My second “Gardening Talk with ONG” podcast is in the books.
Tonight I interviewed Montreal’s own Allan Becker – garden designer, consultant, coach and jack of all gardening trades. I had an awesome time as I found Allan to be incredibly engaging and was fascinated by his career trajectory … not to mention the fact that he is an aspiring singer.
To listen to it, click the link below:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ongardener/2013/10/18/an-interview-with-allan-becker
While not as striking as ‘Matrona’, this Sedum has a nice dose of yellow foliage that looks great in conjunction with the mix of colors on the spent blooms:
Maybe it is a stretch, but I dig the Astilbe foliage even if the color is fleeting:
Just the slightest bit of yellowing on the blades of the Siberian irises floats my boat:
Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’ has interesting orangey foliage:
I know I’ve talked about the next plant incessantly over the past few weeks, but can you beat the fall foliage color of Amsonia?
The next three photos are all from the same plant. Check out the difference in color:
Frickin awesome, huh?
Even Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ has great color right now:
And finally, the beauty of a dying Lady’s Mantle as it … OK, fine, it’s kind of ugly:
But is it really? The cycle of a perennial is always fascinating, even as it dies back in Fall. A time to kick back and accept the impending weather, knowing it will all start over again in a few short months.
John
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| Sneezeweed ‘Short ‘n’ Sassy’ |
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| Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ |
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| Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ |
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| My last surviving Dahlia bloom |
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| What is left of the Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ blooms |
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| Physostegia ‘Vivid’ |
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| Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’ |
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| Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’ |
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| Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ |
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| Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’ |
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| Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame Grass) |
Yes, I did it.
A podcast … about gardening.
Click on the link below … and listen … if you dare
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| Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ |
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| Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ |
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| Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’ |
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| Grass on grass action – Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ and Miscanthus purpurascens |
The shrub shape has been good for me and the bright green and lustrous leaves make this one look good from afar:
The seed capsules look good, post bloom period:
And fairly decent (don’t believe some of the hype), autumnal color:
Besides the somewhat underwhelming fall color, the only other possible negative is that this shrub is late to leaf out in spring. One would be wise not to place this shrub in too prominent of a location if one isn’t OK with the lack of green in spring.
Beyond that, count me as a huge fan of Clethra Ruby Spice.
What has your experience been like? Please, do tell.
I took this one pic and then headed in for dinner with the plan of taking some additional photos before nightfall took over.
Well that never happened …
For dinner, my wife put together a mammoth burrito for me – chicken, black beans loaded with lime juice, avocado and tomatillo salsa. Good friggin stuff. I then picked out a beer to go with it – a 750 ml (with cork) Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA. It was a trip to gastronomical and hops heaven.
Because we are enjoying warm temps for October (upper 80’s today), we were able to dine al fresco. Just my wife and I enjoying the outdoors … and a dog barking incessantly and two kids determined to break the Guinness Book of Records for annoying behavior. The more I ate, and drank however, the more I was able to tune the distractions out and simply enjoy the great outdoors.
After crushing my dinner and my fantastic brew, I felt a jolt of energy … a jolt of gardening energy. I had a pile of mulch and a pile of cardboard that has been sitting idly for weeks now, just begging to be used and tonight was the the night to finally do it. I helped clean up dinner (because I’m thoughtful like that) and headed out into the darkness ready to complete the task at hand.
It’s been a while since I “gardened” slightly inebriated and I have to tell you, it was hella fun. I literally sprinted from the pile of cardboard to the spot in the garden where it would be laid down and then back to the mulch where I then ran with the mulch filled wheelbarrow to my ultimate destination. I could barely see a thing in the darkness but I was having so much fun.
By the time I was done, I was covered in sweat and mulch and smelled like a brewery. But I was able to complete a task I’ve been ignoring for weeks now. I even planted three Itea ‘Merlot’ shrubs I “stole” from Lowe’s for only $3.99. The sense of accomplishment is unbelievable as I now sit here, showered and smelling like a rose. And I have a new found appreciation for IPA’s and gardening. I’m thinking we have a new blog idea here …
John
My entire property is blanketed by wild Goldenrod (just ask my allergy-filled wife) and they look fantastic along with the yellowing leaves on the trees:
At the back of the property, the coloring looks like rainbow sherbet and I have to admit I have no idea what is decaying perennials are providing such phenomenal color:
I love Amsonia and its phases of Fall color that start in late Summer and continue into October:
Incredible leaf color on the Hypericum ‘Albury Purple’ right now:
The Panicum (Switch grasses) are fading now but still look so damn good:
Sick of me displaying pics of Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame grass) yet?
The fading blooms of Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’ are almost better now than when they are in their “prime”:
