Autumn Leaves and Other Things I Love

The autumn garden has such gladness when the sun is shining. Leaves upon the trees turn into stained glass wonders, if only for moments with the passing rays:

This dogwood gives promise for next spring as it holds flower buds above its beautiful fall foliage.I love this season, not for the dying, but for the aging glory and for the celebration of winter's rest to come. I love the details of an autumn leaf — still fluttering on the branch, or fallen to the ground, or twisting in the breeze, caught in a crafty spider's web:

Dried Trident maple seed pods, still clinging to the tree, look like delicate parchment paper blooms:

The rose tints of a fading hydrangea bloom linger on into the season, and other flowers put out fresh buds, despite the chilliness of fall nights:

These mums beside the parking court have spread from a single plant, purchased long ago from a grocery store. They are just beginning to open their blooms. Nandina 'Firepower' grows in front.I have moved this Ipomoea carnea, or bush morning glory, three times. It is tall and skinny, and I finally found a good home for it beside this birdhouse. The bush morning glory seems to like the cooler temperatures of fall.

A few years ago I banished most of the Nandina domestica plants from my garden for their aggressiveness, pulling them up by the scores, but leaving only a couple, for I cannot part with their berries completely. I cut them off, when my eyes have had my fill of them.

Stump World knows no season, as its slow decay nourishes life throughout the year, but moss, fungi, and lichen are particularly lovely during fall:

 May you take time to reflect upon some of nature's finest details, and have a great week!  Deborah 

My Lovely Weed and Other Summer Flowers

I have fallen in love with an invasive weed. It was an impulse buy. Only after I had paid money for it and then proudly planted it in my garden did I discover its classification, at least in neighboring Florida, where its cultivation is prohibited. This doesn't apply to my own state of Alabama. Yet. The offending flower is Bush Morning-Glory, Ipomoea fistulosa. It is more likely to become invasive in wet sites, which it prefers, though it will grow and behave itself in well drained situations. It is a native in tropical America and is reported in a number of southern US states, as well as in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. 

The bush morning glory looks similar to the morning glory vine, with pink to purple flowers opening only in the morning, but there are important differences. The bush has a thick stalk which can grow seven to eight feet tall. It has beautiful heart shaped leaves on sparse branches and funnel shaped flowers, which are three to four inches across. In Brazil the hollow stems are used for making pipes. Whereas the vine is an annual, here the bush morning glory is hardy and will return each year.

I will watch my bush morning glory closely. I don't think it will be a problem for me, though with all the rain we have had lately, I wonder!

Meanwhile, I am enjoying some other summer flowers. In semi-shady areas assorted hydrangeas continue to bloom:

Here is a combination of white impatiens and colorful caladiums, also growing in a partially shaded site:

Monarda and Veronica bloom in sites that receive morning sun and some afternoon shade:

While much of our property is shaded, we do have some areas that receive full sun. Flowers in these areas are heat lovers that can take our sultry conditions. Below in both upper and lower photos are Tropicana Canna Lily, on the left, and Pavonia Hastata, on the right. These are reliable beauties in my hot summer climate.

This is my first year to grow tropical hibiscus. It will not be my last!

Many summer flowers are commoners seen at every garden outlet. I am not a plant snob. Toughness and survival count for me. I love marigolds!

Finally, I don't always depend on plants for color. This is my flower bug. Call it whimsical, gaudy, cute, whatever.Bring on the heat!