Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Early Frosty Mornings


There was frost in the fields this morning here on the hills. It really feels cold out after such a hot summer. I guess everything weather wise is still running 3 weeks ahead.
Anemone_QueenCharlotte2_Sept22
The ‘Queen Charlotte’ Japanese anemones are the earliest to bloom here and they are finishing up now while some of the others in the garden are just starting to bloom.
Anemone_QueenCharlotte_Sept22
They are a  hardy perennial to zone 4-8.
I have had Queen Charlotte in my garden for several years and it does spread by runners. I have had to pull up several new plant his summer to keep it in check.
Anwmone_Honorine_Jobert_Sept22
Honorine Jobert
Eupatorium_rugosum_Chocolate_SnakeRoot
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ Joe Pye is also in bloom now.
Something is killing my plants and I cannot figure out what is happening to them. Several have just wilted and dried up.
This is a plant that self sows and I have several new ones coming up around these.
Foxglove_Sept22
One of the Foxgloves has graced me with a few new blooms after I cut them back. The rain and cooler weather must have encouraged them.
A plastic birdbath that was so slick the birds would not even attempt it was turned into a planter. In the mostly shade corner it was filled with impatiens to add some color.
Birdbath_Planter2
I got the front porch scrubbed down yesterday after it warmed up a little and put out some Fall decorations. I have really cut back on the decorating this Fall. The Scarecrow is still in the garden shed and I have to get him out yet and that will be about all I am doing.
Everyone have a wonderful week and enjoy those flowers while they are still blooming.
Happy Gardening,
Lona

21 comments:

Balisha said...

Hi Lona...I'll be so glad when my J. anemones send out runners and I'll have to pull them out.right now, this is the best year for them. I can see that they are thriving and will return next year.
The idea for your birdbath is wonderful.
ON fall decorating...I am cutting back too. Just a few things on the porch and mantel and the shelf in the kitchen.
Have a nice day doing what you want.
Balisha

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

A frost? Already? wow. Sure has been an interesting weather pattern. I am encouraged when you say you had to weed out some of the Queen Charlotte anenome....and that it is hardy to zone 8. I was thinking (without researching) that it was not suited for zone 7/8.

Carolyn ♥ said...

L.O.V.E. your Queen Charlottes... you captured them beautifully! They see to be dancing. I'm hoping the frost dosen't come here for a few more weeks. The gardens are looking sweet after recovering from Summer's heat.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lona,

Well, who'd have thought you'd get frosts before us after your scorching summer and our terrible attempt at a summer??!

Beautiful Anemones; everyone else seems to have such good luck with them except for me... One day I too will have such lovely blooms!

HolleyGarden said...

Frost! And after that hot summer, you're now 3 weeks ahead in autumn!!! Crazy weather. Those anemones are adorable. Smart thinking about turning the birdbath into a planter.

Margy said...

Hi Lona, we had a frost too. Hate to see winter coming.
I'll be at the Sauerkraut Fest Sat the 13th - we need to meet up!

Karen said...

Hi Lona, those foxgloves are beautiful, i did a post yesterday with foxgloves, closeup shots show the tiny little hairs on the flowers. It seems to be a lot warmer this spring for us here too, than what it usually is. Happy Autumn.

Anonymous said...

Great idea to turn the birdbath into a planter Lona. I've never done that but none of mine are slick like you say this one was. Your frost is getting close! I'm SO not ready for that yet. The weather is still pretty perfect here & I want to keep the great days in the garden going. Greedy, huh?
I'm starting my fall decorating too but not sure how decorated I'll get!!!
p.s. still waiting for my anemones to open....

Andrea said...

Very lovely capture, they look like paintings.

Kukkaiselämää said...

My foxgloves are also having their second blooming. I like them. They are beautiful flowers, bloom long and are easy to grow.

Nadezda said...

Nice Autumn decoration, Lona! I love the impatience in a container and you put them in different colors. Lovely!

Bonnie said...

I don't look forward to frosty mornings! I'm enjoying the last of my flowers and tomatoes - it will come to an end much too soon. Love your birdbath!!

Lona said...

Balisha: Glad to hear your Anemones are doing so well. I hope you do not get those Blister Beetles eating yours LOL

Janet: You have a lot of room at your home for the anemones to spread. They like a good bit of shade here.

Carolyn: Yes the reprieve from the heat has been nice. The roses appreciated the cooler temps.

Liz: I never dreamed of frost this early either! LOL

Margy: Oh girl we need to meet at McDonald's there on Friday morning!

HolleyGarden: Yes everything just keeps on being three weeks early here ever since spring.

Karen: Oh I will be over to look at those shots!

Andrea: Thank you so much.

Kathleen: Well I hope they open soon for you. I know you are wanting to snap some shots of those beauties.

Satu: I love Foxgloves too and they resow here so easy so I have some in bloom every year.

Nadezda: Thank you and thanks for dropping by.

Bonnie: My tomatoes are finishing up here too. They do not like the cold mornings lately.

Sue said...

Fortunately I don't see a frost in the immediate forecast but it did feel like we went from summer to fall without and transition type weather at all.

On Sunday I had a small garden gathering which forced me to spruce up one last time but now it's time for some plant moving and renovation. The garden will be sleeping soon enough.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hello Lona girl!
Hope you are feeling good yourself!
The weather is too warm today .. yuck .. we need it cooler or should I say "just right for me?" to get things done in the garden .. I have to scrub off the front step too and shine up my pumpkins the mums are blooming away in their pots .. I thought I had one rust and one wine coloured .. they are both rust argh!! haha
The season is moving on for sure!
Our Thanksgiving will be here soon to ! eeekkk ! hahaha
Stay warm and cozy girl : )
Joy

RURAL said...

I find that the thing with decorating is it's fun to put it out, but to put it away isn't.

Love those annemones...so cheerful.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

greggo said...

Beautiful photos Lona. Not sure why you don't have butterflys. I would say the spraying probably hasn't effected the migration.

Janneke said...

I came along your blog and I'm fascinated by your roses, I'm fond of them too. The Irises are also beautiful. But I see you have already the first frost over there in Ohio, so autumn has really started.
Regards, Janneke

Indie said...

Oh, those anemones are so gorgeous! I love the planter - it's so cute! I am so excited about the cooler weather. It means I can get back outside in the garden again. We're not near a frost yet, though!

sweetbay said...

Those Queen Charlotte anemones are such a lovely silvery pink. Can't grow them here, the black blister beetles eat them up!

Wally said...

Gorgeous photos. (I hope you solve your problem soon.)