A Cloudy Day

Maria is coming up the coast, too far away to cause any wind or even rain, but it still has pulled in a heavy cloud cover.  

Much of the garden is showing the wear and tear of a long, active growing season.  The Caryopteris incana 'Sunshine Blue' is just reaching the top of its blooming cycle.  With the variegated foliage and pale blue/lavender flowers, it doesn't jump out on most days.  But today, with the soft light, it brings a sense of light into the jumble around it.  The deeply wrinkled bud of the hibiscus, Robert Fleming adds a nice deep magenta nearby.

I have prepared the garden for being away for the next few weeks.  Fortunately at this time of year with the plants preparing for cooler weather, there is no need to worry about watering or other duties while I am gone.  I wonder what will still be blooming in November?

More Fall Flowers

Just yesterday I was working in the flower bed under the magnolia tree, cleaning it out.  And I didn't see these new Colchicum speciosum flowers.  Maybe they sprung up over night?  Anyway, they are another signal of the cooling weather and the arrival of fall.  While these bulbs would much prefer a bright sunny spot, they have been very willing to grow, and multiply in this very shady spot.  After the blooms fade, they put up very large, deeply folded leaves to build the bulb back up, then all evidence of them disappears for 3-4 months in the summer.

Although it is supposed to bloom in the late spring, the Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea, is putting out a blossom.  I have never seen one of these before, and it is quite dramatic.  This is the second year we have grown this plant, and we did not expect it to survive the winter.  So it must like it on the tub on the porch.

Early signs of Autumn

Not only has temperature dropped and the summer humidity gone.  Many plants are moving into their autumn moods.  Some, like this  Cyclamen hederifolium are putting on their annual display. 

This is the only hardy cyclamen that has survived of the three I planted two years ago.  I saw the flowers this morning from the bedroom and let out a quiet cheer, because I felt such cheer seeing it.