Tithonias in November

Why would a person facing the inevitable, impending gloom of garden death and dormancy neglect a potted plant that's still blooming? Why continue washing and refilling hummingbird feeders three weeks after the last sighting when some plants are still blooming in the garden, providing nectar for any straggling pollinators?

These were questions facing me recently as I admired the bright blooms of my potted 'Goldfinger' Tithonias (T. rotundifolia). They've suffered a bit more with frost the past couple of nights, but they're still standing on the porch just before the garden goes to sleep for the winter.

The plants have many buds that won't make it before the freeze, but they're so cute and fuzzy.



Oh well. That's my six for "Six on Saturday," hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. Have a wonderful weekend!

(Oh, and "Ray" says "Hello.")

Shopping Finds for 'Six on Saturday'

It's that happy time of year when the overnight frosts are ending, and it's time to plant up annuals in pots and in the potager/cutting garden. While I plan to purchase a few more plants, including a few edibles, my haul a couple of days ago is colorful and fun.

Since I'm posting for "Six on Saturday," I'll focus on a half dozen...



This is AngelDance 'Violet Bicolor' Angelonia (A. angustifolia). I've been planting Angelonias as spikes in a couple of my pots for several years now. There's something magical about the form and the shape of this plant.

Next, let's celebrate Lantanas (L. camara)! This is Bandolero 'Guava Imp.' I purchased a couple other varieties, too. I regularly plant Lantanas for the pollinators, and because I like them. They cheer me up.



Sweet Potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is a great side element in pots. The two varieties here are  'Sidekick Lime Improved' and 'Sidekick Heart Bronze.'



The mounding form of these hybrid Impatiens (I. x hybrida) works well in large pots. And the color of SunPatiens 'Compact Purple Candy' will work well with the other elements I plan to plant with them.



Caladiums (C. hortulanum) are always a joy to view. Their large, draping foliage is fascinating to observe throughout the growing season. Unfortunately, I purchased a plant with no tag, but with research, I believe  this is Heart to Heart 'Raspberry Moon.'

Finally, another joy with its bright, warm coloring is this Dahlia hybrid, Dahlinova 'Hypnotica Rose Bicolor.' Within minutes of planting it, bees and other pollinators were enthusiastically visiting. It's perfect for a view right outside my sunroom windows.

Check out other "Six on Saturday" posts at Garden Ruminations!

Surprising Garden Remnants in Late-Autumn 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.

Marigolds (Tagetes patula)

New Guinea Impatiens (I. hawkeri)

'Autumn Joy' Sedum (S. spectabile)

Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Fuchsias (F. hybrida)

Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium nepeta)

Impatiens (I. walleriana)

Lantanas (L. camara)

Zinnias (Z. elegans)

Angelonia (A. angustifolia)

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...

Graceful Vases With Buds and Blooms

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.



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



Most are 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias.



Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) adds some structure.



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



More Zinnia buds.



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



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



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



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."

Warm Autumn Bounty

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.



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



The muted colors are so fascinating...



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

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.

Last Blooms Before the Frost?

My area had a light frost last week. I gathered plentiful flowers and foliage, thinking it might be my last vase with "fresh" elements for the season.

But here in the woods, on the hill, near the lake most of the plants remain untouched and growing strong!

The vases in this post were compiled last Tuesday; some are still looking fresh almost a week later. And there are more thriving blooms and plants in the garden. Yay!



The first vase pictured at the top includes Cosmos (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix');



Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima);



Weigela foliage (W. florida);



Fading Hydrangea blooms (H. arborescens subsp. radiata 'Invincibelle Lace');



'State Fair Mix' Zinnias (Z. elegans); and



'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias (Z. elegans).



I put a little 'Zowie!' in a bud vase in the restroom.



I also added a pot of mixed elements on the wicker shelf.



It includes Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium, unknown hybrid);



Some Cosmos blooms and foliage (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix') in the middle; and 



More Weigela foliage (W. florida).



A few cuttings of the Mums created a classy hat for my lady bud vase.



As it turns out, more of these elements remain in the garden, so I'll have new cuttings and fun in the week ahead.

Head on over to Cathy's 'In a Vase on Monday' meme at Rambling in the Garden to see more beautiful vases.