Tuesday, October 21, 2014

A Bit of Gardening Colour

These days filled with fall colour don't last long.  And with this weird autumn weather, some trees are still fully green, while others have turned colour and dropped all their leaves!  You really have to be watching to capture the changes as they whiz by in a flash.  This morning the rain has held off, but the clouds are still heavy.  I tip toed out with my camera in a bit of a misty morning with the neighbours watching from their kitchen, snug with hands wrapped round coffee mugs and enjoying watching the strange lonely lady next door on knees and hanging upside down taking photos ... what a nut.

But hopefully you'll all understand what you have to go through to get close up and personal with your garden. It's not so nice though when everything is damp and cold.

First off is my favourite burning bush in the front yard.  This is such a beautiful bush, and if you can grow it in your area, I highly recommend it.  It doesn't require trimming, loves full hot sun, and in the fall it comes into it's own with spectacular deep red.  Yesterday's non-stop rain is still clinging to the leaves.


I never did get to planting a border of bushes along the lot line with my neighbour this summer.  It's still something I want to do though.  I'm torn between adding more burning bushes, or some bridal wreath.  But being more of a fall person rather than spring, I think I'd prefer to see a nice row of crimson along the border in fall, rather than a row of white in spring.



I thought the soft autumn colours were nice from my front door ... 


There are still a few surprises in the garden this week.  Although most of my coneflowers are looking pretty worn, there were three dahlias looking bright and cheery, even after the deluge of rain yesterday and the cold temperatures.  Aren't they pretty for this time of year?


The lavender is just about finished too.  There wasn't too much to harvest this year, but I'm hoping to see a big change next year with all the plants I put in for my lavender hedge.


A small bed of begonias are going strong too.  I've noticed begonias are actually quite strong and last longer than most flowers in my garden.  You'd think they'd be quite tender with their fleshy stems.


My mossy stump looks fantastic in the dark wood chips and browning ferns.  I'm so happy with that little experiment and if I can find another stump, I might make another one ... there's lots of moss growing thick on the north side of my garden shed.


The ferns themselves look beautiful as they fade from green, to yellow, to brown.  I really like the dark brown pods(?) that come up in the centre of some of the ferns.  Not sure what they are exactly, but they look so striking against the other softer shades.


This last photo is for my friend Stacy.  You see my friend, not only did I take a few photos this morning, but I also dug up my pretty pink petunia (which I've kept going for two summers now), and it's ready to come indoors again ;)  Thank you for that last bit of encouragement you gave me recently Stacy, it was just the push I needed to get this simple task done!


Now all the plants that I wanted to save are indoors, and the rest can come to a graceful end outside because I don't have room for any more in here!  The patio furniture is packed away, the shed is organized once again, and the pond is was drained (but is now full of rain water again ... but that's my son's job), and my little gurgling fountain which the birds loved so much this summer is put away till next year. Time to get some birdseed for my winter birds.  The thistle seed eaters seem to have all flown south now.  I've seen herons and turkey vultures migrating away from us too.  It's coming.  Wish us luck!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wendy





19 comments:

  1. You're so right Wendy - Autumn can go by in such a flash. We have a beautiful large tree on the opposite side of the road (not sure what it is - a lime?) and this morning it was covered in brown leaves - it's now standing almost bare after a rather wild and windy day! I love your mossy stump - a perfect place for pixies I think ;) Keep cosy x Jane

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  2. Your burning bush is in a happy place with lots of sun, spectacular colour! I brought in one geranium this year and only because I really like the lavender colour of the flowers. The garden is definitely winding down and it has a really nice earthy smell to it that I like.

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  3. Oh how beautiful! I'm looking for plant/shrub combos that the deer won't bother. I really hope I find things with beautiful fall colour as well... bloody deer! ;)

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  4. Lovely shots, and I just love that burning bush! I was in Illinois last week and saw so many of these. Such beautiful color! Have never seen these in Texas, but hope to try one next year

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  5. I love your burning bush. My uncle has one and they seem to be popular here in Indiana. I no longer have a yard, just a patio, to garden on. I miss it, but patio gardening is much easier. Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  6. Beautiful photos. The burning bush is spectacular. I should get one. I always admire it in others' gardens.

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  7. The trees are mostly bare here, but still a few trees in their colours.
    We had burning bushes on our property line at our last house...it always looked spectacular...go for it!
    Jane x

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  8. Lovely images. Your Burning bush and flowers are gorgeous.. Have a happy week!

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  9. The last of summer colours, so pretty and wonderfully photographed!

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  10. Your flowers are so beautiful for this late in the year! Enjoyed the lovely shots of the burning bush!

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  11. Love the burning bush it's spectacular Wendy what a shame that it has to shed its leaves, your garden flowers are lovely, I have a few that survived the winter last year because they are growing in my porch and have a bit of shelter, Ive got my fingers crossed that they will make it through this winter too, a geranium and a fuschia, :) xx

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  12. oh so great and gorgeous ! thanks ! have a lovely day !

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  13. I agree about the leaves changing so quickly. I love that mossy stump!

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  14. Hi Wendy,

    What autumnal beauty in your October garden! I have tried to grow begonias several times, but have failed on each occasion, fearing that over watering was at fault. Your flowers are all still fresh looking, and I truly hope you can save as many as your home allows.

    Just wanted to say that I am shocked about the shootings on Parliament Hill today, and very sad about the soldier who has lost his life. I am watching CP24 Live coverage, having just observed the press conference in Ottawa, and am very worried about our country's security. I pray that all will be well again.

    xx
    Poppy

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  15. Hi there, found you whilst blog hopping :) Autumn colour is fab isn't it :) I have a few little plants clinging on but most of my garden tidying is done now. I think Burning Bush might be called Forest Flame over here. Or maybe that's my mums own made-up name lol. Anyway yours is beautiful :)
    Jillxo

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  16. OMG, look at your awesome 'burning bush' in the front yard.What a gorgeous autumn color♡♡♡ Your garden seems dreamy place to visit, Wendy(*^_^*)

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  17. Your garden still has so much colour in it! I remember when you started your mossy stump. It was nice to see how well it has done.

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  18. Your burning bush is so beautiful Wendy!! A whole row of them would be just wonderful wouldn't it. Your mossy stump is amazing too, it has done so well since the modest beginnings earlier in the year, another one to join it would look really great! If I could find some moss I would make one to go in the area where we have ferns, I just need a log!! xx

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  19. Those red leaves are spectacular! And I am impressed that you are so organised, putting your garden to bed for the winter, I have weeks of work to do yet. But my knitting calls and I put it off till another day!

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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