A Hint of Fall in Deb's Garden

I shouldn't be surprised, because it seems to happen every year. One day the temp was 90 degrees, and everyone was running around in shorts and sandals. Then 24 hours later the temp plummeted to 40. Summer lasted well into October this year, so this was a welcome change. I have put away my summer clothes and pulled out long pants and sweaters. At last!

The garden is moving from stressed-out end of summer into autumn and is as happy as I am about the new season. October was very dry, but recent rain has refreshed the grounds.

Here are some recent views of the garden as the first hints of autumn begin to show:

Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' as it begins to go dormant

The lady in the woodlands has a new variegated fig hairdo.

Large photo above shows various evergreens in the woodland garden. Smaller photos clockwise from top left: Variegated euphorbia; Variegated Japanese pittosporum; Lemon balm; Mahonia "Soft Caress."

Here are a few late season blooms that appreciate the cooler weather: Clockwise from top left: Helenium 'Short 'n' Sassy'; Salvia "Black and Blue"; Dwarf butterfly bush 'Purple Haze'; Conoclinium coelestinum (perennial ageratum or blue mistflower); Autumn sage 'Heatwave glitter' ; Encore azalea 'Autumn Embers.'All images in this post were taken last week. Since then, fall colors have begun to show in their glory. So now I am going to grab my camera and take photos for my next post! Happy fall!   Deb