“In the garden, autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.” ~Rose G. Kingsley
When you have weather like we have had this fall, autumn is indeed the crowning glory of the year. By the end of October, the leaves were ripped from the trees by the remnants of tropical storm Patricia. But the amazing foliage on the bushes, the few flowers still found, and the changing leaves on perennials still amaze as November starts.
The above picture is how the garden looked when I returned from Denver on the 20th. We had 2 frosts and wet snow, but the garden soldiered on. Then another frost last week still did not deter my garden. it wasn’t until the fourth frost on Halloween that most flowers faded. Of course the 10 inches of rain also put a damper on the garden a bit, but I think it actually insulated and nurtured it more.
I highlighted the Veg Garden last week, but I wanted to update and say I did get the garlic planted at the end of October….about 150 cloves including cloves from scapes missed this year and last year.
I am linking in with Helen@The Patient Gardener’s Weblog for her End of Month View as I review a bit of the glories of October’s garden.
Weather
I wanted to show off the spectacular sunrises that came with the colder mornings. They were made even more spectacular with the patchy clouds we saw more and more of as autumn settled in. I am wondering when our first measurable snow will be (hoping not until Christmas). The killing frost is usually around the middle of October (came instead 2 weeks later), and measurable snow in mid-November. But the forecast is for a warmer winter, and November is starting off unseasonably warm with temps in the 60s. Will it continue? I hope so!
Garden Views
The sun is lower in the sky, and doesn’t last long in certain parts of the back garden that is more in shadow now. But I loved how it glowed in late afternoon here near The Arch Garden. I thought I would highlight some flowers and foliage that really stood out through most of October.
Flowers
The white Colchicum were still blooming in the White Garden right up until the end of the month, despite some cold and rainy weather.
This is my late-blooming, Crocus speciosus. It does not last long if it is a cool and wet fall, but I love seeing these late in October. They make me think of crocus in spring.
Japanese anemone are long-lived in my fall garden….6-8 weeks in the shade. I keep saying I need to plant some more in my shade garden.
Monkshood is an interesting plant in my garden. I have some that blooms in summer in full sun and part sun. But this one blooms in October in the front garden. Love seeing this purple flower blooming late in the garden.
My only Toad Lily continues to bloom late in October in The Arch Garden. The others I planted are long gone, but I love seeing this unusual plant every fall.
Yes these are the petunias I planted in late spring in my antique containers on the front porch. They continue to bloom right through the end of October despite the cold and freezing weather. Wow!
And my favorite late plant is the ‘Chocolate Joe Pye’ or Eupatorium rugosum. I love white flowers against the dark chocolate stems and dark green leaves. I keep saying I need to add some to The White Garden. Perhaps next year. This plant remains a small clump in The Side Garden. Unlike other Joe Pye, this one does not spread itself around the garden, and is rather well behaved.
Foliage
This Miscanthus grass is slowly taking over on the side of the patio, and will need to be cut back and part of it removed. But I love this grass in fall as it changes color until it becomes a copper-colored papery grass contrasting against the greens or the white of snow.
Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ shines in The White Garden although it rarely flowers as it is shaded by the gazebo. But in the fall, it blazes red in the shade and sun.
Lots of foliage turning orange, red and yellow, especially on shrubs. Here in October, I look forward to (starting top left): Sanguisorba officinalis, Blue Muffin® – Arrowwood Viburnum, unnamed peony and Hydrangea quercifolia. The center photo is a different unnamed peony. I love to see the different foliage on each of the peonies in fall.
Critters
We closed the pond, and removed the pump last week so now the waterfall is off , and the pond is still. Before the last frost, the frogs were still pretty active. These are the two green frogs who have been a couple all summer. I have many photos of them canoodling….they are so cute. After the last couple of frosts though, the frogs decided it was time to hibernate, so goodbye little froggies. See you in spring.
There were still pollinators through the end of October although they were very slow….mostly bees and flies. I did see many dragonflies through the third week in October.
And the Juncos returned in late October. I will have a wildlife post on my other blog on Thursday. A new visitor to the pond in late summer will be featured so stop by, Living from Happiness, for this Thursday.
I am sharing all our critters with Saturday’s Critters hosted by Eileen@Viewing nature with Eileen that happens every Saturday.
So there you have the highlights of my garden in October. What was a favorite highlight in your October garden?
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In A Vase On Monday
With so many flowers still blooming at the end of October, I decided to pick them and showcase these amazing blooms in several vases.
Yes, these are the only dahlias that finally started blooming the third week in October.
I placed them in a crystal vase with roses, cosmos, toad lily, and included some asparagus and Baptisia foliage.
Fairy roses and a surprise fragrant, reblooming climber were a wonderful highlight in the first vase.
Here are several more views of this stunning vase.
The leaves of Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’ were still lovely and green in the garden so I wanted to use them in this small vase with cosmos, red Knockout rose and the pink flowers of the Pelargoniums I brought inside. They are blooming like crazy now inside my cozy house.
I decided to give the cosmos an autumn look, so I added the cattails, toad lilies and fluffy asparagus foliage. I saw the Sanguisorba officinalis were putting out new flowers, and clipped these too giving the vase more height.
Of course the monkshood in the front garden was a must for this last vase, along with Gaillardia which I am highlighting in a post in a few weeks.
Red Knockout roses were still blooming with Lonicera sempervirens ‘John Clayton’ in the wall garden so they were included. I hope they are still going strong when I do my next Stuck Foot post in a couple of weeks. I finished this vase with foliage from Baptisia and Clethra just turning yellow. I love the autumn blooms and colors in this vase. Not sure what might be left blooming in November, but I may be surprised.
I am joining in with a few memes this week as I prepare these vases: Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In a Vase on Monday, Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles and Judith@Lavender Cottage who hosts Mosaic Monday.
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Next up on the blog:
Monday, I will be wrapping up the Linden tree I have been following this year.
I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her new blog just for Nature Notes. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday.
I am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.
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Your garden looks very colourful and pretty and plants are amazingly upright after the snow. I used to live in a region where we’d get early snow and didn’t appreciate it one bit as it turned the garden into a mess. You still have some nice flowers and I love the frogs! We have lots of them too, adorable creatures 🙂
Luckily the snow did not stick which helped the plants to keep going….the warm weather has been wonderful for the garden and gardener.
Good morning, what a lovely post. So many pretty flowers. I love your gorgeous sunrise mosaic and the arch garden. The frogs are cute, I’ve been seeing some Juncos too. Great post! Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!
So glad you liked the post Eileen….the sunrise and weather has been stunning….have a wonderful Sunday!
Beautiful flowers. I like the views of those sky.
Isn’t it amazing what nature gives us each day to be grateful for.
Beautiful vases Donna. You still have some wonderful blooms in your garden. I can’t seem to keep monkshood going in my garden, but yours looks great. Have a great week.
I am so happy to see it Susie each fall in my front garden.
PS, thank you for linking up your cute bird and frog. Enjoy your day!
Love it when I can link up to your wonderful meme Eileen!
Gorgeous photos, I especially like the ones of the Toad Lily, Eupatorium and that Junco–and the opening shot? The perfect fall photo! Glad you still have so much in bloom and color.
So much has changed as most leaves are down now….but still lots of growth and some blooms lingering….October was an amazing month for the garden, flowers, and photos.
Your first picture is a beautiful autumn photo of your garden, in which you have a wide range of plants providing colour at this time of year. The petunias,I think are wonderful good value bedding plants, we have the Chocolate ‘Joe Py’ flowering now in the garden.
I love the reminder of autumn throughout the garden with so many shrubs showing off their fiery finery….and in October they are at their peak. I couldn’t agree more Brian. Petunias are just such a worthwhile annual in the garden….long-lived now into November. A new record here.
I must have missed one of your posts; I can’t believe you had snow already! Maybe Dahlias aren’t such a good idea for your garden if they flower so late; I love them because they flower from mid-July, most of mine have stopped now, I think they need feeding after producing so many flowers! Lovely post with so much included, I think I will have to come back to take it all in.
I was away when we had wet snow Christina…nothing to show and it didn’t stick so my neighbors say. But we have been warmer than usual.
The problem with some of my dahlias this year was the voles were chewing the tubers down to nothing as I discovered when I dug them up. Also the clay soil is not great for them. And it seems I chose locations that were overrun by weeds and plants because i couldn’t garden due to an injury again so they didn’t get much sun.
So I plan to put them in a new cutting garden in full sun with good soil, and earlier than I usually plant them. I have had luck years ago and many in my area have better luck because they do what I have not. So I am learning and hope to have many more dahlia blooms. Can you tell I am not giving up on them…. 🙂
Beautiful composition of the sunrise.
Thanks Gayle.
Everything looks so pretty. We have had a warm fall this year and though I have heard differently I am hoping for a mild winter.
I am also hoping for a warmer winter too.
The mosaics show off your blooms so well – they are so effective, and your soft pink vase is a delight. Like the bright second vase it seems very much a remnant of summer, belying the autumnal views you showed at the beginning of the post
The vases are such a contrast with the autumn scenes aren’t they which is why I couldn’t resist making so many!
Autumn is a good time in your garden Donna – plenty of colour and of course still some lovely blooms. The highlight of my October garden was just how many of the plants still looked great. We may of had a rotten summer this year but autumn has been impressive.
Your vases are just so eye catching. Some super colour and they must look great around the house.
Autumn is one of the best times in my garden and it seems so much better each fall. Glad you are having a good autumn Angie.
Donna, there is so much life in your gardens, between the frogs, bird, insects and all the lovely flowers and gorgeous autumn colors. Thanks for giving us a peek! -Beth
Isn’t nature wonderful Beth!
Donna, your photographs on this post just knock me out! Ironically, I have the very same big pink dahlia still in bloom, identical color and shape. Wish I knew its name… I’m struggling to avoid my husband’s flu, so have been quiet online this week. After the NYC trip, which was dynamite. Those darn airplane trips! I LOVE your opening photo, I can see why you are enchanted with that angle of your garden.
Oh that is one of the things I hate about travel…getting sick. Hope you avoid the flu and your husband is back to feeling better soon…..so glad you enjoyed the photos.
So much care and detail goes into your posts Donna, and this week is no exception! Beautiful photos, especially of the fabulous vases. How wonderful to have so much colour to bring indoors in November! You are right – your frogs are cute! And I also like that white Joe Pye. I wonder if it smells of chocolate too… 😉
I have not noticed a chocolate smell….now that would be nice. You are so sweet to say such nice things about my posts Cathy! I am enjoying the few blooms lingering well into November still.
Beautiful photos and mosaics. Like the fall-colours
Thanks so much!
Loved all of these Donna. There is always so much to focus on and thank you once again for including Today’s Flowers in with your links. Very much appreciated 🙂
My pleasure as always Denise!
I enjoyed your flower and foliage highlights, Donna (and I’m glad you didn’t float away in those heavy rains). Your fall garden is (was?) spectacular! It must be frustrating to see that beauty tarnished by the arrival of those first killing frosts, although a little rest after a vigorous spring and summer does have tremendous appeal. In our case, autumn isn’t the end of the garden season but rather than the start of a new growing season, our “second spring” – or at least it will be if Mother Nature ever turns down the heat.
It is amazing that even with a 2 inch storm, it soaks in quickly and the garden isn’t too damaged. With all the frosts, the killing frost to end all the plants is still not here. I found roses budding again…hoping the killing frost stays at bay until the roses all bloom again….hoping your heat is gone soon.
Wow, gorgeous arrangements this week, Donna! So nice that there is still so much for you to choose from.
Your foliage collage is wonderful, too!
Thanks Eliza. I am adoring the long slow fall!
You are getting highly artistic with your photographic compositions…especially that one with the sunsets…a real treat!
Thank you! You are too kind ricki.
Chocolate Joe Pye (edible?), the monkshood and some bronze leaves – would love to come and harvest a vase full in your garden (before the frost!)
Sadly not edible…I wish you could stop by and harvest some plants Diana….and I would love to stop by and visit your garden often too!
I have seen your vases late at night, at the end of a difficult day – such a relief, thank you, Donna!
Oh that is such a wonderful thing to hear Anca! Glad I could bring some delight into your day.
Donna, you have so many beautiful flowers right now! Do you know the name of the pink anemone? And I absolutely love your pink tricyrtis, I have some pink ones on my wish-list for next year, the three tricyrtis I have are more blue/purple. Your vases are so beautiful, very nicely composed 🙂
Helene I believe the anemone is ‘Prinz Heinrich’. So wonderful that you enjoyed the post and vases!
What beautiful flowers, foliage, birds. I especially like the toad lily. Garlic – one day I will learn how to grow garlic (without thinking I grew weeds).
I have it down to a science now Leora….I started slow and now planted 150 cloves….I find it one of the easiest things to plant…maybe I could do a how to post next year.
Oh my goodness, your photos and fantastic mosaics are just stunning! Such a wonderful collection of photos! The first one that took my eye was that mosaic of the sunset sky…WOW!
Thanks Debby…what a lovely comment…big hugs!
This is such a beautiful posting, Donna. Who would have thought you’d have so much to show this late in the season. My garden is completely DONE. P. x
Oh I am sorry to hear that Pam….luckily it helps me to get my chores done and slowly. I have at least 4 more days worth of work.
Your sunset mosaic is so pretty, Donna! And I love your froggie couple, what fun to watch. You found so many flowers, I’ve been noticing how many fall pinks there are, the first vase is so integrated in color. The last vase with the deep blue-purple is so vibrant, I love the rich colors together! And the tubular cosmos look so pretty with the cattails, little Sanguisorba balls, and ferny asparagus. I hope some of your flowers will keep on blooming, and the snow will hold off.
Thanks Hannah…I am still keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m still loving your petunias. Wow!
Still going Mama Zen. Isn’t that just amazing.
Ah Donna, the shutting down of the garden, it takes me a while to get into a routine again. I am very impressed with your pictures with the insets. My highlight came at the very end of the month, an absolutely amazing Skimmia unlike any I have seen before, I am going to highlight it in my next post its called, aw I wasn’t going to say, but what the heck (Skimmia Pabella) Oh my, what am I doing,, excited by a plant, get a life Alistair!!
Oh Alistair these plants are our life…so I love seeing your excitement! 🙂
Here we still wait for a hard frost. Today is 70 degrees. I must say, I wouldn’t mind a mild winter. I love the photo of those frogs.
We had a week of 70s but that is ending back to the 50s…..and not a hard frost here either…just a series of light frosts slowly taking down plants.
My goodness!! I don’t know where to begin.
It’s like a layout from Home and Garden Magazine!
Wonderful colors, beautiful blossoms and critters….all so very enjoyable.
Now that is such wonderful high praise…wow Anni…much gratitude!
Donna, every time I read about your garden, I feel so inspired. I love the autumnal look of your garden and enjoyed all the flowers that you could admire in October! November started with temperatures below zero here. This morning we had -7°C (19,4°Fahrenheit) and a white blanket created from frost and dense fog changed everything into a winter land…
Oh I am sorry to hear about the cold there…I am feeling lucky this year so I want to document it all and make memories of such a wonderful fall…not the norm. Thank you for such lovely praise Petra!
Oh, I envy you your mild winter forecast. Ours is supposed to be cold. Beam me up Scotty…
I hope they are correct this year for me and wrong about your forecast. About every 10-15 years we get a mild winter…a wonderful treat.
Hi! Your garden looks like it is preparing to winter sleep. Beautiful colours! I love your frogg picture. Happy new week ahead!
Yes it is slowly readying for winter…so glad you enjoyed the fall garden!
Beautiful Fall colors and flowers. Great job on the mosaics. The one with the frogs – so cute.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks Glenda…I do enjoy making the mosaics.
Hi, Donna!
I love your collages especially of Fairy rose and grasses, very pretty!
I see your garden is still colorful, but I don’t know Monkshood, what is its Latin name? Nice color!
Monkshood is also known as Aconite. Another common name is Wolfsbane.
Oh, Donna, your photos are always lovely, but this time they were particularly gorgeous! All lovely… and especially the pink ones! 🙂 The Japanese anemone is very beautiful.
Thanks so much for this high praise Sara!
such stunning vases that remind me of summer days and your dahlias were well worth waiting for.
I agree Ann…they were worth the wait.
Oh my, your photos are exquisite. I love the ways you have so beautifully … and creatively … displayed them here on your blog.
It’s been a delightful visit. Coming to you today from Mosaic Monday.
Wishing you a beautiful day…
Brenda
Thanks so much Brenda…I am so humbled.
I’ve never heard of monks hood … Wonderful flower. You have so much color in your garden for this time of year. Thanks for sharing the joy!
It is also called wolfsbane and its Latin name is Aconite…a fabulous but deadly plant.
Love all of your images…the close up and far away combos…especially the way the frog one worked!
Lovely news on the garlic…so good for us!!
I have garlic everyday so I have to plant even more…the best is fresh grown.
Oh, I LOVE toad lilies!
Aren’t they just the most stunning flower.
Beautiful Donna! I love the autumn colors and cannot believe this weather – pinch me! Those really are super petunias! I am enjoying the red fall color of my Pin Oak and the blooms of Calendula. My young Red Maple’s fall show wasn’t much this year – the leaves already gone with those winds – but he is young and I am sure he will grow up to be stately. I’ll be spending another glorious day in the garden, MY garden! I can’t wait to hear about your new critter. Again, another beautiful vase arrangement!
I know pinch me too. I love the nursery where I bought the super petunias…i will keep buying from them for sure. I am so glad I can still garden with so much left to do…chilly here today but still a garden day!
A post filled with beauty, Donna. You have a beautiful garden! And so many gorgeous flowers…
Thanks so much Wen!
When I left, the garden still had roses, but cosmos were gone. It looks like you had those days of 70 degrees that we had in WNY. Here in Austria it has been similar in fall color and temperature.
I was amazed how long the cosmos and other flowers bloomed here and how the roses have so many buds and blooms still….the 70s were enjoyed all week in my garden….so glad to hear you are having lovely weather there.
Beautiful flowers Donna…I didn’t know all that voles ate. I know we have them here, but I haven’t noticed anything that they ate… yet….I may not see it..Michelle
You are so lucky Michelle…they lay waste here….glad you enjoyed the garden.
Indeed fabulous sunrises and pretty late flowers of autumn. I can’t believe you planted that much garlic Donna, I’m envious! My crop will consist of about 15 cloves – but I’m expanding each year. 🙂
I have gotten it down to a science Judith…it goes fast, but we use so much everyday….one of our favorite foods.
everything in this post’s wonderful, but I specially love the photo of the canoodling frogs. And the autumn colours. And the colourful vase. And the toad lily …
Thanks Sue….autumn has been a wonder here in the garden.
a lovely post Donna, I love the canoodling frog photo, how sweet, the sunrise photos are beautiful, your garden is looking beautiful in it’s autumn colours, Frances
Thanks Frances…those frogs were so precious this year.
Your vase arrangements look so professional! Beautiful! I’ve had petunias take a bit of snow and keep on flowering. I hope those frogs gift you with lots of babies next spring. 🙂
Oh my such lovely praise Tammy….I cannot tell you how many groups of eggs we found so we may be given many gifts this spring!