20 October 2011

The closing down of planting season...almost!

Hard to believe we're into the latter part of October already, isn't it? The days are so much shorter now, and of course windy, often rainy, and sometimes even cold-ish. When it's not raining, blowing, or cold, there's plenty to do in the garden. My planting bench may be finally cleared of things to actually plant (except for bulbs, which I haven't started yet)...
But there's still a surprising amount of bloom in the garden. This fall monkshood variety is aptly called 'Cloudy', and although it's late to bloom, I think it's my favourite aconitum.
There are also all kinds of interesting seed heads to admire, if you're into seed heads like I am. Here we have telekia in the foreground (something similar to Inula), with the teasels and Miscanthus 'Malepartus' towering in the background. I leave most seed head stalks stand for bird food and for winter interest, or interest-as-long-as-they-stand-the-wind.
Still have several varieties of tricyrtis (toad lilies) in bloom in our garden, though the foliage is definitely looking moth-eaten (actually, probably leaf-cutter bee eaten, plus wind whipped.). This one, I think, is 'Empress'.
This is a great time of year for the warm-season grasses that flower in late summer and autumn. Many of the pennesetums aren't hardy here, but I think this one is. 'Hameln' and 'Karley Rose' certainly are, and hopefully 'Red Head'. This, I think is a species, unnamed.
Lots of bright red berries festooning shrubs around our garden now, even though much foliage is still holding on as well. The common burning bush is a cheery plant, and while it's invasive in some areas, I've never seen so much as a seedling from mine.
The same with its relative, the amur cork tree, which has even more interesting seed heads.
This common green barberry becomes electric with foliage colour as fall progresses, but for now it's extremely heavy-laden with fruit. Birds eat the berries on the outer branches, but they don't try to get too deeply into the shrub.
Meteorologist Cindy Day remarked on CTV Atlantic the other night that heavily-laden mountain ash trees means a hard winter in weather folklore. I don't know whether that pertains to high bush cranberry but this tree is well-laden with fruit for now--til the birds clean it off. The mountain ashes ARE really laden with berries too, but I don't have any right in the garden, just in the wilder areas of the property.
I planted a grapevine maybe 7-8 years ago, long enough ago that I don't know what variety it is. I don't tend it other than to prune it some in the spring, and string some support for it. This year it has a lot of grapes, enough that I'm tempted to make jelly out of them. If the birds don't get them before it stops raining around here.
The berries of Hypericum 'Albury Purple' start out red and turn to purple-black as they ripen. These sorts of berries are often popular in flower arrangements, although not this hypericum in particular as it's low-growing with short twigs. It's going to be carefully mulched as cold weather comes on, because it's a bit marginal for our garden. I'm getting buddleias (butterfly bush) to come through the winter now, though, so I love a challenge.
The native witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is in bloom in woods and gardens now. Mine has lost many of its leaves in the gales of wind, which makes those dainty, spidery flowers easier to see. Often you can smell witch hazels before you can notice them, because the blossoms have a light, pleasantly spicy scent.
Also native, winterberry or Canada Holly (Ilex verticillata) needs both males and female plants in order to produce berries. It took me a couple of years to sort out which of my shrubs were male and which female, and then I had to plant another male and a female so as to have good berry production in different parts of the garden.
More blooms still coming on the 'Purple Bowl' ironweed (Vernonia crinata). This is a beautiful variety, with flower heads that do cluster in a bowl-like shape. The bees certainly appreciate it, and so do I.
Many people have problems with Physostegia, the so called obedient plant, being disobedient. It's actually called by that common name because you can move the florets around on the flower spike and they will stay put, but the plant itself often has roaming tendencies. I have the variegated form, and it's never been disobedient, growing quietly in its part of the garden, its clean green and white foliage nicely attractive. Then in September, it starts producing flowers, and keeps on flowering for another couple of weeks yet.

Next week calls for fairer weather, so I should be able to get some weeding, thinning, and cleanup done in the garden before I start with bulbs. What about you--are you finished planting for this year, or just getting into the next phase of 4-season gardening?

14 comments:

  1. Jodi:
    There is indeed something to be said when you can see the potting bench. Weather here has been windy, rainy and on the colder side as well. I too stare at a paper bag filled with bulbs awaiting my diligence, but alas, the order from Thimble Farms in BC arrived today, so it takes precidence. Hardy new additions in the garden, the more tender hearted ones inside where I can keep an eye on them. Truthfully though, I think I am finally finished, excepting putting away the various garden adornments.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jodi, I have 300+ bulbs coming and still a ton of work to do in the garden. Not the least of which is somehow righting the felled rose arbor and Rosa 'New Dawn' currently sprawling completely across the Microgarden. The big winds finally did it. Creative minds will be put in gear to squeeze another year or so out of the arbor... if possible. Happy autumn. Love seeing all the things you have going.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am like you, I love those seed heads. Berries too. I noticed all the mountain ash and high bush cranberries are really full with berries this year. I think it has to do with our wet spring then very dry summer. Seems they are reacting o the environmental stresses of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. There's still so many delightful flowers to be seen around your garden. I rather like your Physostegia, Veronice and Monkshood, all of which are unfamiliar sights in my corner of the world. Your Toad Lily is gorgeous. I'm lucky enough to have one of those in my garden as well, but it's not blooming at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am new to your lovely blog - found you by way of Sharon Lovejoy's...

    Our gardens are finished and most areas have been put to sleep. The potting shed is about to be closed up as most everything is stored away in its proper place.Your potting bench is such a cheery color:o)

    Could you tell me how cold your winter's are - I would love to try introducing witch hazel again to our property but my first effort ended in failure. We live in Northern Wisconsin - winters can be 25 below...

    Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the Burning Bush and Barberry, too. They don't seem invasive here, either. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous! So much blooming in late October!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jodi, your gardens are lovely. I know that coz I visited your open garden in the summer.

    I'm a keen but chaotic gardener. Barely know the English names of things, let alone the Latin name. :-)

    If the ground is not frozen, I can still be found out there digging. And if I'm not digging, I'm thinking about next year's garden.

    Love your Blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jodi: I'd love to have a potting bench, and I have a place chosen, so many thanks for the photo of yours. (I'm still collecting design ideas, so any suggestions would be most welcomed!) May I ask what purpose the cutout rectangle or square serves in the top right?

    I am so enjoying the colours in your garden. Thanks for the lovely pics.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jodi, it is hard to believe we hava had snow before you. It is melting fast but there is still some on the ground. Lots of broken branches outside to prune. Love your monkshood.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your late to bloom fall monkshood 'Cloudy', Jodi. All looks autumn grand! Happy November :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Like your potting bench. Mine is a sad (but useful) work of left over wood from previous projects. Will have to build one like this when the budget allows.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jodi, I'm glad I didn't miss this post! Your potting bench really stands out against the fall garden colors! I love all the berry producing plants that you have. Early this year I planted three winterberry shrubs, one male and two female according to the labels, but none of them produced berries. i wonder if they need to mature longer before setting fruit?

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to comment! It might take me a bit, but I will return the compliment whenever possible.
Spammers--need not apply. Because I delete your comments and they will never make it here. Kthxbai!

Search Bloomingwriter

Custom Search