Autumn to Winter, Overnight

Impatiens x hybrida 'Compact Purple Candy'

Just Past Peak

We've been blessed with a stunningly colorful autumn here in this little part of the world. While we're past peak for leaf color, bright tones still populate the landscape—just before our first snow of the season! (Flakes are falling as I post this.) The above Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) reigns down the road at the neighborhood park.



Back in my garden, the variegated colors of 'Pearl Glam' Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) are framed by Weigela (W. florida) and more Maple (Acer spp.) foliage.



I don't remember this stage of the Bugbane (Actea racemosa) remains catching my attention as much as it has this autumn. The yellow-peachy colors are unique.



'Tiny Wine' Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) has been in the garden for several years. It's really taken off this year, probably because of increased sunlight in its location. The green-to-gold foliage is bright and cheery, with a crown of apricot-hued Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) behind and above it.



Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is a fun plant in all seasons, with its oat-shaped seedheads and draping foliage. The collapsing orange Hostas behind it compliment its golden tones.



This Mountain Hydrangea (H. serrata) has rarely flowered here, but its changeable autumn foliage is reason enough to include it in a shady garden.

Finally, the dramatic play of bright red berries and golden leaves on the Cranberrybush Viburnum (V. trilobum) really pops. (Sometimes the fall color is more russet-toned; this year the change happened fast, which may have affected the color.)

I'm sneaking in, late in the day, for "Six on Saturday." While I've included seven photos, only six of the vignettes were from my garden. 😉 Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting!

Tiny Surprises

It started with a Rose bud.

I've never noticed this particular plant blooming in late autumn! It's not a continuous-flowering Rose, and I don't know the cultivar. It was here when we moved in long ago and not marked. We've only had patchy frost to-date, but I doubt this particular bud will bloom before the first freeze (likely tonight). Maybe I'll rescue it...

Then other tiny surprises caught my eye. None of these things are particularly amazing, but they're things I haven't noticed before in this garden or at this time of year.



For example, I've never noticed this type of wasp. Its unique red abdomen caught my eye, and with some research, I believe it's a solitary wasp species now being used to fight emerald ash borer in these parts. If this is the correct ID, it's a beautiful, nonstinging insect, native to the area.



Next, I noticed a couple of tiny, ripe Blueberries (Vaccinium cultivar). Not enough for a meal, but fun to find. I haven't seen Blueberries in late autumn here before, partly because most of them were eaten earlier, and partly because this is a new plant that was a gift from friends. :)

This next observation was weird. We have a patch of low-growing dwarf Forsythias (unknown cultivar), also here when we moved in. But I've never noticed them blooming this late in the season (they generally bloom in early spring). I guess they were fooled by some late-summer cool snaps, followed by unusually warm weather in September and October.



Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) has become one of my favorite native woodland ground covers. It is prevalent here, and I've transplanted a few patches and encouraged their growth. But I've never noticed this lightened, attractive edging on the foliage before. Perhaps it's happened and I simply didn't notice it? Only a few of the plants back in the woodland show this pattern.

Finally, here's a cute little nest, nestled among climbing vines at the top of the arbor. I think it's a wren's nest because of its tiny size, shape, and structure. I first noticed it earlier in the summer, but I've never seen a nest in this particular spot before. It seems especially precious surrounded by the intermingling autumn Oak and Rose foliage. I wonder if the wrens will return to use it again next year?

I'm linking in with "Six on Saturday" over at Garden Ruminations. Head on over to check out observations from other gardeners around the world!

Grasses and Alliums for Floral Arrangements

We haven't had a hard frost or freeze at our property yet, so I grabbed a few items for a couple of bouquets. In addition to the Zinnias, Cosmos, and Hostas that I often use, I added some new items I haven't included much.









The tall grass sprigs are Hakone (Hakonechloa macra). Many Hakone stems were eaten by rabbits, but I rescued a few for both vases.

I also plopped a few 'Ozawa' Alliums (A. thunbergii) into the pink grouping. Though we haven't had truly cold temperatures (below 32F) yet, the tropical annuals in pots are slowly fading. And all the plants I'm overwintering are inside the sunroom. It's almost time to hunker down for the cold season ahead.

To see more floral and plant arrangements from around the world, head on over to "In a Vase on Monday" at Rambling in the Garden.