The long, slow slide to the end of this growing season continues. I always figure October 10 for our average first frost, but there’s been none yet, and there’s no sign of any for the next 10 days, at least. It’s been great for ripening seeds, and the cooler temperatures have made it a pleasure to tackle some outdoor projects, as well as to simply enjoy what the garden has to offer.
So many features go into making this such a rich time of year. There are late-bloomers flowering for the first time; repeat-bloomers putting on a second show after taking a break in mid- to late summer; and long-bloomers that have looked good for months and are still going strong. There are gorgeous warm-season grasses; lovely leaves—many starting to turn showy colors; and an abundance of fruits, seeds, and seedheads. With so much going on, is it any wonder this is a wonderful time to be out in the garden? If you have time for a virtual stroll, I invite you to join me for a view of some gems this season has to offer here at Hayefield.
Starting with the plants that have been flowering non-stop since mid- to late summer (or longer)…
Centratherum intermedium (Brazilian bachelor’s button) 
Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Variegata’ (variegated cockscomb) 
Gomphrena haageana ‘Strawberry Fields’ (globe amaranth) 
Gomphrena haageana ‘Mandarin Orange’ (globe amaranth) 
Dactylicapnos torulosa (Chinese climbing bleeding heart) 
Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) 
Tagetes patula ‘Moldova’ (marigold) 
Pentapetes phoenicia (scarlet pentapetes) 
Ipomoea nil ‘Fuji no Murasaki’ (Japanese morning glory) 
Ipomoea nil ‘Sazanami’ (Japanese morning glory) 
Ipomoea purpurea ‘Crimson Rambler’ (morning glory) 
Ipomoea purpurea ‘Jamie Lynn’ (morning glory) 
Ipomoea ‘Sunrise Serenade’ (morning glory) 
Ipomoea x multifida (cardinal climber) 
Solanum pyracanthum (porcupine tomato)
Other flowers blooming now are making a return appearance after a few months’ break.
Antirrhinum majus ‘Black Prince’ (snapdragon): peaked in early summer, but it’s producing a few new flowers now 
Celosia argentea var. spicata ‘Xantippe’ (spike celosia): these are self-sown seedlings from plants that peaked in midsummer 
Centaurea americana (American basket flower): a surprise seedling, either from last year’s patch or possibly from this summer’s blooms 
Cuphea viscosissima (blue waxweed): I cut these plants back to about 6 inches in early August to give the plants behind them some sun, and they have come back even better than before 
Lathyrus chloranthus (yellow sweet pea): Not sure how this ended up where it emerged in July, but I’m glad it did! It started flowering in early September and is very happy as the temperatures have cooled 
Nicotiana mutabilis (flowering tobacco): Another one I cut back hard in midsummer, and again in August 
Persicaria capitata ‘Afghan’ (pink pinheads): produced a few flowers in early summer, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that it really popped 
Tolpis barbata (European umbrella milkwort): from a July sowing 
Pseudofumaria lutea (yellow corydalis): looking lovely again after an August trim
And then, there are some new things putting on their main show in the last month…
Aconitum carmichaelii (azure monkhood) 
Aster tataricus (Tatarian aster) 
Begonia grandis (hardy begonia) 
Corydalis ochotensis 
Crocus ochroleucus 
Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower) 
Lespedeza repens (creeping lespedeza) 
Salvia reptans (West Texas grass sage) 
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (aromatic aster) with the foliage of Rubus cockburnianus ‘Goldenvale’ (white-stemmed bramble) 
Symphyotrichum pilosum ‘Hayefield Variegated’ (frost aster) 
Symphyotrichum puniceum (swamp aster or purple-stem aster) 
Trichostema dichotomum (forked bluecurls): a cute little native annual 
Passiflora incarnata (maypop): an unexpected flower on one of this year’s seedlings
Some foliage highlights right now:
Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas bluestar) 
Arundo donax ‘Peppermint Stick’ (giant reed) 
Borago officinalis ‘Bill Archer’ (variegated borage) 
Cyclamen hederifolium seedlings 
Gossypium herbaceum ‘Nigrum’ (black-leaved cotton) 
Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco): variegated seedlings! 
Phacelia purshii (Miami mist): I finally have seedlings of the true native Miami mist coming along! 
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’ (golden hop wafer tree): Though my long-established tree died suddenly a few years ago, I was able to germinate some old saved seeds last year, and one of the nursery-bed seedlings is even producing a few blooms right now 
Rhus copallinum (winged sumac) in fall color
What would fall be without the bounty of fruits and seeds?
Asimina triloba (pawpaw): I was able to collect seeds this year! 
Basella rubra (Malabar spinach) 
Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Issai’ (purple beautyberry) 
Canavalia gladiata (sword bean): I really hope these pods ripen before we get a frost! 
Capsicum annuum ‘Fish’ (fish pepper) 
Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats) 
Clematis glaucophylla (whiteleaf leather flower) 
Eragrostis tef (teff) 
Filipendula rubra (queen of the prairie) 
Ilex verticillata (winterberries) 
Liatris pycnostachya (prairie blazing star) 
Luffa aegyptiaca (luffa gourds) 
Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (switch grass) 
Phaseolus vulgaris ‘Nonna Agnes’ Blue’ (pole bean): Aren’t these beautiful? The seeds that ripen in July, August, and most of September are a boring tan color, but the vines keep producing pods for months, and those that mature in cool conditions are a gorgeous blue (brightest when fresh) 
Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’ (contorted hardy orange) 
Sesamum indicum ‘Kingoma’ (sesame) 
Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw viburnum)
It seems likely that we’ll end up with a freeze before mid-November, so I’m figuring this will be my last Bloom Day for 2021. I’m going to take a break from posting for the next two months, probably, as I still have many dozens of new seed listings to write, and I also want to finish filling out my library of seed-starting information. I do hope to write some plant-related posts after the first of the year, if time allows.
And oh, due to the overwhelming interest in the test-gardener program I announced in my late-summer seed newsletter, sending out those seeds is going to take the place of my usual seed giveaway this winter.
As always, my thanks to you all for visiting today. I wish you a long, beautiful fall in your own garden, and a restful winter too!
Thanks for another very enjoyable tour, Nan!
I appreciate you taking the time to visit, Sandy. Have a beautiful day!
-Nan
Nan, as always, your garden photos and plants are so inspiring! My Monk’s Hood and Pineapple Sage are blooming now too. In the Smoky Mtns. here and a freeze expected Sunday night. I’ve been trying to get things moved around in hopes of enjoying some a while longer. I must have missed your notice about test gardens. I hope it goes well. I know it will be fun for all involved.
Hope you have a good winter.
All the best
Jean
Happy Bloom Day, Jean. Ooh, I haven’t grown pineapple sage for several years, and you’ve reminded me that I should try it again next year. Thanks!
-Nan
As always, a beautiful collection of photos to wake up to. Thank you for sharing your garden.
Thanks for stopping by, Carol. I hope you and your garden are enjoying a lovely fall.
-Nan
As always, I come away from this post with a list of plants I want to grow next year.
Frost is also late here in the Chicago area. A few irises are blooming again. And i saw a lone firefly a month after they’d finished their season. It’s both wonderful and terrifying.
Hey there, Erin! It’s interesting that you mentioned the out-of-season flowers. Just last night, I saw some open flowers on the forsythia, and a few other out-of-season flowers as well. But oddly, my remontant bearded irises did not rebloom this year. Go figure!
-Nan
I always look forward to your monthly notes and photography. Many thanks.
Hi Linda! Readers like you make it all worthwhile. Thanks for taking the time to visit today.
-Nan
Wonderful eye candy!
Thank you, Judy—and happy Bloom Day!
-Nan
So beautiful! As usual I am adding things to my “must grow” list, and I broke down and ordered a rubus “Golden Vale” before I even finished reading your post! Thanks for the inspiration.
Lucky you, Gabriella–‘Golden Vale’ is almost impossible to ind here in the US. It’s a beauty, but keep an eye on it, because it likes to send out long canes that easily tip layer to produce new plants. (That’s great if you want to share but means it can form a large, prickly patch in just a few years if not supervised!)
-Nan
I always love to take a little e-tour of your garden. Very interesting and beautiful blooms this autumn! Thank you for sharing Nan! Greetings from France
It’s a treat to hear from you, Marilyn. I always think of you when I see the Silene gallica variety you shared with me. I hope all is well in your world!
-Nan
Many thanks for all of your time and dedication in putting these wonderful photos together and sharing them in a great format. Every time I scroll through one of your garden gleanings, I always see something new and enticing. Grow on!
What a nice thing to say, Kimberly. I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment. See you again in 2022!
-Nan
I always enjoy seeing your garden, Nan, even the flowers I don’t have a hope of growing. The dark blue-flowered morning glory (‘Fuji no Murasaki’) is magnificent and may be something I need to try. I’m definitely planning to try the Maximilian sunflower next year – if my local botanic garden can grow it, I should be able to as well.
Hi Kris! I highly recommend ‘Fuji no Murasaki’: here, at least, it is far more vigorous and floriferous than any other Ipomoea nil selection I grow. The Maximilian sunflower is also a beauty, if you have the space for it.
-Nan
As always your pictures are a visual treat…eye candy. I live in Zone 7, and my yellow bleeding heart vine makes it through every year, but it always has a late start. It is iffy here, but yours does fine in zone 6. I love seeing all your different plants, and love the combinations you create. Now to reread your post with a tablet, to write some plants I would love to have. Thank you for taking your time to write this article, I really appreciate it, and have forwarded it to many of my gardening friends.
Thanks so much, Judy! And in regards to the vine…what you have, I imagine, is Dactylicapnos (Dicentra) scandens. D. torulosa looks very similar but is an annual species, so hardiness isn’t an issue.
-Nan
Nan, thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with us again. I live in Montgomery County and I love to see what plants do well in your garden so I can try a few new plants in mine. Thank you for taking the time to share all the details of the plants in your garden, especially the asters, since I am planning to plant more asters in my garden! Gorgeous pictures!
Hello, Christine! I’m so happy to enable you with some new plant ideas for your garden. The asters are definitely a good choice. The bees will thank you!
-Nan
Good morning Nan, I had a smile on my face and a pen in my hand seeing all the flowers that are growing and blooming in your garden so late this year. It’s been a wonderful gardening year for me, still have lots of dahlias and cosmos in bloom. I went crazy with a huge blue annual salvia from seed too and they are still going strong. Only a few wood asters and purple dome left, the tall asters are done. The pink colchicum are having a banner year too. Got a light frost so no more cucs and zucchinis but still have tomatoes in the same garden, strange. The late fall mums are coming on, some I grew from seed a few years ago. The Montauk daisies are finally blooming after years and years, probably as we had so much rain. Lots of fun still and the leaves on the trees are just gorgeous now. Like a giant garden when I go for my walk. Good luck with all your projects! You are a busy girl. Love seeing your posts, have a great day! TTFN…Sue
It’s always so nice to hear from you, Sue! I’m so glad you too are enjoying a long fall; your growing season is so short that every extra day is a precious gift. Have a beautiful day!
-Nan
Delayed frost here, too. I can hardly believe it, and in a way it’s almost too bad, as now I know what I’ve been missing when Jack Frost trashes my garden by now most years. As usual, you have many plants I’ve never heard of. Those blue beans seeds are something else!
Hi Kathy! Yes, the long fall is wonderful in many ways, but ugh, its kind of too warm down here for October. We finally got a bit of much-needed rain, and I’m looking forward to more seasonable temperatures ahead. The ‘Nonna Agnes’ Blue’ bean seeds that have matured in the past week are a sort of blotchy gray-blue, not the amazing, almost iridescent blue that the nights in the 40s brought out.
-Nan
Your gardens and photography are always an inspiration. I always learn so much from you and save your newsletters to enjoy and study over the season. Thank you so much for sharing your gift and knowledge.
Thank you so much, Dee. You made my day. Happy autumn to you!
-Nan
Hi Nan, Thank you so much for brightening my day, with your wonderful photos of your lovely garden. Here in NW England it is raining very heavily, has been doing for a few days, more to come, so it was an extra pleasure to tour yours. Again thank you. All the best Nan for Autumn, and the future. Hope to see you again in the new Year.
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear you are having a dreary spell, Allan. I wish I could send you some of the glorious weather we are enjoying right now. May you enjoy brighter skies soon, and a restful winter in preparation for the new growing season.
-Nan
It’s always a joy to see your garden, Nan, throughout the year. I can almost feel my breathing slow like a meditation, scrolling through all the pictures. If you don’t mind, I wonder if you could share how many years it took for your paw-paws to produce that delicious fruit? I planted two mail order plants almost two years ago — they’re now waist-high and of course, have yet to bloom — and I can hardly wait! Thanks for providing us with such pleasure and inspiration.
Aw, thanks for saying that. Regarding the pawpaws…they were probably 2 years after germination when I planted them, and it took the largest one maybe 5 or 6 years after planting to start flowering. I didn’t get fruit for a few more years after that, though, until the next-largest one started flowering and I could start hand-pollinating. I hope that yours grow speedily. Sounds like they have settled in well!
-Nan
Everything here looks quite nice!
I have some Solanum habrochaites flowering at the moment.
Solanum laciniatum is still flowering a bit as well.
Giant Hyssops are still flowering too.
Morning Glories aren’t flowering as much with the colder temperatures.
Hey there, Garrett. The solanums really do keep going, don’t they? I miss the morning glory blooms now but am very glad to see their ripe seedpods!
-Nan