Garden Photo of the Day

October in Alice’s Garden

Checking in on the fall garden

potted pink and white mums in the garden

Today we’re paying another visit to Alice from Sweaburg in southwestern Ontario.

After quite a time of not being able to do much in the garden, things are looking up for me. These are some photos I took on October 1. In some ways, beginning of fall is my favorite time. The colors seem even nicer to me than they do in the summer. It has been very dry this year, and the voles and Asian beetles have wreaked havoc with some of the plants. The voles ate some hostas and sedums, and they died. The roses were eaten by the beetles. My autumn clematis got bitten off right at the stem; it grew back but has barely a flower. At least it is still alive. And the rabbits chewed off nearly every leaf on one hosta, but it is still alive too.

garden bed on edge of driveway with pink flowersThis lavender-pink sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, Zones 3–9) is lovely and different from all the others I have. I will be splitting it in the spring to make more. What a thankful plant. The hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, Zones 3–8) seems to have found its happy spot. I moved it three times over the years. It has always been rather spindly, but over the last two years it has seemed to be a happy plant.

close up of garden bed with flowers and ornamental grassesThis mum (Chrysanthemum hybrid, hardiness varies by cultivar) is a survivor. I planted it as a fall mum; sometimes they live, sometimes they don’t. The lavender (Lavandula × intermedia, Zones 5–8) is flowering for the second time because I trim it down a bit after the first flowering. It makes the bees very happy at this time of year.

rock and gravel garden with various shrubsLavender blooms with supporting garden players and beautiful rockwork.

potted pink and white mums in the gardenI got these lovely mums from Costco. I tried planting similar ones in the garden before, but they did not live. These are in a pot.

small angel statue on a small tree stumpThis angel sculpture is covering a tree stump.

round garden bed full of fall flowersIn this side view of the garden, sedum, blue fescue (Festuca glauca, Zones 4–8), and Annabelle hydreangea look great as fall arrives. In the foreground is threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata, Zones 3–9), which has finished flowering.

garden bed with large hosta and purple ornamental grassThese hostas have been planted in the hopes of covering the bare bottom of this shrub. They did not disappoint, taking off like crazy. The purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Zones 9–10 or as an annual) is a favorite of mine.

close up of purple and red flowers in the gardenAnother favorite, blue salvia (Salvia farinacea, Zones 8–10 or as an annual)

close up of colorful ornamental grassThis ‘Little Bunny’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’, Zones 4–9) was a gift from a gardening friend.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/11/2022

    All the fall colors are so lovely.

  2. garden1953 10/12/2022

    Beautiful gardens! Thanks for sharing.

  3. sheila_schultz 10/12/2022

    I love the sweeps of different textures and colors, and when you add in all the the rocks, the overall visual is excellent! No wonder all the wanted and unwanted critters enjoy your property!

  4. jos29803 10/12/2022

    Alice, your garden is lovely, and the colors are so relaxing, but my favorite item is your rocks. I love rocks in a garden, it feels so natural. Great job!!!!

  5. [email protected] 10/12/2022

    Thanks for sharing your pretty garden. I also am enjoying a second (smaller) bloom from my lavender plants. I guess I cut them back at the right time!

  6. btucker9675 10/12/2022

    Such a pretty garden and it's so full of Fall beauty!

  7. User avater
    simplesue 10/13/2022

    Absolutely gorgeous!

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