New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) after the rain
I’m joining Gillian at Country Garden UK in her weekly meme Looking Good. She asks us to showcase highlights in our garden each week and link back to her site. Pop on over to see what’s special in gardener’s plots around the globe.
Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
After an unusually mild September, leaves are starting to turn in earnest with the advent of cooler weather. Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) really shines at this time of year. I love the contrasting colors of green ribs with red-orange margins.
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Two years ago we planted a native sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) in our backyard to replace our Baldwin apple tree that succumbed to fireblight. As it is close to the house, for the past 25 years we’ve hung our bird feeders on the Baldwin every winter (robins and waxwings would eat the frozen apples, sometimes becoming a bit tipsy from the fermented fruit) and it’s still favored as a perch by hummingbirds in summer. I refuse to cut it down until its replacement is big enough to handle bird feeders, so it might be a while! Folks may think I’m nuts to leave a dead tree in plain sight, but I say, “This tree is for the birds!” or “It is a lichen-encrusted sculpture.” In the meantime, the sourwood’s fall foliage is gorgeous.
Peony foliage (Paeonia lactiflora)
Also of note this week, the peony foliage is turning purplish-burgundy. It seems not too long ago that they were blooming and I was filling vases with their sumptuous blossoms. Where does the time go?
Butterflyweed pods (Asclepias tuberosa)
Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolum)
Pods of butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are tinged with burgundy, but as yet show no sign of opening. I want to sow the seeds into the field before the wind carries them away. Asters, visited by pollinators, continue to dazzle all around the property.
Annual nasturtiums, calendulas and zinnias are still going strong, but I expect they will get sluggish now that the temperatures are in the 40s and 50s F (4-10 C). Amazingly, long-range forecasts show no sign of frost. When I was younger, the first frost date used to be in late September. Last year, it was October 22. Who knows what’ll it be this year? I’ll just plan on enjoying the garden as long as I can.
Nasturtium
Zinnia ‘Yellow Profusion’ with Silvermound Artemisia
Zinnia ‘Salmon Profusion’ and Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
