Friday, October 7, 2011

Coloring Up

Symphyotrichum novae angliae (the New England ex-aster) in magenta
No, I haven't fallen off the map, nor have I been without power this last week. I've just been insanely busy. No time to sit and watch the bees on the ex-asters in the Nanoprairie, but hopefully I'll have more time next week. I the meantime, I'm enjoying the peak of autumn color here in Chicagoland as I whiz past it driving to and fro.
Anemone 'Andrea Atkinson' stand sentinel over the woodland, with Maianthemum racemosum (Smilacina racemosa) and Polyganatum showing full foliage color
The woodland garden is once again full of blooms and colors after its mid-summer rest. For the first time in memory, the Geranium maculatum foliage is shriveling more than turning its usual brilliant red. It's also doing it earlier, a testament to the extremes of the past summer.
Other things are performing strangely also, such as the Hosta plantaginea, which just finished blooming. It's usually done by mid-September.
Malus 'Prairiefire' in full color with potted blueberries & Hosta plantaginea
It's already turning, too. Makes for a sort of surreal effect.
There's been a whisper of frost on the front lawn earlier this week, today's high is around 80F/27C, and I've had to pull short-sleeved shirts and shorts back out from the nether regions of the closet. I love fall.

11 comments:

Esther Montgomery said...

You always manage to choose such striking pictures for the top of your posts.

I too love autumn - and wish we called it 'fall' in England. Mostly, I resist words which drift across the Atlantic - but 'fall' is so precise and lovely and 'autumn' is clumpy.

Beautiful tree too.

Don't get chilled in the frost. Frost!

Fairegarden said...

Stunning shots, MMD. The colors of the foliage is breathtaking, your fall is looking gorgeous! Take time to smell the roses, or notice the beauty, anyway.
Frances

Ramble on Rose said...

Things are indeed starting to look beautiful in fall colors around here! I'm enjoying the daily changes as I also drive to and fro.

gardenwalkgardentalk.com said...

I agree, beautiful photos. Our seasons have been topsy turvy too. Hardly any plant has preformed as expected this year. With the dry summer, all the plants are making up for lost time and are slow to start showing color. I cut many back to put them back on schedule.

Gail said...

Lovely photos MMD...You can't beat the pretty ex-asters for attention getting. Hoping life slows down so you can enjoy the Autumn beauty. gail

PlantPostings said...

I know what you mean about whizzing past it. I wish I could stop more and take it all in. Weird weather is right, too. I don't remember an extended period of summer-like weather in October in previous years. It's making everything change so fast here in the Midwest. Your photos are beautiful. Enjoy!

Darla said...

It does seem that every day gets busier and busier. Your fall gardens are looking beautiful. We are also having a rollercoaster ride in temperatures.

Rose said...

Your asters or ex-asters are beautiful; I'm becoming a big fan of them no matter their name. And your Malus is gorgeous! I've noticed everything starting to turn colors here, too; I'm hoping that this year we'll have a spectacular fall show.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I must put in some anemones again, had them in my last garden but never did get around to putting them in this small garden.

Eileen

tina said...

Those anemones rock!

Layanee said...

I know how you feel with no time for bees or butterflies. The frost has not appeared here yet. I can wait. It does seem a bit off kilter this year.