Changing Seasons

This was the scene last month on the 23rd. Now all of these trees have lost their leaves. We have had rain off and on all week with mild temperatures. With the ground so wet there is little that can be accomplished except to make plans for next spring. A few days of sunshine are predicted which may give a chance to pull a few weeds and  if it gets dry enough to put a few more bulbs in the ground.

Eyes and Edges

'Woman at the Well'

When we first started to collect daylilies we didn't include many of those with
edges and eyes.

'Crazy Ivan

As the collection grew we started to add more with this characteristic.

'American Icon'

These bloomed in my garden this summer, for some it was their first year here.

'Loafin in Lahani'

I have really enjoyed the striking contrast of these eyes and edges.

Jackie Kropf

Roses to Enjoy

We are having such lovely fall weather. It has been wonderful working outside this weekend. The roses are still blooming but the corn has been harvested this week and there were light frosts last weekend.

I love these full open blooms of the English roses...

and I am glad there there are still a few more to open...

Each new bud now is a real joy to see knowing that there may be only a few more.

The yellow knockout roses have been really pretty the last couple of weeks. I planted daffodils in a bed near them yesterday and their scent made the job more enjoyable.

We planted about 350 daffodils yesterday, and that job in itself and the leaves that are starting to fall are reminders that I need to get busy and use any of the nice days that I have. I still have several jobs to finish before this garden season ends.

Pale Pastels

'Isle of Wight'

There are daylilies that need to be enjoyed up close.

'Northern Dawn'

They don't shout at you from across the garden,

'Coming to America'

but if you take the time to stroll,

'Pink Praise'

you will be amazed at their delicate colors

'God Alone'

and their ruffled edges.

'Winter Treasure'

They will make you  smile and be glad you decided there was time to slow down and stroll through the garden to discover its quieter side.



Some New Plants for the Garden

Salvia 'Black and Blue' is new  to the garden this year. I was surprised to see this much bloom since it was planted only last month. I know that I am pushing the hardiness limits a little with this plant but after seeing it in bloom in a garden almost 90 miles to the north of me I had to give it try.

Another new plant to the garden is a white coneflower Echinacea 'Fragrant Angel'. I have several of the pink coneflowers some of which I don't know the variety. They are usually carefree plants here except that I am always torn whether to leave the seedpods for the birds or cut them back to make the garden look better. If I see the goldfinches feeding they usually stay.



This black eyed susan caught my eye at the garden center and I decided to give it a try. This one is 'Cherry Brandy'. It is supposed to be both drought tolant and deer resistant. If this one overwinters well I may want to add some of the other Rubeckia's