Fall Flower Gardening

Gardening in the fall, for me, means trashing the annuals that have gone by and deciding when to cut back the perennials. This year, however, two of my friends were horrified that I would trash the annuals.

Elizabeth got two of the tuberous begonias and the geranium. Mary took away one tuberous begonia, two of the ornamental peppers from the back garden, and the three upright fuchsias. They’re happy and so am I, because the annuals have a chance to live on over the winter and be replanted outside in the spring…if they so choose. Not sure if the plants are happy. Maybe Elizabeth and Mary will know more about that as time goes on.

Posted below are pictures of what my back gardens look like now. A little bare around the edges, but, like it or not, before long this will all be covered in the white stuff.

I have to start thinking about setting up the bird feeders, too. I bought two new feeders while I was on the Cape and can’t wait to put them up.

I love this time of year!

 The bee balm above was cut back at the end of July when it was past blossoming. Look at it now. I have a plan for next year to keep it blooming all through August and, maybe, into September while the hummers are still around.

 My neighbor's plant (I think they planted a pumpkin) seems to like my garden best. It was pointed out to me by Mary, that the leaves on this plant that are in my neighbor's garden are past their prime, whereas the same plant's leaves that jumped the fence into my garden look young and healthy. I have no explanation and I can't help it if they like my garden best!

 Look at the bleeding heart, will you! I'm told it should have died back long ago. I have no idea. I just plant them and let God take care of the rest. Of course all the little nature sprites and garden fairies should also get credit.

Only one ornamental pepper plant left in the back. Mary took the other two. Early on in the season I dug one up and gave it to my son, Paul, because the sedum was all over it. 

One day soon, I'll put up pictures of the front garden. It still has lots of flowers. The bee balm in the front seems very tired compared to the back. I pulled out the morning glories and the wave petunias, yet one petunia apparently stayed behind and insists on flowering. But, all that is for another day.