Nearly the end of September and I am still able to enjoy my flower garden. I never take that for granted. It is my happy place, a passion and not something I can enjoy all year.
Most of the garden is looking tired and ready to give it up. I've left some flowers to dry on the stem to go to seed to rejuvenate the garden next year. I think that's where some of the surprises originate from - the self sowing and spreading. I've collected some seeds of some wildflowers when I've been out hiking and have spread them. I don't have too much luck with that - but I keep trying.
We've been so fortunate to continue to have some moisture in the way of rain that is so essential for these tired plant root systems before they become dormant. We've also been fortunate that the evenings haven't become so cool yet as to produce the first frosts that puts an abrupt end to everything. The Aspen haven't even begun to change yet, though I have spied a branch or two with a few leaves turning the golden yellow. With any luck, we will have that stunning showing in mid October.
So for now, I shall enjoy this late season garden with it's gorgeous yellows, oranges, and reds. What's not to love about Autumn?
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| Echinops (Globe Thistle) finally blooming. |
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| Not dead-heading the Black Eyed Susans - hoping they'll go to seed and reseed for next year. Gorgeous view, huh! |
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The old stump - always a struggle to figure out what to plant inside it as it dries out so quickly.
The geraniums seems happy, as do the Nasturtiums planted from seed. The first frost will kill both of these.
You can hardly see the Hens and Chicks planted in the wire basket at the bottom. Took them out and planted them in the ground.
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| The Phlox finally bloomed - though it isn't a very stunning color. Certainly not when it's sitting next to the vibrant sunflowers. |
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| The Cranesbill continues to bloom since June. Tiger Lilies in the background and also Veronica. |
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| Salvia |
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| Note the two blue spruce trees to the left. They were the only things planted here when I started and they were half this size and really straggly. They have thrived with the soaker hose watering system we use for the top flower bed. We planted the Aspen you see center/right. They were just babies a few short years ago. |
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| Tiger lilies - still going strong. |
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| Absolutely no photo shop here - are the colors of nature not breath taking? |
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| I ordered some Trumpet Lilies last year - I think five of them. I planted them in different locations and this is the only one that bloomed. Over the next several years, they are suppose to grow to heights of six feet or more! I love how long lilies stay in bloom. |
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| Note the beads of rain drops on the leaves? The consistent rains we've had have been such a blessing in so many ways. |
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| The moles are back...urgh! The traps go off - but the moles don't get caught! They always show up this time of year and dig tunnels throughout the garden! I worry every year that those tunnels will destroy the root system of many plants and they'll die over the winter. |
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| The sedum is gorgeous! No surprise it's called Autumn Joy. |
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| What's not to love about sunflowers? |
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| This Aspen came up on it's own last summer - just a single shoot and look at it now! It's loves the rain that rolls off the roof just above it. |
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| Took the succulents I had planted in containers and put them in the ground. Hopefully they'll winter just fine. |
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| An Autumn welcome when you arrive. |
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| It was time to shift the front porch from a summer theme to an Autumn decor. |
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| The garden on September 22nd. |
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| The Aspens haven't begun their transformation to a golden hue for Autumn yet. |
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| Plants on the porch are thriving - until... the first deadly frost arrives. That could be anytime now. |
