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| Cornus alternifolia, the pagoda dogwood |
As autumn reaches its color climax here in Northern Illinois, the wildflowers that provided floral beauty earlier in the year have put on their fanciest colors for a farewell performance.
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| Cercis canadensis, redbud |
It's not just the trees and shrubs that provide this show.
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| Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower |
Some of the coneflowers are still blooming, but others are getting ready for the big sleep. Nearby, the Joe-Pye weed has its final fling.
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| Eupatorium 'Phantom' |
Many of the perennial wildflowers also are show-offs, even in the shade.
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| Spigelia marilandica and Porteranthus a/k/a Gillenia trifoliata |
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| Geranium maculatum |
One wishes it could go on and on, but all too soon, the curtain closes.
This post is part of
Wildflower Wednesday and the
Fall Color Project 2011.
14 comments:
Way to get the two-fer, MMD! Such lovely photos, like watercolor memories...misty
Frances
Hurray! It's autumn!
Nice! I love Porteranthus stipulatus cousin. They are both beauties. gail
My Pagoda Dogwood never seems to turn this color, more purple. Geranimum Maculatum, since I cut it down after blooming is still very green, really like the red.
Eileen
The other leaves are lovely, but your pagoda dogwood is glorious! Especially against the blue siding, if that's what it is. I'd love to have a fabric like that to wrap myself up in.
Yes, I agree the Pagoda Dogwood is stunning! But the Geranium is lovely, too. I love the way you describe it as "the big sleep." Beautiful post!
You are so right about the fall color in the flower leaves. The native Solomans Seal is a stunner in our garden with it's yellow leaves.
The fall color show in your garden is stunning, MMD. I love the dogwood! The changing trees may get the most attention this time of year, but you've pointed out there is some amazing color if we look more closely at the garden as well.
Beautiful fall colors! The season has been a little more muted than I would have liked but there is still beauty to be found.
Just beautiful.~~Dee
FG - someday, when I learn to paint, they will be watercolors.
Lucy - and not a moment too soon, in my opinion.
Gail - I'd love to see your P. stipulatus. Until your post, I had thought trifoliata was the only member of the genus.
Eileen - how interesting about your pagoda dogwood. All of mine turn that same red. I wonder if it has something to do with the soil?
Helen - that's my fence in the background, and I'd call it green, but my daughter insists it's blue.
PlantPostings - actually, the color of the Geranium is a bit anemic this year. Most years, it's a flaming red.
Lisa - sadly, all the Soloman's seal around here has faded & lost its leaves already.
Rose - the best thing about the dogwood is that I didn't plant it. It's a native volunteer I somehow figured out was worth sparing in my weeding.
ROR - I agree, definitely muted, and oh, so late.
Thanks, Dee.
So pretty! Fall is just starting to show up here in California - can't wait to see some of our own familiar colors (though not quite as brilliant as yours!)
Glorious fall! It shows up so well in your photos. As for that curtain, sometimes it falls fast.
Hasn't this fall been one of the loveliest you've seen? Such color everywhere you look! I hate to see it fading away.
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