Fall Is In The Air

It is hard to believe that we actually might be in for some cooler weather, an overheated and drought filled summer will finally be over.

Panicum Northwind is filled with seed heads.

I have already planted my front planters for the fall.  I am using many perennials this year that will go into the garden in November, very good luck doing this with the sedums.

I kept the Dichondra added some perennials like Sedum Bedazzled and Sedum Matrona, along with Ruby Perfection Cabbage and the annual flame grass. 

The mums are getting ready and according to the nursery have been delayed this year because of the heat.  They need cool weather to bloom, so here's hoping that the next few weeks are cooler.

The coleus I will leave until the frost comes, looks so good in a fall garden.

I am not adverse to replacing some of those little mums that are blooming now since they were only 88 cents at Home Depot and there are early, middle and late blooming varieties.

Autumn Fire is not supposed to flop and it is totally upright in the alley garden.  I think these had too much water from the sprinkler system.

Ramona is a Type II clematis that I cut down after blooming, rewarding me with another bloom cycle.

Comtesse de Bouchard was a new one on the north side that just fried in the heat, so I cut it down and now it is reblooming.

Gerald Darby is a great iris even without blooms.  It is purple in the spring with bright green arching leaves later in the summer.  I have it against my Ninebarks on the north front side of my home.

Right now I am not liking the cordyline that I moved from the front to the back planters.  I think they lost too much of their root system to survive, but we will see.

The cordyline didn't make it so I put in a Kale in the background that is supposed to get about three feet high.  I bought new containers on sale at a local nursery, very deep, so I hope I will not have the watering problem I had this year.

Miscanthus Little Kitten is getting ready to show its plumes.

 

Panicum Ruby Ribbons

 

Pennesitum Piglet

 

Amsonia Northwind Select is getting ready to put on its gold autumn show.

 

I replaced my Helianthus Lemon Queen with Weigela Summer Wine.

 

I was given Anemone Robustissima Pink at the Midwest Groundcovers Workshop last fall and it is going to bloom beautifully this fall.

 



 Chelone Hot Lips

 

 

Unique Hydrangea was not as large this year and less blooms but the blooms it has are very large.

 

Hydrangea Limelight had the same problems this year, more floppiness, less bloom and very large flowers.

This is definitely a coleus I would plant again.  Trusty Rusty is a heat lover!  Don't trim your boxwood now.  In zone 5 and colder any new growth will freeze and turn brown.

This is Home Run Rose Pink, just about full grown from my small four inch pots that I trialed for Proven Winners Choice last year.  They were just about devoid of Japanese Beetles and I am going to let them produce rose hips this year.  As you can see they continue to produce flowers along with rose hips.

The Mariachi Peppers love the heat and I have made a few batches of them already this season.

I wasn't too thrilled with the Sunpatiens earlier this year, but I found they are top performers out of the pot and in the garden with just a little shade.

The Nasturtiums have just gone crazy.  I may have to pull them in order to let the peppers and parsely survive.

 

I always say that I am not going to buy too many mums, but I just can't resist once they come into the nurseries.  Cabbages, Kale, , I know there is a genetic difference, but who cares, they look great this time of year and they actually take the heat.

A Tale Of Four Gardens - Part Two

GARDEN THREE

This garden is not just big but a huge property for a suburban area.  It is approximately two acres comprising woods, an inground pool area, patio, and expanses of lawn and border gardens.

Rudbeckia greets us as we pull up in the large circular driveway.

 

This is a very tall hot pink zinnia without an identification.  They were planted in the spring from a flat purchased at a local nursery.  I must look for this one next year!

 

This is the entrance to the woodland garden with many intersecting paths of flagstone.

 

This garden was developed over a period of thirty-five years. 

 

There are watering stations set up in the woods where a hose can be attached.  Even with the ability to water there were some trees and shrubs lost to the heat this summer.

 

Joe Pye Weed at the edge of the formal garden area

 

Beyond the woodland the landscape becomes more formal with a pool, large lawn area and perennial borders.

 

The Rudbeckias are everywhere on this property, just being pulled out where they are not welcome.

 

GARDEN FOUR

 

The last garden is on a smaller property with a wooded setback and an enticing stroll leading up to the back of the house.

 

Even the common hosta has survived the heat under this towering pine.

 

Such graceful branches

 

These steps lead to the home's front door.  We are still on the path to the back garden.

 

 

 

The path and plantings create an anticipation of what's to come.

 

The deck is built around a wonderful pond with lush landscaping.

 

The pond area is very intimate and closed in, however, there is an expanse of lawn behind the landscaping.

 

The plastic lines are to keep large birds from fishing.

 

 

Cotoneaster

The variety was not identified, but this is one of many shrubs and grasses around the pond area.

 

Daphne

The owner mentioned that this can be a difficult plant to grow but it is sure happy around this pond.

 

No matter how large or how small each of these gardens creates an atmosphere and a feeling.  I love ponds, so I guess you know which one is my favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Tale Of Four Gardens - Part One

GARDEN ONE

It was one of the cooler days we have had this summer when we decided to go on a garden walk sponsored by our local hospital's Wellness House.  By cooler, I mean in the low 80's in August, what could possibly be left to see after the heat we have experienced this summer?

The first garden is on a large property and divided into several outdoor rooms.

This pathway really displays the importance of a focal point and directing your eyes not only forward but from side to side.

Boxwood is used extensively in this garden to create the rooms within one very large garden.

Containers are placed throughout the borders with pedestals and statuary.

Sedum is used as a groundcover in this topiary container.

 

The use of seating in a garden is important in that it is a welcome to come and relax and enjoy.

A clear glass dining table with basket weave iron chairs, great small plantings and decor on table

Structures can be purposeful but also add interest in the fall and winter garden.

The birdhouses are permanent structures in the garden.

The header is a photo of one area in this garden.

GARDEN TWO

The next garden is a very small one, deep but narrow.  It is just as interesting what you can do in a small space.

Every inch of space is used in this garden.

 

This is one of the best specimens of a climbing hydrangea that I have ever seen trained along the wall that runs along the back garden.

 

It is beginning to look very Williamsburg to me!

 

A grass and stone patio, difficult to keep green this summer.

 

Interesting use of the double boxwood hedge as a frame for the tuteur and containers

 

The hydrangeas are supported by the limbed up multi-stemmed tree and by other plantings in front of them like azaleas and large hostas.

 

Even a seating area has been tucked into the back of this colorful border.

 

Again, boxwood is used extensively in this small garden, doing well containing the plantings in the border.

 

The garden shed is not only beautiful but keeps the tools for this wonderful garden.

 

 

Even as you approach or leave the back garden the garage tells you that it is a gardener who lives here!