Autumn and winter are playing tag in my part of the world lately. We've had cold days and snowy days, followed by rainy, sunny, and relatively mild days. This morning, Mother Nature blanketed the garden with a fresh coat of snow. It will probably melt on the weekend with milder temperatures, but it's pretty while it lasts.
Before the snow, I took a quick tour around the garden yesterday to note the highlights of the late autumn garden.
Most years, the Epimediums ('Rubrum' here) are chewed to the ground by the rabbits this time of year. Rabbit activity, for some reason, is lighter this autumn.
I like the stacking here of the Juniper shrub, Epimedium x warleyense, and the Ajuga groundcover.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a favorite in the garden this time of year with its colorful seed heads.
Moss on rocks and other surfaces keeps the green character going throughout the winter.
The Hellebores retain their umbrella foliage until I trim them in the spring.
I'm trying to get some swaths of Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) going, to spill over the rock wall. I've had limited success (rabbit damage, slow growth, etc.) But this one survives with a little help from caging at the base. I hope it will fill in more in the years to come.
I leave the garden seed heads, including Echinacea, up over the winter for bird food and for insects that might be overwintering in the stems. I think they also add character to the winter garden.
This combo of Coneflowers (E. purpurea) and Blue Mistflowers (Conoclinium coelestinum) is fun.
Most years, the Epimediums ('Rubrum' here) are chewed to the ground by the rabbits this time of year. Rabbit activity, for some reason, is lighter this autumn.
I like the stacking here of the Juniper shrub, Epimedium x warleyense, and the Ajuga groundcover.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a favorite in the garden this time of year with its colorful seed heads.
Moss on rocks and other surfaces keeps the green character going throughout the winter.
The Hellebores retain their umbrella foliage until I trim them in the spring.
I'm trying to get some swaths of Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) going, to spill over the rock wall. I've had limited success (rabbit damage, slow growth, etc.) But this one survives with a little help from caging at the base. I hope it will fill in more in the years to come.
I leave the garden seed heads, including Echinacea, up over the winter for bird food and for insects that might be overwintering in the stems. I think they also add character to the winter garden.
This combo of Coneflowers (E. purpurea) and Blue Mistflowers (Conoclinium coelestinum) is fun.
The 'Ozawa' Allium (A. thunbergii) I profiled in my last post is still holding its color and form.
How is your garden faring as the seasons shift? Soon the days will be consistently cold and snowy, and winter will take hold here. Things are getting festive as we shift toward the holidays...
Nice views of the seasonal shift in your part of the country, Beth. wouldn't it be nice if rabbits hibernated?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. Yes, it would be nice if they hibernated and if there were very few of them. ;-) Here in the suburbs, they don't have enough natural predators.
DeleteBeth your garden is beautiful in its decay especially the epimediums. Similar weather here but it looks like after snow tomorrow we stay cold.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. I'm happy that the rabbits haven't eaten the Epimedium foliage this fall. Stay warm!
DeleteHello Beth, I always enjoy your posts. We leave our garden seed heads as well. This morning we had a flock of goldfinch eating on the coneflower heads, it is always fun to see.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Season!
Carla
Thanks, Carla. :) Yes, it is so fun (and gratifying) to watch the birds and critters munching on the seed heads.
DeleteLovely set of autumn shots before the snow. I love the look of seed heads, they have such a simple beauty, even more so when birds are nibbling at the offerings.
ReplyDeleteWith all that's now known about the benefits of leaving the garden stems and seed heads through the winter, I can't imagine removing them until spring. Fun to know they're helping the birds, insects, bees, and other garden friends to survive.
DeleteSo nice that you caught the hellebores against that carpet of pinkish brown leaves. Happy Holidays :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Hellebores, for so many reasons. Happy Holidays, Hollis!
DeleteIt took me forever to get Hakonechloa to established. I think I finally caged it for a while. Now the rabbits mostly leave it alone. Don't think I've had them eat my Epimediums in the autumn. They're constantly surprising. Love the look of the oak leaves beneath the Hellebore. And yes, we did get more snow than you.
ReplyDeleteAh, good to know. Thanks. I might try to cage a larger area for them. True: You never know what the rabbits will go for. Our snow is almost melted, but it looks like next weekend will be colder and bring more snow.
DeleteSnow--lovely. Here, some precious rain. Garden looks a bit scruffy with highlights (roses, ripening oranges) but that's okay in December. Your Hellebore looks like it is getting ready for spring--wonderful flowers to look forward to. Some of the small mail order Hellebores i planted 2 1/2 years ago look to be preparing to "leap"--here's hoping!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're getting your needed rain! Your roses are amazing! The Hellebore foliage stays green and healthy through the winter, even under the snow. They're fabulous early spring bloomers.
DeleteThe snow scene is beautiful. I love how you've highlighted the graceful aging of coneflowers and other plants still providing lovely interest. We've had some cold weather, but honestly cherry and apricot trees in the neighborhood are blooming and today in my garden I came across a hyacinth forming.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. Oh my goodness: blooming fruit trees! That is so far off for me. I will have to live vicariously through your blog until March. :)
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