November 18, 2024

Surprising Garden Remnants in Late-Autumn Vases

Bud Vases

I'm pleased to have so many blooms still bright and available this late in the season. Still no hard frost, but the forecast says it's just around the corner, likely sometime in the week ahead.

Most plants in the garden are faded and flopped or dormant, but the ones shown here reside in protected areas near the house and the rock wall.

I'm joining in with Cathy's In a Vase on Monday meme, and she's challenged us with the theme of "11": She's celebrating the 11th anniversary of her meme! So here are 11 plants, in little vases, in no particular order. I'm including the common names and genera and species, but please forgive me for leaving off the varieties--some tags are gone at this late date.

Tagetes patula
Marigolds (Tagetes patula)

Impatiens hawkeri
New Guinea Impatiens (I. hawkeri)

Sedum spectabile
'Autumn Joy' Sedum (S. spectabile)

Chrysanthemum morifolium
Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Fuchsia hybrida
Fuchsias (F. hybrida)

Clinopodium nepeta
Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium nepeta)

Impatiens walleriana
Impatiens (I. walleriana)

Lantana camara
Lantanas (L. camara)

Zinnia elegans
Zinnias (Z. elegans)

Angelonia angustifolia
Angelonia (A. angustifolia)

Jacobaea maritima
Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)

It's been a gentle transition this year from summer through fall. I'm thankful for these blessings.

And thanks, again, to Cathy for hosting! Stay warm, everyone. On to winter...

November 13, 2024

Wordless Late-Season Garden Visitors

Asian Lady Beetle 1
Asian Lady Beetle

Eastern Boxelder Bug
Eastern Boxelder Bug

Geometer Moth
Geometer Moth

Asian Lady Beetle 2
Asian Lady Beetle

Cluster Fly
Cluster Fly

Asian Lady Beetle & Clemens' Clepsis Moth
Asian Lady Beetle (and unknown moth)

Woolly Bear Caterpillar
Woolly Bear Caterpillar

November 04, 2024

Graceful Vases With Buds and Blooms

still blooming
Center: Fuchsia hybrida 'Dollar Princess.' Clockwise from top left: Tagetes patula 'Durango Outback Mix,' Chrysanthemum morifolium, Impatiens walleriana 'Beacon Violet Shades,' Clinopodium nepeta, Zinnia elegans 'State Fair Mix,' Lantana camara 'Bandolero Pink,' Impatiens x hybrida 'SunPatiens Compact Hot Pink,' Zinnia elegans 'Zowie! Yellow Flame.'

Surprisingly, many plants are still blooming here in Southern Wisconsin. Just a very light frost has allowed the plants shown above to survive and even thrive...so far. It won't be long now, but I gathered some remaining buds, blooms, and foliage for some vases.

arrangement 1

This vase (above) includes quite a few Zinnia (Z. elegans) buds and blooms.

zowie zinnias

Most are 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias.

dusty miller 1

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) adds some structure.

weigela

I also included some Weigela foliage (W. florida).

zowie buds

More Zinnia buds.

arrangement 2

In the lady vase: one bloom, some buds, and some foliage.

sfm zinnia

The star of her hat is a 'State Fair Mix' Zinnia (Z. elegans).

cosmos buds

Some Chrysanthemum foliage and Cosmos (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix') buds and foliage give her hat some height and personality.

arrangement 3

Finally, another vase in another room displays more Zinnias and Dusty Miller.

We're having a warm autumn, and I'm welcoming the continuing options for cut flowers. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting "In a Vase on Monday."

October 28, 2024

Warm Autumn Bounty

Hydrangea 3

We aren't breaking daily high temperature records for October here in the Madison area...but we've been consistently warmer than normal. The community's had several frosts, but my garden has only briefly flirted with light frost.

Long story, but the location on a hill, in the woods, near the lake protects it a bit, and many plants near the house and other structures continue to flourish. I know this won't last long, but I'm enjoying the blooms and bounty as long as possible.

Most years, I clip a few Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) blooms to dry for display in the months ahead. I simply fill a vase with flowers and water, and let it evaporate/drain. I eventually cut off the leaves and the flowers retain their color as they dry.

Hydrangea 2

Recently, I put a bouquet in the powder room, and it creates such a graceful statement.

Hydrangea 1

The muted colors are so fascinating...

Hydrangea 4

The shades of green and magenta and pink are very calming and lovely.

Garden Cuttings

I also cut several other bouquets for display in other locations in the house, including this grouping of various Zinnias and a mix of foliage. With props, it celebrates autumn and the holiday ahead. Happy Halloween!

Will I have blooms for display next week? Time will tell. Until then, head on over to Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme at Rambling in the Garden to see more fun creations.