Thankful for fall flowers, cool temps, not deer
Fall was slow to arrive this year. Autumn rainfall has been tardy too, just a smattering here and there. But there’s plenty to be thankful for in the garden, as always. I’m grateful for cooler, yet frost-free temps and the fullness of the autumn garden. Hooray for the charismatic live oaks that shelter it too.
Let’s amble around for a closer look.
On the front porch, a ‘Bloodspot’ mangave has sent up a late bloom spike. The flowers are slow to open now that temps are cooler. I’m waiting to see if it can manage it before the first freeze, which typically comes in early December.
I always bring this planter into the garage when it dips below freezing, but mangaves typically decline after flowering anyway. Go, mangave, go!
The rut continues, which means I see male deer in the garden nearly every day, as well as evidence of their antler-rubbing against yuccas, agaves, palmettos, and young trees — whatever they can get at. I’ve put tall rebar stakes around my most vulnerable plants, and it’s helped. There’s much less damage this year compared to last.
A few doors down, the ladies were congregating.
The does act skittish with the bucks on their heels. On early evening walks, I’m practically dodging deer as they dash across the street, a buck trotting after.
Back at home, in the fenced backyard, all that madness is left behind. The squid agave in the fluted pot is queen of her domain, with a retinue of red flowers (firecracker fern) at her feet.
Last week the forsythia sage started blooming, its butter-yellow flower spikes lighting up the shade.
‘Little Grapes’ gomphrena has joined the party too, and the bees are happy about it.
It’s such a sweet flower at the end of the growing season.
Chile pequin adds color too with its fiery red peppers.
Ghost plant spills over the edge of a squid agave’s yellow pot. Its putty-gray foliage tinged with turquoise resembles an exotic flower.
On the deck rail, a Gulf fritillary caterpillar is beginning to pupate. It better hurry up if it’s going to become a butterfly and head south before a freeze.
As for me, I’m hanging out on the porch with an autumn bouquet of garlic chive seedheads. I hope you’re finding moments of peace and gratitude too. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.
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what an abundance of riches!!! everything looks lovely (no thanks to those randy deer) and SO FULL! the rain has helped here, too, but a feeling of some “skimpiness” still lingers, and many plants are at least a month behind their normal blooming, etc…still, thankful to have anything even alive after these past months…enjoy your porch-ing and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too, LCP. And may the deer leave a light impression on your garden this fall!
Your garden looks fresh and lovely, Pam. I’m sorry the 4-legged visitors are back and causing difficulties. Best wishes for a happy Thansgiving!
Thanks, Kris. I know you appreciate the struggles with critters — raccoons and peacocks in your case. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I love that mangave in your hover dish planter, so fabulous falling over the edge a bit and then sending that bloom spike up.
That mangave is one I grew from a bulbil off a former Bloodspot’s bloom spike, and it’s a pleasure to see how it has matured over time. I hope I’ll get a few bulbils off this one as well.
That mangave spike is a hoot! Everything looks lovely, as always.
Thanks, Paula. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Your yard looks amazing – lush and gorgeous, despite the crazy deer numbers. My garden has responded enthusiastically to the late fall rains and cooler temperatures, and I’m happy to have healthy plants and blooms again. In addition to the rain and reasonable temperatures, I’m thankful for you! Your blog continues to be a source of inspiration and joy. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Thank you so much, Maggie! I’m thankful for you and everyone who takes time out of their busy days to spend a few minutes here with me. Happy Thanksgiving!
On this Thanksgiving day, I’m thankful for Digging!
Your garden is looking great, despite those oversized rodents!! You seem much more calm that I would be in the same circumstances, Pam. I’m glad your back garden is a deer free sanctuary. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, and thanks for the good wishes!
The squid agave in the fluted pot is an inspired combination, ranks very high as a favorite in your garden. I love the “charismatic live oaks” that grace the path with dappled shade. Incredible curb appeal and so inviting. I’m sure you always enjoy the walk towards your front door!
Thank you, Chavli! I do enjoy my driveway garden quite a lot.
That is a huge herd of deer. I hope they go away.
Love all the color and form in your garden.
Enjoy the lovely weather. We have ice and snow now.
I don’t envy you the ice and snow, but we could sure use some moisture here. Thanks for the kind words, Lisa! No chance that the deer will leave the garden alone, so I’ll just have to co-exist as cheerfully as I can. 😉
Forsythia sage is a new one for me. Unusual to see one in yellow.
Forsythia sage tends to be a passalong plant here. In fact, that’s how I acquired it. It’s more common, I think, in the Deep South than here in Central Texas. We’re on the edge of being too hot and dry for it. But it thrives in shade, especially if given summer water, and I’m always happy to see it flower late in the season.
My husband calls the does who gather regularly in the front yards here in Georgetown “the ladies who munch.” Love your Digging!
So appropriate – ha! Thanks for reading my blog, Tracie!