Fall flowers before an early freeze
Well, fall perennial color was pretty while it lasted. Austin’s first freeze arrived 3 weeks early last week and took out all my plants in full bloom, including forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis) and white mistflower (Ageratina havanensis).
I have friends whose Salvia madrensis is still blooming, so clearly my garden is little colder. I took these photos before the freeze, enjoying the pale-yellow and creamy white combo of forsythia sage, white mistflower, ‘Sparkler’ sedge, and squid agave under the oaks in the back garden.
In the sunny front garden I planted for my neighbor, Gulf muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) and autumn sage (Salvia greggii) were in full bloom before the freeze, softening the muscular arms of a large whale’s tongue agave (A. ovatifolia).
A hazy scrim of Gulf muhly in flower beside the strong-armed whale’s tongue agave
On the front porch, a potted succulent – a mystery plant to me – is blooming for the first time, dangling chandelier earrings of peach-pink flowers. I was so surprised to see these flowers when they appeared a couple of weeks ago. I’ve had this plant for many years, and it never bloomed before.
Along with other cold-tender small succulents, I brought it into the garage before the freeze.
When the freeze came early I was sorry to say goodbye to fall’s flowers. But on the upside, fewer bugs! And boot and scarf weather!
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The muhly grass and agave are a great combo. Love the contrast in colour and texture.
That’s a classic look in Central Texas, Pat. Easy and bulletproof.
Yep, the slightly (zone 8a) early freeze here in east Texas was a surprise and had me racing to cover certain plants. My Salvia madrensis is now a blackened shadow of its beautiful self, but I feel confident it will return from the roots. However, I’m happy to see winter because it means a slowdown and I need a break. Happy gardening!
Yes, it should definitely return next spring from the roots. I do wish I’d had a little longer to enjoy the flowers, which bloom so late in the season, but that’s the way it goes some years. Enjoy your gardening break, Laura!
I love that yellow Salvia, which isn’t one I’ve ever seen here. That succulent is intriguing but I can’t place it either – I’ll have to do some digging to see if I can ID it (pun intended). The flowers look somewhat like those of the Australian fuchsias (Correa) but those don’t have succulent foliage.
Have a happy Thanksgiving, Pam!
You too, Kris! Salvia madrensis is such a late bloomer, and I always enjoy the blooms when they appear in late October and early November.
Your garden looked so pretty in these pictures. Everything is frozen here. We are having a cold fall.
The weather always keeps us guessing, doesn’t it?
Your succulent flowers look like Cotyledon orbiculata.
But the leaves, and hanging basket style are new to me.
??
Maybe this?
http://www.crassulaceae.ch/de/artikel?akID=29&aaID=2&aiID=E&aID=2874
Neither of those looks right, Diana. But thank you for the good guesses!
Always looking for season extenders _and_ light yellow flowers or foliage, I’ve been seized by the idea of a hardy Salvia madrensis. It’s taken a deeper hold after several seasons of pictures from your garden, accompanied here by long, warm falls with late frosts & even later freezes. This year’s first freeze was a hard wallop of reality (17Fwut?), but hasn’t knocked the picture out of my mind.
Supposedly a hardier-than-typical S. madrensis selection named ‘Dunham’ has been growing at Longwood Gardens for several years (though maybe via successive cuttings rather than the original plant?) It was originally introduced by Plant Delights, from a plant that had proven hardy in a Raleigh garden (z7b mostly). Don’t know exactly when PD offered ‘Dunham’, but doubt it was for very long. It hasn’t showed up in my searches so far, but maybe someone out there will spot it at a public garden plant sale. It might be that it’s growing at PD’s display/botanical garden, just not being propagated; should get down there to check it out.
That’s interesting to hear, Nell. A hardier version would be a good seller, I would think. Hope you are able to find it!
The salvia, sparkler sedge, mistflower and squid agave make an inspiring combination! I’m always on the lookout for good shade plants for the Austin area, and have been meaning to add sparkler sedge. I think this has cemented the idea for me.
Your new website looks nice, too!
Thanks, Maggie! The combo is very reliable. You can add heartleaf skullcap and chile pequin in the mix too.
My white mistflower has not had flowers on it yet so no butterflies like last year.
Is it the hot weather? I do have tiny green buds so I keep hoping for butterflies.
White mistflower usually blooms late in October through early November for me. As long as you have green buds, I think you will have blooms coming soon.
Thanks for encouraging me. I so enjoy reading your posts!
You are most welcome! Thanks for reading Digging!