Foliage is the primary focus in the garden these days, with my current favorites being the above bridal wreath (Spirea x vanhouttei) and in the photo below, oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia). Both display multiple layers of color, adding light and depth.
Beyond foliage as the main attraction, seeds bring a lot of interest to the autumn garden. The slender pods of milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) have opened and their silky parachutes are slowly teased out and borne away by the wind. I struggle to express with simple words my love of the delicate beauty of this plant. Perhaps this is where a picture truly is worth a thousand words!
In the field, maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’) has fully fluffed out and it waves gracefully in the slightest breeze. As it sinks over the hill, the late afternoon sun turns it to gold.
Looking pagoda-like, hosta (H. sieboldiana) seed heads have split open, revealing satiny, blue-black, winged samaras. When examined up close, they are quite beautiful.
Another sweet seed head is the brown fuzzy-bear of common groundsel (Ligularia dentata). A gift from a gardening friend last year, I cut it back early while this year I didn’t, so I was delighted when I saw its fat, 1″ brown tufts. I guess being a lazy gardener has its perks!
Many thanks to Gillian at Country Garden UK for hosting the 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. Feel free to join us with what is ‘looking good’ in your garden!
Eliza Waters 
Oooh, I just looove these photos!! 💖😊💖😊
Takk, Trini! 💖😊
💖 😊 💖 💖
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Eliza!!!!!
Many thanks, Mary! 🙂
The pods of milkweed are so amazing. Lovely time of year for you to absorb and enjoy. Thanks Eliza.
Thank you, Karen. Outdoor life is definitely slowing down around here. 🙂
The hydrangea colors and textures are soothing.
Thanks, Jim. It is an amazing plant. It’s fall show is simply stunning.
So beautiful Eliza, I love the milkweed! ❤
Thanks so much, Julie. I so love those fluffy seeds!
These are so ethereal, I find them at least as beautiful as flowers. I especially like the milkweed & maiden glass.
Thank you, Micheal. Milkweed is magical. Both offer movement, that must be part of why I find them so appealing.
Lovely photos Eliza. I especially love that one of the Miscanthus – can almost hear it rustling in the breeze!
Thank you, Cathy. It has been so breezy the past few days that is has been quite the feature!
So beautiful Eliza, I love all the different shades in your oak leaved Hydrangea and the seed heads you have shown us are really beautiful. There is beauty all around us , if only we open our eyes to it.
That is so true. Thank you, Pauline!
Beautiful photos, Eliza
Thank you very much, Derrick. 🙂
The milkweed seed head photograph is so beautiful Eliza, I can understand just how you feel about it. Lovely post.
Many thanks, Julie!
Such romantic pictures. I think the depth and atmosphere in your foliage pair are wonderful.
Thank you kindly!
It shows no matter what the season your garden is full of beauty Eliza.
Thank you so much!
That has got to be the most beautiful picture of milkweed I have ever seen! (Definitely worth a thousand words…) Something enchanting about the lighting, the textures…
Thank you so much, Barbara!
Love the seeds. 🙂
Thanks, Judy!
Delightful hues and textures Eliza … some amazing shots!
Your photos make me want to talk up watercolor painting again. Its been a slow burning fuse this year … which will hopefully culminate with new paints and an easel for my birthday in December.
Thanks, Val. Clearly your soul is beckoning! 🙂
Gorgeous photos, Eliza! I do not know maiden grass but wish I did after seeing your photo.
Thank you, Julie. You may know it as Miscanthus. That specimen is huge, over 20 years old. It really shines in the fall.
These are all very good Eliza. I had no idea there blues and purple leaves in the fall!
Thank you, Maria. The oak leaf is so dazzling right now. The blue is probably sky reflecting off the the leaf, which has lots of highlights. Purple is common in several plants, ash particularly comes to mind.
Wow, these are really cool shots!
Thank you so much, Michael!
Such a blessing the camera is, and the person behind it. And then there’s the magic Web. All these bring beauty back and help answer Hopkins’ pleading question,
“How to keep — is there any any, is there none such, nowhere known some, bow or brooch or braid or brace, lace, latch or catch or key to keep
Back beauty, keep it, beauty, beauty, . . . from vanishing away?”
(http://www.gerardmanleyhopkins.net/songs/106_the_leaden_echo_and_the_golden_echo.html“)
Meant to add: Thank you, camera-and-web person, Ms Eliza. Thank you for your work here.
Thank you, Albert, for the compliment and sharing the song.
I love the colours of your oak leaf Hyrangea and your seed head photos are beautiful Eliza. I agree that a picture is worth a thousand words… it would be almost impossible to describe the way your milkweed seeds disperse. One photo tells the tale.
Thank you, Gillian. Every time I walk by that oak leaf hydrangea, I am dazzled!
Colorful, magical, and full of character! Beautiful photos!
Thank you so much!
Amazing! Though he tries….November has not killed the beauty in the garden!
Thanks, Stephanie. I’m really enjoying it this year – the weather has been grand!
You are so talented Eliza, bringing beauty to all us beholders through your very keen eye!
Aw, thanks so much, Kathy. I was thinking of you, wondering when you were making your escape…;-) Is it soon?
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Thank you for reblogging, China!
Thoroughly intriguing✨🕊
Thank you, Stormie. Even though this was two years ago, things don’t look all that different out there today. 🙂
The fuzzy one looks eerily beautiful. What is it?
Could it be the milkweed floss? The seeds are all fluffy and fly away. And the miscanthus seed heads are fluffy, too. Both are fascinating to watch on a breezy day. 🙂