It's the advent of autumn in Wisconsin. The gardens require only an occasional once over weeding and keeping the grass mowed as there is a certain 'looseness' that goes with the fall. Since leaves are coloring up, browning, and falling, much less is required of the gardener... a bit of sloppiness actually supports the ambience of the fall gardens.
We are experiencing a true blessing right now in the form of a wonderful 24 hour rain.... it seems like forever since we've had one of these and we have passed the two inch mark. I was very concerned about watering things in for the winter, especially the conifers, and am so thankful that the Lord is providing just what we need!
The first photo is of some self seeded asters that I almost tore out this past spring... I'm glad now that I didn't... here are more photos of them...
The first of the fall trees to color up is the neighbor's sugar maple. I hope this is an indication of the kind of color that will fill the gardens this year as it is the best it's been in several years...
Each spring I threaten to rid the gardens of the mums and yet, each fall I think about dividing them into many more plants... it has become a ritual of the mind as I forget just how nice they are in October and how far away that seems early in the season. Here are photos of some of our blooming plants, most of the the hardy series from the University of Minnesota. Anyone having hardiness issues with mums should consider experimenting with the ones available here... http://www.faribaultgrowersinc.com/
Among the other fall blooming plants are three Heptacodium miconiodes trained to tree forms.... discovered in China, Seven Sons was introduced by E.H. Wilson, a well known plant explorer. It started gaining in popularity in the 1980's after being promoted by Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts. I enjoy this plant for its exfoliating bark with the look of crape myrtle, its lengthy fall bloom period and even more so for the period when rose colored sepals cover the tree later in the fall.
Among the other plants creating a nice fall show, are the dinner plate dahlias.... here are a couple examples. I am going to experiment with overwintering them in the basement in their large containers and removing them in the spring for division in hopes that the tubers will not dessicate as much as they normally do...
Verbena bonariensis have bloomed prolifically this season and brought in many butterflies and hummingbirds...
Certain annuals take on renewed vigor when the weather gets cool... among them are the osteospermums (Lemon Symphony pictured below) and ivy geraniums...
... the 'Big' series of fibrous begonias are wonderfully showy plants, especially if provided plenteous moisture... the excellent fruit set on Malus sargentii cultivars such as Barbara Potter pictured below is one of my favorite things in the fall gardens.
And then, of course, the Vista Bubblegun supertunias just get better and better as the season goes on! A friend has suggested a great big cherry for my 'cupcake' which I've posted a couple times previously...
And more petunia shots...
... and alyssum... working well to add a bit of fall color in the cottage garden...
... and the rockery... take care, Larry
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