My fall flower garden which is full of eye candy right now. I’ll pretty much let the photos tell the story. At least I’ll try.
A fall collage
The roses are back in bloom. I gave them a shearing in September–later and different strategy these last few years because of the heat and drought. It’s taking a chance to prune so late, but otherwise, I won’t see them bloom much. You don’t get rose bloom in our state during summer. It’s too hot, there’s blackspot, and the roses suffer greatly. Three more succumbed to Rose Rosette, and I’ve planted different things where they grew. You should never replace a rose with another in the same spot. Some would say it’s bad karma. I would say it has to do with the soil.
‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass
One spot got Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass. I looked for it all over Oklahoma and finally found it in Ft. Worth, Texas. Another place got Callicarpa americana ‘Welch’s Pink’ thanks to my friend, Stephen Durham, who found it online. I also put in another Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Gibralter’ bush clover for its softness and late fall color. It is next to the very young pink beautyberry. I hope they will complement each other one day. Right now they are very small. Remember, it takes three years before shrubs and perennials take off and get going. We must be patient in the meantime.
Rosa ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’ is blooming again. I deadheaded her about three weeks ago. I know it was late, but I need to see those blooms.
I can’t say enough nice things about the ornamental peppers. I started ‘Black Pearl’ and ‘Jigsaw’ from seed. Like all peppers, they were pretty easy to start. I kept them under lights, and they are now rewarding me with a last flush of gorgeous pepperiness. Although I suppose you can eat them, I won’t. They would be too hot for this Red Dirt Girl, and I like hot.
‘Jigsaw’ pepper I grew from seed.
I do like the leaves on ‘Jigsaw’ because the variegation is soft and airy. It’s a great foil for the purple and later red peppers.
Alternanthera ‘Little Ruby’ simply glows with the berries from my purple Japanese beauty berry and the summer snapdragon behind.
Alternanthera ‘Little Ruby’ looks purple or red depending upon the light. I can’t say enough nice things about alternantheras. They make my garden glow without a single bloom. ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ is below. I’ve let it grow a bit wild, but you can also pinch it back regularly. This big specimen cam from a small plant in spring. I think I bought it at Under the Sun. They have more Joseph’s coat than anyone else in the city even TLC Nursery.
Alternanthera ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ is another one I’ll never be without.
The front of the house is ready with three, large yellow mums I bought at Home Depot for $6.88 apiece. Yes, you read that correctly. I keep my terra cotta pots in the garage and only bring them out in fall and maybe early spring. It’s too hot here otherwise. Maddie photo bombed the picture. I think she’s cute.
Three, two-gallon yellow mums with pansies brighten a dark corner in the front yard. The trees will turn soon, and it will be a riot of color.
Here’s the front of the house.
Pots in front of the house hold peppers, grass, crotons and pansies. I should have bought larger grasses. There’s always next year.
This is my fall story. What’s growing and blooming at your house this fall?
Dee your fall garden is indeed eye candy…so much color!!
Your fall garden really looks amazing. I need to add more annuals to my garden to keep things going between the aster bloom. Love the pie crust edge on those pots. 🙂
Your fall picks are so interesting. I always forget to plant these architecturally interesting peppers. They have such personality. I love the way the yellow mums brighten up the landscape during fall.
Very nice! I need to perk up my property with some pumpkins, Mums, and other fall decorations. I saw a nifty display today–a combination of tall grasses, mixed Mums, Ornamental Kale, and Swiss Chard! It was lovely!
Hi Dee,
I got your phone message but you said your phone number too fast for me to catch! I’d be happy to talk with you re: community gardening, just call me again.
Lovely blog!
Elia Woods, CommonWealth Urban Farms and Central Park Community Garden
I love looking at your garden photos, they are always so full of ideas. I have looked back through the photos several times and each time I find something new to think about.
Oh thank you so much Charlie. You’re too kind. So, I’d like to heart what you think. If they inspire you, or if you think I’m out of my mind.
Lovely. Your garden looks like a fall paradise. My garden is full of purple these days. Stop by someday soon and see!
I did go by . . . purple and green are sublime.
Just so gorgeous, as always! I was late on the punch to prune, too, but with the heat and drought, I didn’t want to stress anyone out too much. And, in your case and mine, that worked just fine!
Yeah, we don’t always follow the rules, do we Linda?
Your garden does look fantastic~I am crazy about Blonde Ambition! Love the eyelashes and they way they move in the wind. The beautyberry and bush clover are going to look fab as they grow up! Rose rosette is a heart breaker. So sorry dear. xoxogail
Although Rose Rosette breaks my heat, it also opens up room for interpretation in the garden. It’s all good.
Oh, WOW! Beautiful all around!
Why thank you Barbee!
I love your yard and the pics! Being a beginner at all of this, your posts have helped me more than you will ever know!
I’m so glad Jacque. Email me if you need more help. 🙂
Love the fresh emphasis on the fall season!
Thank you Elena and thanks for the retweet. Those help get the word out.
Dee, your garden looks so fresh and cheery! I definitely need more grasses in my life–they add such great texture and movement. I, too, pruned a bit heavily on our few roses, and we’re getting a nice show. Your garden looks lovely! (Love the pots–nice height!) Happy Fall!
Thank you Julie. Everywhere I must remove a rose, I plant a grass. Now, the garden has more movement than before.
Such a bright and colorful garden you have, Dee, it really lifts the spirits! I love everything you have shown, but Blonde Ambition really caught my eye. Grasses are so perfect for the fall garden and that one is so pretty, love the name, too. Maddie is a doll and the yellow mums are perfect to brighten a dark corner.
Thank you Faire!
Love the ‘Jigsaw’. Is it the best ornamental pepper you’ve grown? Hope the book is coming allow well, my dear friend.
Patrick
Hey Patrick! Uhm, is it the best? I’d have to say yes, but it depends upon where you put it. There are some great peppers that have lavender fruit which turns to orange. They are awesome too. I’m trying to find the seed for those. I also like the hot Thai ornamental pepper. It’ll be featured in the book I think. Yes, the book is coming along. I interviewed someone today for it. Lots of work though. Hugs from Oklahoma!
Lovely, Dee. Your trees haven’t turned at all yet, and ours are close to their peak. But ours will soon be bare, and I’ll have to enjoy yours.
You touched on one of the great things about blogging . . . we get to enjoy garden beauty and see pitfalls throughout the country and even the world. It’s better than television. 🙂 Love ya.
Sorry about those roses. Drats! Still, you have great eye candy in the garden. I hope you can take some time to just relax and enjoy it.
Maybe after the book is done?
It looks fab although personally I’m not keen on the yellow mums but then I only really like yellow in the spring. I love your wreath
Oh, thank you Helen. I’m not so keen on them either, but I like how they brighten that spot. It’s just so “green” you know? That wreath was just something I found last year. Love ya!