It's definitely autumn. My garden isn't great for autumn colour but this bunch I put together represents the final floral fourish and it kind of heartened me that even at the end October there are still a few reasons to be cheerful. Namely, in my tiny plot at least, japanese anemones, sedums, clematis viticella and monkshood, plus the still-blooming summer throwbacks, sunflowers, lavender and nasturtiums. Last year, the October flower selection looked like this. The monkshood is in fact so divinely purple, it deserves a picture all of its own. Such an intense colour at this time of year.
And of course there are still bulbs to plant. Our local community bulb planting event in the burial ground today was a little thin on the ground with volunteers, but we still got in upwards of about 150 daffodils and tulips. And newcomers came with bulbs they want to watch from the local pub - which sums up urban community gardening quite neatly.
But still, reverting to my half-empty setting, I can't help but indulge in a little mournfulness about taking down the bean canes and cutting back spent plants and shrubs. Thank god for mulch, kind of makes things look all tucked up and cosy for the winter.
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Dear Camillap,
ReplyDeletethank you for commenting on my blog - that made me find your interesting blog which I will follow! Yes, autumn we have here too - though still no frost as you had in the UK. When frost starts it is very wise to get in the last flowers - your bouquet is really beautiful! - I think the mixture by chance has such a charm! Monkshood has a real deep blue - that shade of blue is very rare in the garden. Britta
beautiful flowers! what a wonderful bouquet, i'm impressed. i finally took down all my tomato plants friday, now the yard looks empty--the only blooms i have are bolting lettuce, morning glories, nasturtiums, borage, pansies, primroses, cosmos, roses, ground cherries and one very confused banana pepper that waited until this month to start flowering and setting fruit. not a very exciting bouquet, i'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteHi Britta and welcome! There was another frost last night and those last flowers surely won't be around for much longer. I'm starting to believe the reports that say it's going to be another cold winte. Brrr.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, you know I kinda like the sound of that bouquet. And how come you have primroses? Lucky you, a taste of spring.
That monkshood is a truly stunning purple! I'm trying to grow some from seed for next year. My last bunch of flowers from the garden is currently dying in a vase, the Dahlias have been dug up and stored, and the tomato and bean plants long since added to the compost heap. I am now obsessed with seed catalogues, planning for next year.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet - Thank god for planning ahead to keep us going through the winter darkness. When you have grown your monkshood, try taking basal cuttings in spring to get more of them. These worked really well for me.
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