Late fall garden
Some fall color: yaupon (Ilex vomitoria ) berries redden over toasty inland sea oats seedheads.
Warm, dry, sunny days and cool nights make for delightful fall weather here in Austin. The garden remains in bloom, with the first freeze probably still several weeks, or even a month, away. Here’s what I noticed on my late-morning inspection.
‘Valentine’ rose echoes the berry red of the yaupon. That’s fall aster (Aster oblongifolius ) behind it.
Several of the salvias are still going strong, including this ‘Indigo Spires’ salvia.
In a glazed, blue pot nearby, yellow Mexican mint marigold is a wonderful foil for ‘Indigo Spires.’
‘Belinda’s Dream’ rose, dreamily full and fragrant
A few purple coneflowers have forgotten that summer’s over. This one attracted a visiting butterfly.
So pretty. I came by for a visit before I go outside today and clean up in my own garden, getting ready for winter. Your garden in early November looks like August in my garden. If I were there in your garden today, I’d feel confused, like I was in a time warp or something.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
You might, Carol, until you got used to the rhythm of our seasons. To me, the garden looks pretty autumnal compared to an August garden. The yaupon berries, inland sea oats, fall aster, and Mexican mint marigold are all fall indicators. And the roses always perk up with the cooler weather in the fall. Those purple coneflowers, now—they just don’t know when to stop. I may have a bloom or two all winter. —Pam
Your photos are so pretty. That red rose looks good enough to eat. Hmmm I better go have breakfast. Have a great weekend.
It must be something about red flowers. I always think the red Turk’s cap looks pretty enough to eat. 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Lisa. —Pam
That Holly needs a name change makeover. It is a beautiful shrub, but who would be attracted to a name that sounds like a Roman frat house room.
You may have a point. Although I find the name kind of funny—and educational—too. —Pam
What lovely roses! There are still lots of roses (but not mine) blooming here, too, but none that I’ve seen matches that wonderful red of ‘Valentine.’
By the way, I agree with Mr. McGregor’s Daughter on the holly needing a name change–not just the common name, though. Vomitoria. I’m sure it’s aptly named because it makes you throw up or something, but still… ugh. lol.
I love this red too. To me, the color makes up for Valentine’s lack of scent, though I often feel I must defend growing a scentless rose. But I can enjoy the color through my window, which is how I see the garden most of the time, especially in summer.
I’m a little surprised that roses are still blooming so far north. I guess you haven’t had a freeze yet. —Pam
Hi Pam!
Great photos, as usual. With each one, I was prepared to say, “that’s my favorite!”. But I just kept saying it! The indigo spire’s color is brilliant, but I sure did love the butterfly on the coneflower. And who can pass up a beautiful rose? Guess I’ll just have several favorites! Have a great week, Chris
Thanks, Chris! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I agree that the ‘Indigo Spire’s color is brilliant—it’s so much fresher now thanks to cooler weather. That one may be my favorite. —Pam
Oh, so gorgeous. That Valentine rose gets me every time. My mexican mint marigold is just starting to bloom and Jack and I have been watching it. He told his dad today “It’s popping out!” when he saw the flowers.
Isn’t it fun to see how excited kids get about flowers? They get almost as worked up as we gardeners do. 😉
My Mexican mint marigold is still in the nursery pot, just stuck in the blue glazed pot. I’m planning to plant it after the flowers fade. —Pam
It doesn’t look like fall at all in my eyes as it is so very different from the fall we have over here. When I look at your garden I find it hard to believe that you even get frost. 😉
We do get frost, although my garden gets fewer than others in Austin. I seem to be gardening in the warmest spot in town. We’ll probably get a light frost in the next three or four weeks. —Pam
Your season goes on and on and on – beautifully! Do you love that or are you ready for a break?
Perhaps summer in the South is like winter for northern gardeners. That is, all summer I felt cooped up in the house. It was too hot to be outside or even think about gardening. The only garden chores I did were to cut back overgrown plants and water as necessary. Enjoying the garden by being out in it was out of the question. Now that we have cooler weather, I’m delighted to be outside, to plant and transplant, and to see what is blooming. Summer was my winter, and now it’s playtime in the garden. —Pam
it’s obvious by your great photos that you have gotten used to your new camera(i’m sure it is months old now, time flies)–how are you liking it compared to your old one? i really love your blog and always look forward to the new posts. i cannot wait until i really have a well established garden i love instead of just a few beds here and there, yours always feels so cozy and lived in. i can tell you really spend alot of time in it. i was thrilled when we moved out the “the country” two years ago but the space is overwhelming to plan. one of these days i will get in and in the meantime i have tons of great garden blogs to read.
Hi, Laura. It’s good to hear from you again. Your new art website is a feast for the eyes.
I’m enjoying my new camera very much. It has much better telephoto capability than my old one and more options for day and night—even foliage—shots than I was used to. I still have much to learn about it, if I could just find the time. —Pam