Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - October '08

The fall foliage hit peak this past weekend and has provided a glorious spectacle of breathtaking scenery. So often I walk outside and see scenes that make me want to run back in for the camera....which makes it hard to get anything done when there's so much that needs doing!
But that's not the subject of this post, so, without further ado...on with the show!

Only a few hardy blooms remain in our October garden, but the containers are still providing some color.

Pumpkins add their vivid orange, with gourds adding a touch of yellow and white.

The yellow Biden makes a nice contrast to the dark leaved filler, which I think is an alternanthera, but it wasn't labeled, so I'm not sure. If you can name it please let me know. Posted by Picasa

Ivy Leaved Geraniums are one of my favorites, providing season-long color. Posted by Picasa

This little Nasturtium tucked into a sheltered corner is a lone survivor of the frost.

I covered a few of the smaller gardens close to the house with sheets, and some of the plants are still struggling along, although damaged by the 2 hard frosts we've had, in spite of the covering.

Snapdragons will survive the frosts for a while, and a few of the marigolds are hanging on.

A few blue puffs of Ageratum remain. Posted by Picasa

Here's the Lemon Gem Marigold.

The tough little Alyssum holds on undamaged until the cold sets in. Posted by Picasa

Petunias, Vebena and Alyssum in the Rose/Clematis garden are still looking pretty, with the burgundy Heuchera on the right. The white Alyssum (Sweet Alice) sewed itself profusely and had to be thinned ruthlessly a couple of times.

I found a few blooms on Clematis Carnaby. Posted by Picasa

The window boxes and containers were put under cover in the garage and on the side porch during the 2 nights of hard frost. We won't bother putting them back in place because it's time for me to take out the Ivy Geraniums for overwintering. I'll plant the vinca in the vegetable garden and dig it up to use again in the spring.

That's 'Butterfly' Ivy Geranium still looking lovely in the hanging basket.

This gorgeous purple Calibrachoa (Million Bells) has bloomed continuously all summer.

I'll gradually empty the containers and save a few plants from them too.

The Rasberry Blast Petunia basket has been gorgeous all summer. That's Lambada Ivy Geranium behind it. Posted by Picasa

There's still some color on the front porch too. This photo was taken on October 2nd before the leaves in the hedgerow had changed color, but these containers are still looking good.

Vancouver Centennial Geranium, in the containter on the left, pairs very nicely with Calibrachoa Colorburst Terracotta.

Here's a pretty lilac Calibrachoa.

Osteospermums (African Daisy) bloom well in spring and fall, but take a break during the hottest part of the summer. That lovely red filler is Iresine. Posted by Picasa

On the other side of that container is another pretty Osteospermum. This one is Nasinga Purple Improved.

A few potted plants on the front porch.....

Streptocarpus/Cape Primrose

Babywing Begonia has been such a beautiful plant. It grows very easily from cuttings.

The Cyclamen I bought last winter has rebloomed nicely.

These are the first 2 blooms on one of two African Violets given to me last December as leaf starts by my dear friend, Liz. They've grown very slowly. Posted by Picasa

Tuberous Begonia...always beautiful.

Here's what the Pink Garden looks like today...there's still plenty of Alyssum, some snapdragons, and Pink Morn Petunias, with Gloriosa Daisies against the shed. There are still a few blooms on the Obedient Plant at the other end, but they're hard to see in this photo. Posted by Picasa

Pink Morn Petunias with purple Snapdragons behind.

A few Campanula (bluebell or bellflower) are still hanging on. Posted by Picasa

The climbing rose, Social Climber, has a couple of buds.

And so does the Weigela.

This lone Shasta Daisy deserves a mention because it's been hanging in there for many weeks. Posted by Picasa

I found a bee on one of two remaining Japanese Anemone blooms. Posted by Picasa

And a wasp on the Cerise Queen Achillea (Yarrow).

Another busy bee on the few remaining Aster flowers.

There's still a Rudbeckia Triloba (Black-eyed Susan) here and there.

I think The Gloriosa Daisies should win the prize for the longest blooming flowers in our garden. They really are like the Energizer Bunny...they just keep going and going! Sadly, the white Japanese Anemone you see with it is more frost sensitive, but it will be back next year to delight us once more! Posted by Picasa
For more blooms all over the world visit Carol of May Dreams Gardens.
Happy Bloom Day everyone!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...[Reply]

The signs of Autumn are visible in your first few photos, from the colourful trees, to the pumpkin family on the steps. Your house and gardens look so nice nestled among the lovely countryside.
You still have quite a bit in bloom. I love the hardiness of snapdragons, although I didn't plant any this year. You can put them out early, and they tough it out through the frosts, flowering all through the season.
Your alyssum is a trooper too. It looks pretty with the petunias and verbena.
It's good that the bees can still find some flowers in your garden. They must be as appreciative as the gardener for those late blooms.

Pat said...[Reply]

It's amazing how many different plants you have and that they're still in bloom. Everything looks beautiful including the mountains in the background.

Tabor said...[Reply]

My shasta daisies put out a rush of blooms in early summer and then disappeared! Of course, they don't get much sun. I have lots of purple flowers blooming yet...maybe I should do an entry on that.

Susan Tidwell said...[Reply]

So beautiful! Fall colors are so vibrant. Thanks again for the virtual tour.

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

I always enjoy your photos. You have a lovely setting.

We are waiting for our first hard frost Friday night. I don't have many annuals (only one huge morning glory) so the frost won't hurt the garden too much. I will miss the heirloom tomatoes. I'll try covering them but the bushes are awfully big.
Marnie

CanadianGardenJoy said...[Reply]

Your garden and potted plants are still going strong and so pretty !
The long shot of the wooded area in colour is gorgeous .. I hope to get out and do another shoot of colour before bad weather strips the trees of their leaves.
I'm down to just a few pots on the deck even though we haven't had a real frost yet. I was worried I'd just not get round to it ? LOL
Wonderful plant pictures Kerri !

F Cameron said...[Reply]

I just love coming here everyday to see your blooms and your setting. It's like a nice hug! Smiles! Cameron

joco said...[Reply]

Hello Kerri,

Your pictures take me back!

We spent six years in Corning, upstate NY. I loved the pumpkin farms at this time of the year, all the fruits graded in size.Didn't like to have to rake the leaves under the dozen or so hickory trees ;-)

Northern shade put so beautifully what your post evokes. No need to try again.

Barbarapc said...[Reply]

I can practically feel the air when I look at the last bits of blossom. Love the picture with the pumpkins and fields & trees in the distance.

Linda said...[Reply]

Absolutely Gorgeous Kerri! What is it about flowers that just speaks to the heart? I love them. You have such a special gift. Thank you for sharing it with one who surely doesn't have a green thumb and is such a lover of flowers.

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

What wonderful blooms you still have Kerri. I had forgotten you had so many pots. It is fun this time of year to have so many so you have many blooms, just wonderful.

Naturegirl said...[Reply]

Kerri it is always a joy to come by and see the spectacular view from your home in the country! So many blossoms still in your wonderful garden!!I have a few special ones I'm
admiring here in my garden.
Enjoy the Autumn scenery!

Alice said...[Reply]

Seeing all the various flowers gamely continuing to flower despite the frosts and the dryness made me feel like congratulating each and every one of them. But I looked at the beautiful autumn leaves in the distance - and just felt an overwhelming sadness.

I know it's the way seasons are over there, and you are used to them, but all I could think was that it's such a short time since Spring arrived and your plants started to grow, and now they are approaching winter and the frosts that will blacken them.

Your gardens bloom brilliantly in the short time of warm sunshine, but it seems so unfair that is has to be over so quickly. Even here at home where we are enjoying the beauty of fresh leaves on all the trees and an abundance of flowers, in the midst of our enjoyment I think of your gardens settling down for the winter, and I just feel sad.

I'm just very glad that you always have so much colour and pleasure from your beautiful gardens - the result of lots of hard but rewarding work. I hope your overwintering plants will have a lovely sleep and be ready to reward you again in a few months time.

Perhaps it's time for Kerri and the Statue to rest too?

Pam said...[Reply]

Frosts already? We used often to have frosts in October, but never nowadays, which would be good if the reasons weren't so alarming.

Lovely pictures as usual. I just adore that view.

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

loved the vivid orange of your pumpkins.......and the fall colors in the background are such a treat to the eyes..the hills here too are alive with the colors of fall........

and your garden irrespective of the season, never fails to make an impression :)

joey said...[Reply]

Autumn's voice sings a lovely song through your post, Kerri.

Unknown said...[Reply]

Holy moly, Kerri! What a lot of bloomin' colour you still have in your garden! The longest blooming flower in my garden is the yellow corydalis, which blooms from early May until snow, but yes, the Rudbeckias do quite nicely too.

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
You still have so much beautiful color in your garden! I love the touches of fall here and there though.
We just aren't seeing any of the change of colors yet (we hit 90º yesterday!)
Very warm and dry in these parts!
xo

Anonymous said...[Reply]

It's so picturesque around your garden. and I thought you said there wasn't much left?? Oh my, there seems to still be a profusion of blooms (at least compared to here). My containers are providing color too but only because I cover them also. Your dahlias (in the previous post) were fabulous. Enjoy these last days before its gone.

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

Thanks for sharing... I felt like I took a real tour. I love lemon gem marigolds and had a hard time locating the seeds or plants this year. I am going to order seeds earlier next year!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

What a beautiful Bloom Day in your garden, Kerri. If this "isn't much," I'd be astonished to see what is. It still looks very colorful and flowery to me. Along with the colors of fall, who could resist it? Not me.

Unknown said...[Reply]

Oh WOW Kerri... what a lot of October blooms you have in your garden yet! I always love your containers, but am particularly drooling over that 'Vancouver' geranium. I keep meaning to find myself one of those... it just hasn't happened yet.

Snapdragons and alyssum amaze me. They may not look like much in August, but in September and October they really burst into color nicely. One neighbor down the street has a white alyssum lining the entire sidewalk (self-seeded, I'm sure) and it smells so sweet when we walk by in the fall. :)

John said...[Reply]

Kerri:

I away enjoy your Bloom Day posts. Wonderful rich full colors.

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

All your containers do help you extend the seasons, don't they Kerri! You have so many beautiful blooms looking good up against the house while the fields and forest admit that it's the end of October.

I can remember cherishing each surviving blossom as the frosts got harder and harder back in Illinois - alyssum and snapdragons were two of the toughest.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Carol Michel said...[Reply]

I love coming to see what you have blooming because you always have so much bloom. And I like the fall pictures, too.

Thanks for joining in for bloom day.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens