November has been a busier one in the garden and, having thoroughly enjoyed it, I am sad to see it coming to an end. The fall is such a forgiving time to be in the garden up rooting things, tinkering here and there, creating new schemes that no one else will know about until next year. And of course there were the
bulbs.
It has been a beautiful fall, very warm and temperate. A cold front is blowing in this evening and we are expected to have a little snow tomorrow. Knowing the changing weather was coming motivated me to get out in the breeze this afternoon for some more seedling thinning and weeding. My fingers were freezing, but it was really nice to be out!
Edging out another foot of sod from the front of the garden beds made for plenty of labor at the beginning of the month. I love a clean edge at this time of year, as well as in the spring. It does not always happen, but I enjoy it when it does. I planted more creeping phlox (
Phlox subulata) in the new area, as I really like it as an edging plant. It is evergreen, which is probably my favorite reason for growing it besides its
flowers in May.
Much of my seedling thinning is happening on the Shade Path (the area near the gate in the photo above), and in the curb planting strips across the sidewalk. Columbine (
Aquilegia) and forget-me-nots (
Mysotis)
seedlings are everywhere.
This picture does a great job showcasing the improvement that can be made in daylily (Hemerocallis) foliage by
pruning it after flowering. The large green clump was pruned to the ground with hedge shears, while the pile at the lower left corner was not. Quite the difference.
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| Sedum 'Autumn Joy' under the weeping Cherry tree |
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| I love how it brings out the red in the Cherry bark |
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| View of the Shade Path to the back of our property |
The evergreens are coming in to their own. Most moments the garden is looking more brown and black, but there are a few of those sunny moments left that illuminate the left over color. Here at the front is that famous pair again, Northern Sea Oats
(Chasmanthium latifolium) and native aster
Doellingeria unbellata. I spend a couple afternoons edging out some more sod from the beds on this side of the garden also. I filled in mostly with
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'.
More plant filling work in the new curb areas, hoping to make spring a little easier. The hillside by the fence is finally starting to look like something after three-and-a-half years. I am going for a tapestry effect, just throwing all sorts of plants at it hoping something will grow. The
Ajuga reptans at the back seems to be fitting the bill.
Thanks to Helen at The Patient Gardener for hosting the End of the Month View. I love how her posts walk through the garden, taking stock of improvements, etc. So, here is my first go at her concept.
Good summary, and I like your choice of pictures. You've captured a dying beauty that reminds me of Peter Jackson's Rivendell. Bittersweet.
ReplyDeletehello Julie, I love your close up photos, beautiful, I like seeing long views of gardens, there is a lot of colour in your borders despite the passing of the flowers, Frances
ReplyDeleteYou have had a very busy month, it does give a great feeling when you get things done. You seem to have had very similar weather to us this month, although I don't expect any snow here for a while. Christina
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been unseasonably warm in the eastern half of PA---between 60 and 70 degrees for a lot of November. It's getting colder, but still in the low 50s for the next week. I will take what I can get.
ReplyDeleteStill pretty. Love the hydrangea blooms in the first pic. This month has flown by - maybe spring will be here soon! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your end of month view. I'll look forward to seeing your gardens in other months and seasons.
ReplyDeletethanks for joining in again. I enjoyed my walk around your garden it was fascinating and also reassuring as your borders looks as soggy, and autumnal as mine
ReplyDeleteLovely end of month view! I think I always learn something new or get some inspiration out of each of your posts...I have never heard of pruning daylilies before! It's added to my next-year to-do list.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have a plants like Hydrangea, Sedums and Alliums which provide seed heads that look attracive at this time of year. I like your Oats too - such lovely shades of brown.
ReplyDeleteJulie, thank you, thank you so much for the idea for my wisteria and for remembering the problems I had this spring. When I prune in January or February I'll try this, I was so dissapointed as I'd been looking forward to the pergola being covered in blooms for the first time. In the end only the end two plants, nearest to where the birds nest were affected but it was heartbreaking to see the buds on the ground. I agree with Hanni, I learn new things in nearly all your posts. Christina
ReplyDeleteJulie I love visiting your gardens ever lovely even in autumn...I plan to widen a few beds in spring and move some creeping phlox around as edging too...wonderful photos
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