Every day ... every hour ... the landscape transitions to autumn. Tomatoes still ripen in the potager, while Mother Nature warns that cooler, darker days are on the way.
In the meantime, the colors are particularly vibrant this October! Tree and shrub foliage is shifting to its dramatic palette of vibrant hues. But because we've had no frost, many annuals and perennials are still budding, blooming, and thriving.
So, for this week's "Six" I decided to focus on blends of growing-season stalwarts framed by signals of autumn:
Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium nepeta) with a backdrop of fallen Crabapple (Malus spp.) and Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) leaves.
Still-blooming New Guinea Impatiens (I. hawkeri); and beyond are frost-portender 'Ozawa' Alliums (A. thunbergii) and browning Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris).
'Zinfandel' Oxalis (O. vulcanicola) near the multicolored, changing leaves of Wild Senna (S. hebecarpa).
The red berries and green foliage of Cranberrybush Viburnum (V. trilobum), partnered with the warm, colorful tones of Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) climbing a tree in the woods. (The Viburnum berries will remain through part of winter, although the foliage soon will color, brown, and drop).
'Invincibelle Lace' Hydrangea (H. arborescens subsp. radiata) still blooming and green, while its neighbor, Beautyberry (Callicarpa 'Pearl Glam') sports autumn shades of dark brown and green, coral, and magenta.
And a bloom of 'Sensation Mix' Cosmos (C. bipinnatus) plopped amongst burgundy blooms of 'Autumn Joy' Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile).
The transitions of autumn are certainly dramatic. I'm linking in with "Six on Saturday" over at Garden Ruminations. Thanks to Jim for hosting!
I have fond memories of hiking in MN and eating highbush cranberries, but only ever one or two since the birds rely on them in winter. I hate how dark it is in the morning! In a month I need to drive to Wisconsin Rapids in time for an 8 am class and I am not looking forward to getting on the road at 5:30 am - I dislike driving in the dark when the deer are on the move. Oh well, using a fleet vehicle, so at least there will be no damage to my car if I have an unfortunate encounter with a large mammal. I love how your cosmos decided to photobomb that sedum!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth: What a fun memory! I've tried the Viburnum berries a couple of times, but I think I need to try them after a frost. Supposedly they're tastier then. And like you, I like to leave most of them for the birds. The cedar waxwings and robins seem especially fond of them. I agree, re: the darkness at dawn. And too soon it will be dark at both ends of the day. :( Be careful during your drive! (I must admit that I planted that Cosmos, although it happens sometimes and they are neighbors. ;) )
DeleteYour garden is making a graceful transition into fall, Beth. It's harder to see the transition here with few leaves turning color but we did get rain this week!
ReplyDeleteHi Kris! Oh, I'm so glad you got some rain! I know how beautiful SoCal can be in all seasons--with family over there. Our dramatic autumns are lovely, but what follows is tough. I never look forward to winter, but I try to appreciate it...until February, when it's just too much!
DeleteWhat a lovely autumnal selection, Beth. The warm tones of the fallen leaves creates a perfect background for the delicate flowers of the Lesser Calamint. The Oxalis and the yellows & greens of the Wild Senna are a perfect combination. Was that planned, or a very happy accident? The red berries are beautiful and I love your use of selective focus. Your post is a feast for the eyes! 😊
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catherine. ♥ I have to admit that I didn't really plan any of the combinations, although I've moved things around over the years. It's funny that you mention the Oxalis and the Wild Senna because I'm looking out the window and the golds of the Senna are even more dramatic than in the photo. Sometimes the colors of this season just take my breath away. And they change from day to day.
DeleteLots of great photos. The Lesser Calamint flowers are very pretty - almost Penstemon like and I love the contrast of the yellow flowers and purple foliage of the 'Zinfandel' Oxalis.
ReplyDeleteThank you. 'Zinfandel' is definitely a favorite. It's potted, and I bring it inside during the winter, so it's fun to enjoy it in all seasons. The Lesser Calamint flowers are so tiny, so they kind of form a blanket of foliage and flowers from early summer until a hard frost. The plant smells wonderful, too. ♥
DeleteI think we are having very similar weather to you, no frost yet and still a mix of sunshine and rain. You have some lovely colours in your garden, definitely looking towards autumn with the warm colours of the leaves in the backgrounds of your photos.
ReplyDelete