Regardless of how hot it is, all you have to do is walk outside and you know it is fall. It just smells like fall. And the biggest sign of fall around here is all the tiny honey locust leaves we find all over our house. They are so easy to “carry in”. This morning at breakfast we watched them rain down out our window. They are everywhere now.
While I am in the midst of fall work which includes moving roses, adding roses, dividing perennials and in general making a big mess, there is still beauty to see.
One of the most beautiful sights in the garden right now is Proven Winners Midnight Blue Caryopteris (Bluebeard).
If you don’t have this shrub and you are in Zones 5-9, treat yourself to one or two or more. I now have 4 and may add two more next year. These late summer blooming machines are outstanding! Link to more information here.
I am not the only one around here who loves them. The pollinators can’t leave them alone.
DAHLIAS
The dahlias are putting on a show!
COSMOS
Loving this new (to me) cosmos, Psyche White from Floret.
They are soooooo pretty! Floret is showing sold out right now but that might change. It looks like it is still available from Select Seeds here. I’ll definitely be saving seeds from this one.
STAR OF THE WEEK:
Desdemona! This David Austin beauty thinks it’s spring.
This pollinator is loving her too!
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
We have a new series starting in October – WINTER ROSE TALES. In this series you will hear from rose growers around the country. They will tell us about their gardens and the roses they grow plus share what they do to care for their roses in the winter. I think you will find all of them fascinating and fun.
In the meantime you can catch up on other recently released show here…
P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm – A Sense of Place – Rose Chat Podcast
The latest podcast is an update from Star Roses and Plants where they talk about new roses and new garden trends.
I’m doing some traveling this weekend to attend the Colonial District Picnic and talk about English Cottage Gardens. So excited to see many old friends and meet new ones!
Until next time, happy gardening.
Your garden is glorious! Today fall arrived here in Central VA with 50F am temps and low humidity! Hurrah! That white dahlia is stunning!!! Also adore the Caryopteris (Bluebeard).Blue is so special and rare in any garden. Wonder if it would repel powdery mildew here? Celebrate!
I don’t know about powdery mildew. Neither of mine of gotten it but we have had so little rain since early June.
We went from 96 degrees yesterday to 57 degrees this am. And we only got 1/4 inch of rain yesterday, and we really need some more. I have enjoyed seeing your beautiful pics and learning about some new plants, too. I rooted the top or crown of a pineapple and recently gave it to a friend with the Pineapple Quote, “Be Like A Pineapple. Stand tall, wear a crown, and stay sweet on the inside.” She is all three. It was very healthy and had a nice green crown. I am enjoying my nice flush of roses now and still getting a few tomatoes. Still watering, too. I find I am spending too much time in the garden though. Recently baked seven small loaves of pumpkin bread with a can of real pumpkin and English walnuts it. It is a nice change of seasons. Happy Fall!
Our extremes sure pale in the light of what has happened in FL and up the coast. We are still in drought – have had very little rain all summer. It is amazing to me that many plants are still doing pretty well. We do not have irrigation and have not watered very much due to the high heat. Enjoy those tomatoes!