Sweet September flowers
The cooler mornings lately have drawn me into the garden, and I’ve been taking more photos than usual. It’s impossible to resist these fat, pink rosebuds appearing on the ‘Belinda’s Dream’ rosebush.
The pillow-like flowers are even sweeter, with a dreamy fragrance.
The kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana ), a tough, native, shrubby tree, is in full bloom, attracting moths, flies, bees and other eager pollinators. Its airy form makes it difficult to photograph, as Lee at The Grackle pointed out recently.
A close-up gives a better sense of its beauty. The flowers smell faintly like a mimosa’s, and the feathery leaves, when crushed, are lemony. It makes a modest accent tree that provides a little shade, but not too much—great for a xeric garden filled with sun lovers.
The year-old ‘Muskogee’ crepe myrtle in the front garden put most of its energy into growth during this long, hot summer. But it did flower, and here’s a look at its tissuey, lavender-pink bloom. I’m sorry not to be here to see this tree grow to maturity. I hope the next owners let it grow into a graceful, vase-shaped tree rather than hacking it back and creating knobby elbows every year. Maybe I should leave a set of instructions behind. Or would that be too pushy?
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Leave the instructions! They can toss them if they like or they may be very grateful for that and any other information you leave for them. Start doing it now – time runs out quickly towards the the end. I was fortunate that the Realtors were OK with the new owner meeting with me to go through the garden = at least in Portland that wasn’t normally done because of the possibility of something throwing a monkey wrench in the deal.
I don’t know how much he retained – it was all verbal. Often I wish I could just drive by to see how it looks, so it’s probably a good thing that I’m in Alabama. It could be too shocking.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Barbara. I think I will leave behind some sort of information for the new owners, plus they’ll have the info to be found here on my blog. I’m also willing to come over afterward and ID plants for them, if they want. But I don’t want to push it on anyone. For all I know, the next owners will want to remove the garden and replant lawn. It’s their choice. —Pam
You are absolutely correct. The mornings are becoming friendly again. In many ways, here in Charleston its like the beginning of fall. It is so subtle. No trumpets, cool days or turning leaves….but a drop in morning humidity certainly does wonders for the lense.
The mornings are friendly, and it won’t be long until the afternoons are too. I can’t wait! —Pam
To Barbara’s comment…….when it is sold, I never look back. It is usually too painful. Have sold 4 houses in my lifetime with really cool gardens. I’ve had people come up to me at parties and tell me they picked plants off the street that once belonged to me, good stuff, if I had known, would have dug up and taken with me. But you can’t for obvious reasons.
Wow, you’ve left four wonderful gardens behind? Then I can’t feel too bad about leaving just one. Your experience shows me that I should take the plants that I really love, however, so I don’t hear about them being thrown out on the street later. —Pam
I can see why you are drawn out to the garden now that it is cooler out. Roses, fresh blooms, it looks like spring!
I also agree with Barbara, you should pull together some pictures and instructions on what do in the garden and leave it for the new owners. It might be just what someone needs to learn to garden!
Luckily, they’ll have the benefit of this blog to help them ID their new plants. But written instructions are always better, especially for a new gardener. —Pam
It looks like this is one of the most beautiful times of the year in your garden — the cooler temps must be a great relief. 🙂 Everything looks wonderful.
Thanks, Nancy. It’s getting there. October is much better, and then April and May are wonderful too for Austin gardens. But I really do love the fall and winter months just for the comfort of being outdoors again. —Pam
Lovely Pam, your photos are excellent. I love the detail on the pink rosebud. Gail
Thanks, Gail. I’m glad you enjoyed them. —Pam
I saw Lee’s post on his kidneywood and was intrigued. Your pictures are making me think I need one. Now to figure out where I can put it …
Ah, the eternal question. I hope you find room for it, Cindy. —Pam
I think I love the Fall garden more than any other – whoever buys your home will be getting quite a jewel!
Thank you, Mary Beth. I hope they see it that way too. —Pam
Pam, I believe anyone who purchases your home will partly do so because of your gorgeous garden. A notebook of instructions and hints would be invaluable and most likely treasured. What a gorgeous color on your crape myrtle by the way! Robin
Thanks for your opinion on leaving instructions behind, Robin. I think I will do it. —Pam
Pam – I didn’t leave instructions, but I do confess to driving by my previous house periodically and trying to get a good look at how everything is doing. I SO wish I could get into my back gardens!
Do you still know your old neighbors, Diana? Maybe they could sneak you a back-yard photo or two. 🙂 —Pam
Hey Pam, I agree with Robin at Getting Grounded… and if you can leave them instructions, and maybe even pictures of some of the plants, that would be a bonus. From there, they can decide what to keep and what to edit out according to their tastes.
So, are you thinking about taking any plants with you when you go? I’m just asking because I took some plants to this garden that I almost wish I hadn’t… because now I kind of feel obliged to take care of them, and some of them aren’t liking the different conditions here–dry vs. the old wet clay soil. (Thinking of the ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ actaea/cimicifuga here.) On the other hand, I’m so glad that I took my blueberry bushes with me… so maybe I just need to get the balls to send those gorgeous bugbanes to a new home?
I appreciate your sharing your experience with me, Kim. I am trying to be very selective in what I take to the new house, recognizing that the soil and sunlight conditions there are going to be different, but taking the ones that mean the most to me and aren’t easily replaced. —Pam
I not only left directions to the new owners of my old house, but I made them promise to keep it on our summer garden tour, Garden Walk Buffalo. Not only did they do that, but they initiated a block club and encouraged all houses on the street to join the garden tour. Now, each year, they “take over” the front garden of an elderly neighbor and put it on the tour as well. The street chips in and buys the plants and takes clippings, divisions from their own gardens. They’ve gotten grants for street planters, hanging baskets and banners for light poles. There’re now 18 houses on the tour along their short one-block street (when we lived there, it was just one- ours). And the people that bough the house? They weren’t even gardeners before they bought it from us. So you never know what you may start by just giving the new owners a little push…
Wow, what an awesome story, Jim! They certainly took over your garden with enthusiasm, didn’t they? You’re right—you just never know what will happen with a garden. —Pam
The pink roses are sweet indeed!
They are hard to resist, Robin. —Pam
They are all so pretty. It would be hard for me to leave it all.
Thanks, Lola. The idea of leaving, before we decided to move, was harder than it seems now. Once I accepted the possibility of leaving, it became easier to deal with the reality of our impending move. —Pam
Just Beautiful! Austin looks better and better.
Aiyana
Aiyana, I look forward to welcoming you to Austin one of these days. 😉 —Pam
September is still hot but it has a feel of fall about it and our gardens are showing that. I’m beginning to feel sorry for you as the time gets close. But the good times are coming as you will have a new palette to mix your colors.
Thanks for sympathizing, Bob, but I’m ready to try my hand with a new garden. I do hope the next owners love this garden as I have, but that’s not up to me—a freeing realization. —Pam
Your blogg are soooooooo nice and interesting!
Linda
Many thanks, Linda! I’m glad you dropped by. —Pam
I noticed a bloom on my Belinda’s Dream yesterday but the plant overall is still very puny. I think I’m going to move it to another spot soon. I love the color of the Muskogee crepe myrtle. I think this is the one I have but I’m not sure. How tall is yours? Mine is about 20 ft.
Phillip, I just planted this crepe myrtle from a 30-gallon pot last November, so it’s only about 12 to 14 feet tall. According to this website, they get as tall as 15 to 25 feet. —Pam
would you consider hosting an open house in your garden before you move out of your home, for those of us readers who love your garden & yet have never seen it in person? i know you will have much to do during the moving process, but it could be a sweet little celebration for the garden that you love so! let us know!
Rebekah, that is a very flattering request. Thank you for letting me know you’ve enjoyed reading about my garden that much. I do not know whether I will feel up to doing something like this or have the time. But I will keep the suggestion in mind. Thanks again. —Pam
It will definitely be quite the emotional day when you leave that garden behind. I think you should leave instructions for the new owners. Your garden is mature enough that even if the new owners aren’t gardeners they might be able to keep it up.
A couple new owners in my neighborhood didn’t keep up with the gardens of the previous owners. In one case the new owners ripped out the half of the front yard covered in native plants and put in sod. They also painted the cheery yellow house gray.
But I have hope for your new owners and can’t wait to see how you deal with the shady new yard.
I have seen friends’ gardens removed by new owners too. That’s sad, but each owner has to do what’s best for their abilities or desire. Not everyone wants to maintain a garden. For that matter, I did my share of ripping out when I moved into this house.
Thanks for the encouragement about moving on to the next garden, Vertie. —Pam
Oh push on Pam. They might be thankful of some insight to the care of your, soon to be their garden.
I will, Lisa. Thanks. —Pam
My friend, Wanda, left detailed instructions on her garden, along with her phone number. The buyer seemed to truly appreciate it. If it would prevent crape murder, I would be thrilled.~~Dee
Ha—yes, it’s worth the effort for that reason alone. —Pam
Hi Pam, I haven’t been keeping up with blogs lately so didn’t know you were moving. I empathize. Our garden is still small, but I can’t stop wanting to add to it, even though I know we’ll move in about a year and a half. It will be sad to leave it behind, but we’ll have a new palette to work with in the new place. Are you staying in Austin? Wherever you go, do doubt you’ll remain an inspiration to gardeners!
Hi, Lynn. Yep, we’re staying in Austin, only moving a few miles away, in fact. Thanks for the encouragement. I’m looking forward to starting a new garden soon and blogging about the process. —Pam
I would leave instructions too. I bet your neighbors are going to really miss you. I would love to be able to see your garden everyday. I hope the next owner can continue to nurture your beautiful garden.
Thanks, Cindee. I hope the new owner will enjoy the garden too. It’s not that hard to take care of, really. And taking care of it is, of course, a great reason to be out in the garden, enjoying it. —Pam
Pam – it sounds like you’ve got the right attitude about moving. It’ll be the new owners to do what they wish. But leaving instructions would be mighty helpful. One piece of advice though – DO NOT drive by and look at it later. It may make your heart sink (I speak from experience). Oh, love the kidneywood and I miss that very much (I used to live in Austin).
I appreciate your hard-won experience, Jean. Since our new house will be fairly close by, it’ll be difficult not to drive by from time to time, but I will try to prepare myself for major changes, just in case. —Pam