A Sensational Day in the Front Garden

The golden sun was so warm, even as a strong cool breeze was blowing summer away. In the background, the sound of thousands of katydids rose and fell like rhythmic Latin American maracas. I have heard the sound all my life and hardly notice it, but a stranger to the region could be overwhelmed by it. The songbirds were singing, the hawks were shrieking at each other, and the barred owls where hooting in their otherworldly language. The colors of the world were heightened with the sky an intense cerulean blue and the trees and shrubs edged with shades of yellow, pink, and purple. When I took a deep breath I could smell it all: the earth, the freshness of the breeze, the aromas of the foliage. In all, the day was a marvelous sensory experience.

Here are some photos I took around the front garden yesterday as I enjoyed a taste of early autumn. I hope you will receive a blessing, as I did.

A view through the Jasmine arch toward the front garden

a view of the front garden

A view from the front toward the edge of the woodland garden

I planted Deodar 'Feelin' Blue' about a decade ago, when it was only a few inches tall and about a foot wide. Now it is over six feet tall and ten feet wide.

Some views inside the front garden

A view into the front garden from the lower front lawn. I call this the backside of the front garden.Paths run throughout the front garden.

Wild ageratum is one weed I allow to roam, within limits.

An early beginning of the fall foliage show

Finally, here are some September flowers:

I hope that, wherever you are, you are surrounded by love and those things in life that are most beautiful. Have a great week!

A Late September Tour of My Garden

Some friends came over recently for a tour of the garden. Panic! Summer is over, and fall is not quite here. What's to see in the garden? Other than weeds? But there is always something to enjoy. So here is a quick tour of some parts of the garden for those who can't see it in person.

Near the patio the old doghouse is smothered on one side by wild ageratum. Before it bloomed, Lou wanted to pull this weed, but I told him to leave it. A few sprigs of Red Cascade rose combine with the wildflowers and the bright colors of the doghouse.

From the other side of the patio, here is a view of the front garden. Notice the Red Banana plant, back from the dead!

Aren't these red banana leaves gorgeous?

Lets walk down the steps and peek at the Lady Garden. I have done a lot of work here this year, and there is still much to do: the joy of gardening!

I love the variegated ficus shown above, which grows in a pot in the Lady Garden. It is not hardy, and I will have to bring it in by December. I will also have to bring in the terra cotta lady head pot, shown below. This pot is what gives this part of my garden its name. The terra cotta can not take the freezing and thawing that accompanies winter. Notice I have put out my first pumpkins, in celebration of fall.

Leaving the Lady Garden, an oakleaf hydrangea catches our attention. These grow wild all over the place. This one already has amazing fall colors.

Walking up the road we look over the woodland garden. I won't take you in there today, but here are a couple of views you can see from the road.A trident maple on the left and the spreading branches of 'Orido Nishiki' Japanese maple complement the mondo grass that grows as a ground cover below them.From the road you can get an overview of the entry to the woodland garden.

In front of the house, by the parking court, silvery 'Powis Castle' artemesia, bright spider lilies, and Autumn sage combine to offer a colorful greeting to guests.

Finally, here are some more blooms we see on our tour.Top row: a couple of colorful fall mums. 2nd row: 'Penelope' rose and purple Heliotrope, which has been blooming all summer in the front planter. Third row: Both of these blooms are on the same shrub - Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' has lived up to its name!I hope you enjoyed the tour. My friends got raspberry chocolate cake; for that you will have to come in person!

Have a great week!    Deborah