we post on SixOnSaturday. I will give you the link shortly. It is hosted by Jim Stephens and there are always beautiful photos. Take the time to visit. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.
The Columbine has appeared. I think it may be A. canadensis which will be a beautiful pink. In my youth, we called it honeysuckle and we would bite off the little tips for the nectar.
The paper bush has steadily healed all summer from last December’s icy insult and is getting ready for next month’ display. It has a wonderful fragrance and an eye catching architecture.
The fig did not bear fruit last summer. This new sprout is making me hope for a crop of figs. If not for me, perhaps the birds and squirrels can enjoy some.
Camellia japonica “Prof Charles Sargent “Osmanthus fragrant “ Tea Olive”Hardy Mum with Syphus sp Hairy Eyed Flower Fly
The japonica is showing signs of recovery from the disastrous cold of last December. This camellia has been in the garden since 1980.
The osmanthus is also slowly recovering. I have pruned it gently all summer and fall removing the twigs that are dried out. It shows evidence of new growth and I am optimistic for its future.
The hardy mum is a new transplant which I featured a few weeks ago. I am reposting it today because of its little pollinator visitor with the comical name. I came across this on iNaturalist and I am pleased to share it.
I cannot say that I will post next week but I do send you Greetings and Hope for a Joyful New Year.
The calendar turned over to December and Christmas is approaching. Things are very slow moving in the garden. I searched for photo worthy plants today and I had a lot of success.
Here in the American South we don’t expect snow or deep freeze temperatures. We may have a light frost every week or two but it is still a good time of year to plant trees, shrubs and even some perennials if we are forecast to have above freezing weather for a week or 10 days. We can do that because the ground temperature will remain above freezing and plant roots will be undamaged.
Here is my six for this week. Perhaps, you would like to join our group tomorrow. It is Six on Saturday which is hosted by Jim Stephens. It is a group of gardeners from around the world posting 6 photos for the week. If you enjoy gardening, come visit. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.
I keep the begonia ready to return to the cold frame if the temperatures dip. In the spring, I will take cuttings to propagate new plants and use them to fill my window boxes until the next fall. This has successfully worked with this begonia cultivar and pelargonium/geraniums for 3 years now.
The succulent is perhaps a “panda”. It tolerates some light frost. It is near the front door and I can move it in if there are very cool nights.
The larkspur is a perennial that I purchased recently and it will be planted in the garden come spring. At the moment, it resides on the front stoop where it is protected from wind and heavy rain.
Pansy “Delta Premium Blue”Cornus floridaCleome
The pansy is a frequent selection for fall planting in our region. They do not like temps above 80F but they will tolerate a moderate frost. I do like their cheery faces. I have grown some from seed in the past but it is so much easier to choose from the many varieties at the local nursery. These populate my window boxes until it’s time to replace them with the dragon wing begonias in the spring.
The dogwood has such lovely leaf color and seed pod. This photo captures it for you. The dogwoods are disappearing from our landscape. They have been devastated by a dogwood borer.
I was gifted the cleome seeds back in the spring. The seeds did not germinate for me in the pots that I had filled with potting soil. I didn’t give up on them and they began appearing 2 weeks ago. I potted them up today. I will keep them under grow lights until they are large enough to take them outdoors. They will remain in the pots until spring planting with protection in the cold frame if there is freezing temps.
We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family in Hilton Head, South Carolina. These photos are not from the home garden but from the beautiful arrangement on the festive table.
This is a special holiday because in America it is the 4th Thursday in November and that long weekend means that most Americans spend it with family. The meal is most associated with turkey, vegetable casseroles and for dessert pecan or pumpkin pie. Here in the American South, we favor turkey, squash casserole, cornbread dressing and pecan pie.
Yesterday’s table was adorned with fresh cut local flowers. I photographed them and present them to you for your pleasure.
I will be posting these on the Six on Saturday sight tomorrow. Come join us if you are able. Jim Stephens hosts us. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/
ZinniaZinniaSunflower
The zinnias were still very beautiful. The Helianthus is unnamed but it is a looker.
ChrysanthemumHelianthusMoss Creek, South Carolina
The last 3 are a chrysanthemum, another sunflower and the back yard of our lodging in South Carolina.
We are returning home today and I hope to join you again next Friday with photos of my yard.
After a very dry fall up until now, the forecast is for a typical November rainy period for the next 10 days. That is refreshing since the ground has been parched and the plants show signs of drought stress. Maybe, it will soon be time to plant bulbs and move some plants. Despite all this there are still plants that show plenty of color. There is no frost in the forecast so this should continue for the foreseeable future.
I love this time of year in the American South. The moderate temperatures make the outdoors so pleasant. It is cool enough for a sweater or jacket in the morning but that needs to be shed by mid-day. The garden work is easier since there are much less weeds and the bugs are minimal.
So let’s walk and look at the colors that I lured you with. I know you will enjoy the colors.
Perhaps, you would like to join us tomorrow morning with our Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk
Blue Mistflower or Wild AgeratumEncore azalea with variegated colorEchinacea purpura
The ageratum came as a surprise. I have a large container filled with sedum and Mexican petunias. I do not how the ageratum arrived there but it is a keeper.
The azalea was a solid pink color at its last bloom in the summer. Now, many of the blooms have this white variegation. I will have to keep an eye on this.
The coneflower began blooming in April and it is still blooming. It has self seeded in several locations in the garden over the last few years.
Alabama crotonShasta daisyVirginia Creeper
The Croton alabamensis is now flashing its beautiful fall foliage. It is a small shrub and has managed to reseed itself in a few locations near the original plant. I have been able to replant these seedlings in other locations in the yard.
The Shasta daisies stopped blooming several weeks ago but this straggler appeared this week.
The Virginia creeper is an annoying vine most of the time. Here is it in its fall finest. I cannot be annoyed with such a display.
Halloween is just a few days away and the color of that season is orange. It is visible in the neighborhood in great abundance. To me, that is not the most attractive color of autumn. I prefer the yellows, golds and reds. There are still some blooms in the garden but the most spectacular item this week is the autumn leaf color.
We are in a dry spell but that is our usual October condition. I have been doing some watering but mostly for those plants in their first year.
Come and let us visit my garden and let’s enjoy the beautiful colors. If you would like, come back tomorrow and visit the Six on Saturday gang. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Gardeners from around the world from Finland to New Zealand post photos from their gardens. It is a great experience.
Here is my six for this week.
PawpawJapanese PersimmonRedbud
The first leaf color is from the PawPaw (Asimina triloba). No fruit from this native this year but it is less than 5 years old.
The Japanese persimmon (Fuyu) is also but 5 years old. It started out with many fruit this spring but dropped them all. I am hopeful.
The third is Cerca canadensis (Red bud). It is notable for the small pink blooms in early spring but it is less appreciated for the golden, cordate leaves of the fall.
ChrysanthemumKnockout rose
The hardy mums are beautiful this fall. They are slowly creeping outward since being planted 3 years ago. They really put on a good show.
This is the knockout rose. This Rosa “Knockout” has bloomed continuously since late February after pruning. It has more flower power than any other plant in the garden.
This gulf fritillary is enjoying the nectar from the lantana “Miss Huff”. This plant is shrub sized and has bloomed continuously since mid Spring. It will die back after frost but returns more vigorous than ever in the spring.
One last thing before I go, I want to introduce you to “Junior”. He is feral but he seems to enjoy my company as long as I remain at a safe distance. He is being well fed by feline fanciers in the neighborhood. He patrols my yard and so far, he has not been observed having any of the homicidal behavior for which his like have been accused.
The sunflower is either maximiliani or augustifolius. Whichever it is, it is magnificent this year. The stems are over 6 feet tall. I have been told to chop them back in midsummer next year which will promote branching and more abundant flowering.
The goldenrod is adjacent to the sunflower as you can see and this native has also been very prolific this year.
These two plants have been rejuvenated with relief from the summer heat. The heucherella does well in a container and the Turk’s cap has tall stems that “flop” but can be easily supported. I added in the fruit of the Turk’s cap because it is so colorful.
Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria blue’KalanchoeSedum reflexum
I am flagrantly breaking the rules and including these three other photos. The Salvia is such a tough plant. It keeps blooming througout the summer and it is putting on a good show this fall. I recently purchased another variety with white blooms.
I added the other two succulents which are winter hardy for us here in Zone 8A. They are also rejuvenated by the milder autumn temps. I have added the names but I stand to be corrected if anyone is more expert than me in the correct nomenclature.
Thank you for joining me as we surveyed the garden. It is a pleasure to share it with you. If you like, you might enjoy coming to join our Six on Saturday group. We are a group of gardeners from around the world who share on the site hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.
I am out of town this week but I took the liberty of taking some photos last week. It has cooled down a little. It is feeling more like fall. It seems that summer has hurried by but that may only been another illusion of mine.
We have had an irrigation problem at the Corner Garden. I will show you a photo that I took illustrating the source.
Come take a stroll with me through the garden. We can sit in the shade whenever you like. I might even be able to provide you with a glass of “sweet tea”. It will be refreshing. If you are able, come join us Saturday morning when Jim Stephens hosts us at this website https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. This will allow you to join the Six on Saturday crowd as we tour gardens throughout the world.
The Stokesia is blooming again. It is feeling the cooler temps that are approaching.
The Blackberry lily continues to produce some beautiful blooms.
The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp) is blooming madly. Less prolific this year but still awe inspiring.
GomphrenaAzaleaLimelight
The Gomphrena “strawberry fields” has been outstanding this year.
The Encore Azalea (this one may be “Autumn Royalty” is nicely blooming. This variety has 3 blooming periods a year although this has been this year’s first blooming.
The Limelight hydrangea is in its first year and has been blooming for 3 months now. This cultivar is “Bobo”
I mentioned an irrigation issue and here it is. This is at the Corner Garden and we will need some professional help here. Keep you posted.
It is hot this week! It is very hot this week! The county warned of poor air quality. Temperatures will be near 40 degrees C both today and tomorrow. The forecast is for some increased rain probability over the next week and that will lower the temps down a little perhaps to as low as 35 degrees.
The garden is at a maximum. The plants are green and lush. The blooms are abundant. The butterflies, pollinators and birds are very busy.
The crocosmia photo is a little blown out but you can see that this cultivar is aptly named. The foliage is gladiolus like and it does want to lay down from rainfall or the wind. The plant is a little agressive and I have to pull up plants on the advancing edge of the thicket.
The ruellia does have a beautiful color. It is another plant that minds its manners the best if kept in a container.
The Stokes aster is in its glory. It is doing so nicely with a little shade at mid day and with the backdrop of the Southern Shield ferns.
The coleus are in a container in the shade garden. They do get enough morning sun to thrive. They did not like the coolness of the spring but they are thriving now.
The limelight hydrangeas are a showstopper. They are a very popular shrub in our area now. They are not afraid of the sun like other hydrangeas. This is the original and they are tall. Smaller varieties are now available like ‘Little Lime’ and ‘Hobo’ which are smaller and can be grown in front of other shrubs.
As promised last week, here come the Shasta daisies. This cultivar is ‘Becky’ I think. You can see that there are a lot more buds waiting to open this week. This daisy always puts on a good show.
One more photo for you today.
This is the ongoing project of the propagation of limelight hydrangeas from cuttings that began in March. 5 hydrangeas are progressing well. It may be these will be used to replace some of the azaleas that suffered damage from the December deep freeze.
Every Saturday, Jim Stephens is hosting Six on Saturday. Join us and see gardens from all around the world. Sip on your coffee or other beverage and enjoy. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.
A survey of the garden today reveals a significant advance this week. More shrubs that were damaged by December’s flash freeze are showing signs of new growth. This is noticeable with the lorapetalum, azaleas and now finally the gardenias and camellias. What a relief! I was not looking forward to replacing so many shrubs.
I planted tomatoes this week which I hope was not too brave a move. The onions are doing well and so are the potatoes. Even a few beets that survived the winter are showing signs of being mature soon. The ground temperature was 55 degrees F yesterday so I am holding off on some caladium bulbs.
Here are this weeks photos.
I have three hostas to show you. I am unsure of the upper left and lower center but the lower left is called guacamole. That lower center hosta shows some signs of slug damage so I treated it with diatomaceous earth. Hope that helps.
Upper middle is a pointsettia that I saved several years ago and kept in my cold frame. It just recently showed signs of festive colors. Better late than never.
Upper right is a magnificent daylily. Cultivar is unknown but it is beautiful whatever is its name.
The lower right is a Japanese persimmon which I acquired several years ago. This is the first year that it has set fruit. I am very pleased because the fruit is delicious.
Join our Six on Saturday crowd tomorrow if you are in the neighborhood. It is curated by Jim Stephens. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.
