Fall garden treasures

The garden is still giving up some unexpected (& a few expected) gifts. 

A newly emerged Monarch butterfly:

was a complete October surprise.  We usually don't see them here this late in the season.  Thank goodness there are still some blooms left to provide a little sustenance.

In a year of strange bloom times (most earlier than normal) Monkshood is running behind, the buds just now preparing to open:

Excuse the spots on the image (my camera is long overdue for a cleaning, hopefully to be accomplished once the weather turns inclement.)

Meanwhile, (it feels like) Brugmansia 'Ecuador Pink' has been competing with Monkshood to see who could bloom last. 

A risky move...

The only way these little buds will reach blooming stage is by moving indoors!

Foxglove 'Camelot Cream' is reblooming:

the pop of white in stark contrast to the rest of the garden, cloaked in autumnal colors.

Canterbury bells are proving extremely hardy, persisting thru the chilly nights to eek out a few more buds & blooms:

Sadly, despite the continuation of blooms, our fall foliage is now past its peak.  :(

More bare branches are visible every day.  The leafless trees already dredging up feelings of melancholy (what's new?) about the upcoming winter.

Trying to stay in the moment tho, with small changes to reflect the season:

Like a 'Cinderella' pumpkin in place of the birdcage planter.

And a pumpkin filled lantern (instead of an umbrella) on the patio table.

I hope there are a few more nice days because my fall bulb order only arrived last week. 

I prefer not to plant in freezing temps!

Crossing my fingers....

Comments

[PlantPostings]

I'm in that same mood--glad I'm not the only one. I noticed a few surprises today, too, including slow-moving pollinators and still surviving Fuchsias and Impatiens. I even noticed a tiny Hyacinth Bean bud--I'm not sure it will bloom in time before the cold sets in again... Beautiful photos, as always, Kathleen.

[Lona]

It is good to see you still have a few pretty blooms in your garden. Love the pumpkins in the lantern! Have a lovely week!

[sweetbay]

Lovely pictures Kathleen! I wish I could grow Monkshood here and have seen a climbing version at the NC Botanical Garden. But when I tried to grow it from seed from the Garden it was a bust. :(

My camera needs cleaning too but until then I use the retouch feature on Picasa (free software) to remove spots. It works very well.

Love the scene with the pumpkin and the yellow maple!

[Northern Shade]

That's a lovely shot of the butterfly enjoying a late flower. The monarch looks like a stained glass work of art. I've had to give up on monkshood, but I really used to appreciate the late blooms. You have to love the various Campanula for their fall hardiness. They are the few still trying to flower in my garden after the frosts.

I hope you get some nice weather to finish your bulb planting.

[Helen]

Our fall foliage hasnt really started yet, seems a little slow this year. I have had flowers flowering at strange times I think this is what makes gardening so interesting

[Jennifer]

Though it is mild here, autumn seems to be moving along. The trees have turned color and are starting to drop their leaves.
I like your little decorative touches, Kathleen.
My monkshood needs to be moved I think. Though I had read that it tolerates shade and planted it accordingly, it does not seem to like shade at all. It never blooms!
I did not know that foxglove are capable of reblooming-interest to note!

[Victoria]

Very nice Kathleen! Love those pumpkins. What a great color right now.

[RobinL]

Kathleen, I hope you are not pushing that cold weather over to us, because we hit 80 today! But I know the weekend is supposed to be cooler. Darn. I planted my bulbs today, in the heat! What a pleasure.

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

I have spots on my lens as well. Love the Monkshood bloom/buds... great photo.
Nice arrangement with the pumpkins in the lanterns.