Category Archives: Fall color
Even though we are expected to see 80 degree temps this weekend, make no mistake, autumn has arrived. All I want to do is eat apples, juggle pumpkins and put on a hoodie. Yes, I’m embracing the season and have moved on from the summer. A few photos for you:
I’m still trying to determine why this maple tree is called ‘October Glory’:
The River Birch trees are ready to step up to the big leagues now that it is getting cooler. The yellow foliage is the appetizer with the peeling winter bark one mutha of an entree:
Amsonia and Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ are quite the dynamic duo, eh?
Have a great one!
John
- Dedicate some serious time the next few weeks to planting a TON of bulbs. Admittedly, I’m tiring out and losing a little juice when it comes to garden work but I will not live through another spring of “bulb envy/regret”. I have a lot of space to fill on my two acre property so we’re talking mass plantings. I am a huge fan of white daffodils and can plant them fearlessly knowing the deer will leave them alone:
- Now is the time to pull out and destroy those plants that have officially been deemed “poor performers”. If I wait until spring, I’ll be suckered in by their lush new growth and will give them yet another chance. Time to cut my losses and move the ‘f on:
 |
| Geranium ‘Brookside’ |
 |
| Chelone glabra |
 |
| Phlox ‘David’ |
- I must finish digging out the two new garden beds I’ve started AND mulch them before winter. Too often I’ve stopped and let a new bed go unfinished into winter/early spring and the weeds explode, I get frustrated and pretend that bed is not there (or at least hide it from the camera).
- Start thinking more “gardening outwards”. It has been a challenge battling the poor draining soil, little to no shade and the herds of deer, but it is now time to plant further away from the house. I have an opportunity to incorporate the wooded area at the back of my property and dammit it is time to shit or get off the pot:
- Enjoy the time with my 9 year old son who wants to toss the football around day and night. This will not last forever so cherish these times. And also cherish the fact that he can wear a New Orleans Saints helmet with an Oakland Raiders jersey:
John
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Fall
Fall who?
Um … it’s not a joke, Fall is officially upon us.
Before I get to the photos, check out The Fall Color Project. At this site, there will be a collection of awesome Fall foliage photos from all over the blogosphere. Check it out already!
Crabapple ‘Prairie Fire’
Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ (named after it’s Fall color)
Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia Tabernaemontana) moving towards it’s outstanding yellow Fall color
Northern Sea Oats with it’s “oats” changing to it’s Fall/Winter color
Viburnum Plicatum ‘Shoshoni’
Yes … weeds running rampant … but can’t deny the color works this time of year
Sedum ‘Matrona’
Viburnum Carlesii ‘Aurora’
Last night I watched an episode of Ghost Hunters recently filmed at the Philadelphia Zoo. If you read my last post, you know that we were there this past weekend. In the episode, the “hunters” clearly discovered signs of paranormal activity in numerous buildings and in the awesomely terrifying underground tunnels. There were hushed voices, sounds of the waltz (no lie) and bangs that sent shivers down my spine and forced me to curl up in the fetal position.
What is the purpose of this story? After watching the show last night I was convinced I was hearing hushed voices outside early this morning so I got my paranormal equipment out and set out to seek the truth. Turns out, the noises were the result of a ton of trash talking between Summer and Autumn. It’s that time of year when Summer tries to hold on to what it’s still got and Autumn tries to force it’s way in with reckless abandon. It got pretty heated and a bit off color. It was like a tennis match with one touting one of their plants and the other returning serve by touting one of their own. I managed to record their back and forth and will present this in photo form to you now:
Summer – Russian Sage still blooming away and drawing bees like mad
Autumn – the Russian Sage will dry up soon and Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’ will be the shit
Summer – Spirea ‘Anthony Waterer’ and Rudbeckia Goldsturm keep on keepin on
Autumn – the flowers look weak, it’s all about the changing foliage now, like this Viburnum
Summer – the Helenium blooms don’t look like they care that it’s September
Autumn – did I mention the people want changing foliage already? Like with this Itea
Summer – I’ll keep firing away with long lasting blooms, like with Phlox ‘David’
Autumn – and I’ll see your blooms and once again, raise you with more foliage change from this Geranium
Summer – can you offer something as beautiful as this Daylily bloom? Can you punk?
Autumn – Yawn … my faded blooms look better as we transition to the cooler weather
I scored it a draw and must admit Autumn comes off a bit pompous and entitled. What do you think?
