 |
| Aromatic asters and Muhly grass |
It's October the 15th, Bloom Day, hosted by Carol Michel's May Dreams Gardens blog. I'm writing this a day earlier because I'd planned to hike in WV with a friend today, but the weather predictions weren't good, so we postponed our hike. Happy Bloom Day, welcome to my garden!
The rains from tropical storm Isaias last weekend brought almost three and a half inches to our area, and very welcome it was. As usual, the rain brings out wonders in my garden; let's take a look.
The Aromatic asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) I planted in Herb's bed in the spring have opened just in time for this post, as well as the Muhly grass with the big plumes--I believe this variety is called 'Flamingo.' Anyway, it's a beautiful combination. The insects love these autumn flowers!
 |
| Aromatic asters and Muhly grass |
 |
| Herb's bed in October |
 |
| Herb's bed with red Salvia |
The pink Chrysanthemums near the veggie pagoda are starting to open, the red ones are farther behind in opening. I couldn't resist buying a couple more potted mums that were on sale at Lowes. I'll tuck those in somewhere after they finish blooming, for now they decorate the front walk.
 |
| Pink mums |
 |
| Pink mums with grasses |
 |
| Orange mum along the front walk |
I spotted a few of the Crocus speciosus I planted last fall in the back bed, but the ones I planted some weeks ago in other beds haven't popped up yet. They have such lovely delicate flowers, I wish mine would multiply and cover large expanses... maybe someday.
 |
| Crocus speciosus |
The leaves are showing more autumn color: the Redbud tree in the back yard turned yellow practically overnight, and my Yellowwood tree (Cladrastris kentuckea) is showing nice color.
 |
| Back yard with Redbud tree |
 |
| Yellowwood tree on the west side |
 |
| The west side looking down from the deck |
In the same bed with the Yellowwood there are a few Shasta daisies--I should prune them back hard next spring to see if I can get denser blooms. The hydrangea's flowers turning rusty pink make a nice contrast with the foliage.
 |
| Shasta daisies |
 |
| No ID hydrangea |
 |
| Blanket Flower (Gaillardia 'Arizona Sunset') still blooming |
Though not a flower, I bought this gorgeous ornamental cabbage at Oak Spring Garden's Rokeby Festival a couple of weeks ago with an eye towards turning it into a painting or colored pencil drawing--the colors are so fabulous! Ditto for the large Turk's Turban pumpkin sitting on my work table (our dining table) behind my drawing board. I wonder how I could combine them for one painting? Nah, that might be too much--each one is a worthy subject on its own.
I need to get started on them right away, specially the pumpkin, it won't hold its color for too long. But I'm torn between working in my garden or painting, both need so much attention!
 |
| Ornamental cabbage |
 |
| Turk's Turban pumpkin |
That's about it for today, thanks for dropping by!
