When The Colors Sing
Even as the sun is hidden, the winds are gusting and the highs for the day plummet to well below the recent lows, these circumstances have an upside effect. The foliage and flower colors begin a chorus of uplifting voices.
As the end of most color in the gardens gets closer, those that are left raise notes of gold and russet, well illustrated by the Fothergilla gardenii. To read a post about this wonderful native shrub, click here.
Without the bright rays of the sun, daytime becomes as dusk and the moisture enhances hues.
Leaves are falling, sweaters and scarves are needed, autumn is officially here. In the background, witch hazel Diane, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ is singing long and low.
The yellow button mum, an unknown cultivar from Mouse Creek Nursery that usually blooms much later than the sheffies has decided to join in the singing this year.
Aster oblongifolius ‘October Blue Skies’ is like a misty watercolor along the driveway. Even the concrete becomes beautiful if we squint our eyes just right and release those preconcieved notions of what is pretty and what is not.
This stalk of Lilium ‘Pink Perfection’ is a beacon of brilliance. Some of the lilies brown and crumple immediately after blooming, others stand erect and fade gracefully into that good night.
The little weed, er wildflower Acalypha virginica var. rhomboidea, written about here, has become a crimson candelabra in these conditions. This really should be grown in every garden.
Going around to the front yard, the weeping blue atlas cedar can be seen flanked by Cornus sanguinea ‘Arctic Sun’ oddly in flower on the green new growth as the older leaves have turned and are falling. Just beyond this scene, the pink muhly is winding down.
The big show stopping number of Muhlenbergia capillaris is turning down the volume. It is still attractive and will remain so, shining pinkly on sunny days and becoming more subdued as it turns to palomino pony. It will still gallup along well into the next year when it will be cut to the ground to begin the saga all over again.
Frances
Such brilliant fall foliage Frances. It is an exciting time in the garden. One appreciates these last colors beaming or singing if you will… Have a great weekend.
Lisa at Greenbow said this on November 2, 2012 at 5:41 am |
Your gardens are still so full of color! Ours are fading fast now, I still have very little blooming but I cherish their blooms. The leaves are covering everything with a blanket of golds, and browns. I have been mulching them but I think it will be a never ending process with the forest all around us. Thanks for the ID’s you share, I am learning! Smiles, Cyndi
Cyndi said this on November 2, 2012 at 6:43 am |
Your linked to post with more detail about the Acalypha virginica was fascinating. I have noticed it popping up uninvited in my garden through the years and always treated it as an unwelcome invader. Although, I do admit, its burnished copper glow always makes a positive impression. You are so right that it needs a pr campaign to improve its standing. I guess if a little genetic tweaking could be done by Proven Winners and they could give it an alluring name and charge $$$ for it, then every gardener would start coveting it.
michaele anderson (@meander1) said this on November 2, 2012 at 8:09 am |
I always feel like I learn so much reading your blog. I get so many ideas for plants I’d like to try. My favorites in this post are your “crimson candelabra” (love that description) and the fothergilla, of course.
Leslie said this on November 2, 2012 at 8:11 am |
Such gorgeous color yet in your garden. That old cold weather is on it’s way. It will make our gardens look so much different. Love it.
Lola said this on November 2, 2012 at 8:51 am |
Hi Frances, Your garden is so beautiful! Thank you for your lovely blog.
Anne Boykin said this on November 2, 2012 at 9:17 am |
I can’t believe that yellow mum usually blooms later than the Sheffies. The Sheffies are pushing it here and will probably be dusted with snow this weekend.
Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening said this on November 2, 2012 at 10:25 am |
Our notion of what’s pretty really takes a pounding when fall arrives, especially here, where everything is heavily water-logged and mushy from the return of fall rain.
Alison said this on November 2, 2012 at 11:01 am |
I have that little weed. It grows all over the partial shade garden. I pull a lot of it, but always miss some. I have another weed which is much, much worse. That one is pretty in fall. Love your other plants Faire. I might try Fothergilla again.
Dee A. Nash said this on November 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm |
The Fothergilla is stunning, as are the Mums and Asters. And the Muhly grass–for some reason, I’m falling in love with it this year! Time to find a place for it!
PlantPostings said this on November 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm |
No carousel pony was ever as naturally colorful as your Muhly grass. I love it.
Layanee said this on November 2, 2012 at 4:47 pm |
I love the asters with the Muhlenbergia.
gardeninacity said this on November 2, 2012 at 6:07 pm |
Brilliant colors!! Ours is a little crunchy….or naked because of having been crunchy. Hope my Fothergillas get larger — they are tiny little sticks….someday they will be colorful and glorious in the fall.
Janet, The Queen of Seaford said this on November 2, 2012 at 9:10 pm |
That wonderful blue colour of ‘October Blue Skies’ is very appealing. With so many flowers they make handsome plants.
Your Muhlenbergia is another one with a terrific colour. Plus the form of the grass adds beautiful texture to the scene.
Northern Shade said this on November 2, 2012 at 9:33 pm |
The colors are singing a resounding chorus in your garden, Frances! Love the fothergilla and the little crimson weed/wildflower. You know I also love the Muhly, but I’m going to stop complaining about not having any–I found a cultivar on some site that is hardy to zone 5–yippee! Now, just to figure out where I can plant some.
Rose said this on November 7, 2012 at 7:41 pm |