Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, we’ve already had several weeks of below-freezing nights, as well as a variety of other weather conditions. Yesterday started out frosty, then turned foggy and mild. We’re due for another shot of cold air later today, but in the meantime, it’s pouring rain.
Fortunately, I took lots of pictures in the garden yesterday; unfortunately, there wasn’t much in the way of flowery goodness. In fact, I could find only two worth capturing. Above are a few blooms of a monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii) with seersucker sedge (Carex plantaginea). Normally, they’re held at eye-level or above, but these formed just a few inches above the ground.
Above, the bright yellow flowers of gold-and-silver chrysanthemum (Ajania pacifica, also known as Chrysanthemum pacificum) are pretty much done but still look good, adding dots of color against its silver-edged green leaves. Here, it’s paired with silver sage (Salvia argentea).
I suspect that the folks who selected ‘Frosty Fire’ dianthus didn’t have this in mind when they named it. But still, it’s as beautiful for its frosted blue foliage as for its fiery red-pink flowers earlier in the growing season. Above, it’s combined with the Christmas-colored leaves of ‘Brookside’ geranium.
Below are a few wider garden shots. First, the yellowing foliage of Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) with the frost-heavy seedheads of pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) in the courtyard.
The border corner below includes a variety of other seedheads, including ‘Cassian’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida), ‘Fireworks’ goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), and ‘Dallas Blues’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), anchored by Japanese emperor oak (Quercus dentata) in rich fall color.
Below that is the same oak at the end of the longer border out front.
Even without flowers, changing leaves provide plenty of color. Below is ‘Limemound’ spirea (Spiraea x bumalda ‘Monhub’) between ever-brown ‘Toffee Twist’ sedge (Carex) and near-black Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’).
And below, fruits play a starring role: an abundant display of hips on eglantine rose (Rosa rubiginosa).
And last, below, a combination that will likely look just as fresh a month from now as it does today: the bright yellow foliage of ‘Angelina’ sedum just starting to develop its orange winter tips, paired with the deep purple-black foliage of ‘Obsidian’ heuchera (one of the few heucheras that been dependable for me through our hot, humid summers).
For more November color, see the main Bloom Day post at May Dreams Gardens.
