The gloriously scarlet sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) peaked this week. I’m delighted with this new tree and am excited to think how it will only improve with age.
From where I presently sit, what I see outside is the above pictured golden-leaved, black birch (Betula nigra). It is breezy today, so from time to time, showers of leaves drift past the window. Simply spellbinding.
The out-of-season lettuce-leaved poppy (Papaver somniferum) that I mentioned last week has bloomed amid much fanfare. The papery, mauve-pink blossoms are delicately beautiful, and due to the cooler weather, they last two days as opposed to the usual one we get in July.
We had a light frost last night that luckily passed this one by. There are several more buds left to enjoy over the coming week.
October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii aka Hylotelephium sieboldii) continues to please both me and the bees.
Several June bloomers have returned for a last hurrah, although not as prolifically. Striped cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum var. striatum) and forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) have sent up a few hopeful flowers.
Blue Sage (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black & Blue’) is showing well against the silver artemisia (A. ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’) and I love the geometric swirls of Sempervivum that are tucked into corners of the stone wall.
I’m linking up with Gillian at Country Garden UK in her weekly meme Looking Good Friday (link for guidelines). We showcase highlights in our gardens each week and link back to her site. Pop on over to see what’s special in other gardener’s plots around the globe.
Eliza Waters 
Fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing1
Thank you so much!
You are very welcome “-)
Love those last hurrahs!! Makes them even more special. Beautifully captured Eliza 💛
Thanks, Val. It does make us more appreciative, doesn’t it? 🙂
It’s quite a treat to read all the knowledge you share as you showcase your garden. It makes me think of how much my spouse appreciates classical music & jazz due to her years of studying the violin.
The difference between a fan and a connoisseur.
Thank you for that lovely compliment! ❤
Gorgeous garden!
Thank you, Cindy!
Fantastic!
Thank you so much!
What a lovely garden, Eliza! Very pretty last hurrahs. 🙂
Many thanks to the Fab Four. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
So nice to have such great colours in October. Love the blue sage colour in particular:)
Isn’t that sage wonderful? – it really shines once the summer wanes. I should plant more of it!
Thank you for showing us the poppy that didn’t realize summer was over. BEAUTIFUL!!
Hi Deb! Glad you liked it. Many thanks! 🙂
What a lesson in perseverance. These guys just keep on giving & giving. And that poppy….whew! Love it!
Thanks, they teach us such lessons, don’t they? Like Churchill said, “Never, never, never give up!” 🙂
🙂
So beautiful.
Thank you, Gigi. 🙂
It took me two greenhouses, but I picked up two Sedum Sieboldii yesterday and will plant them this morning. 🙂 Dropping to 30 Sunday night. 🙂
Awesome, you’ll love these sweet plants. Give them room to sprawl (18″) to enjoy the pinwheel effect. Yes, frost is on its way, with winter on its heels. 😦
These colors are so beautiful! I don’t know which picture I like more. 🙂
Thank you, Ana. Have a great weekend!
Thank you – you too! 🙂
Love those valiant flowers that bloom even as Jack Frost threatens to strike.
Pure love! 🙂
As always, your photos and write-ups are wonderful!
Thank you, Dor!
Beautiful images Eliza, I adore those sweet forget-me-nots. ❤
Thank you, Julie. They are always cheerful no matter when they bloom!
Wow, it’s amazing how much is still bloomimg! Beautiful!
Thank you, Mary! ❤
Looks like a mix of summer and autumn. Beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you, Ann. We really are on the cusp, but with the frost predicted this weekend, the last of the tender flowers will be gone. I will miss them!
Me too Eliza.
The sourwood really is beautiful – I definitely need to get one!
What plant zone are you? They’re zone 5 or 4 with protection. We got ours in the fall two years ago. Fall is a good time to plant so long as you leave 6 wks before the ground freezes solid.
We are Zone 4/5 – pretty near the border. I am not sure we’ll have 6 weeks (just depends on the year!).
Each time I see the bees out in the cool weather, I wish them well, hoping they get the last best of all the flowers. Beautiful photos.
Thank you, Lisa. I’ve seen bumblebees out in November, working in slow motion in the cold weather, determined until the last!
What a lot of colour you have still. That opium poppy is pretty amazing. How big will your lovely sourwood grow? (I love the birch too, with its same contrasts as my black walnut!)
Sourwood grows to about 9-10 meters tall. Yes, I love the dark wood against the yellow – so pretty!
Lovely post recording your garden’s autumn state. Love the show of colour in the tree leaves and your phrase of “spell-binding … drift of leaves”. I imagine the magic carpet as the leaves collect from the spin-drift. It’s a treat to be able to ‘pop over’ virtually to see the seasonal happenings in your garden, and I appreciate your reference to learning of our respective country’s vegetation. Love this north-south hemisphere balance 🙂
It comforts me to know that it is spring somewhere on the planet – the balance feels so right!
I don’t think we get Daphne here. Striped cranesbill and forget-me-nots are also not in the tropics. Delightful post! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Maria. Yes, we’re in very opposite plant zones, for sure!
Your trees are showing off their autumn colors and a your wonderful fowers give us all a glimpse of summers glory. Thanks for the view.
Thank you for stopping by, Carole!
Amazing. Have a lovely weekend Eliza. And thank you. 🙂
Thank You, Nomzi! Blessings!
Thank you Eliza. 🙂
Gorgeous, Eliza! (((HUGS))) Amy ❤
Thank you, Amy! ❤
I really like the way Birch leaves are caught on the wind too, they are the most gentle of tree leaves. I had not heard Sedum sieboldii called October Daphne before and looked that up, thinking it was something said where you are, but its known as that over here too. My mum gave me a cutting of this plant a couple of weeks ago, I shall look forward to the flowers next year, they really are very pretty.
What a coincidence! I’m sure you will love it.
WOW! You have quite a garden!
Thank you, Denise!
Such wonderful color and texture!
Thank you, Kathy!