"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Happy to see the sun!

What a beautiful fall today we had today. We haven't a whole day of sun for awhile now and what a mood lifter it was. A friend and I had a fun day wandering through a nursery where we noticed most of their plants had been "put away" for the winter already. When I returned home I took a walk around the yard to see how the plants were looking. Some of the trees are really still holding onto their leaves. The cherry tree has finally changed to yellows and oranges, but the apple tree still has green leaves and a few red apples hanging on. I've decided the last apples can be for the birds, and they are enjoying them.
I know November isn't an enjoyable month for many gardeners, but really the colors around here are still looking pretty. We still haven't had frost and I see that the lows this week are still in the 40's, so the remaining flowers and buds still have a chance to bloom.

The Japanese Maple was shining in the sun.

Hardy fuchsia 'Queen Esther' continues to bloom.

I don't think I ever really paid that much attention to the Snowball bush (Viburnum) in the fall before. It's coloring is so pretty, and really stands out. I usually just admire this shrub in the spring when it's covered in it's white snowball shaped flowers.

Sarcococcoa berries are still hanging on from the spring. I guess the birds like the leftover blueberries and currants better than these. This evergreen shrub does really well in the shade and in the winter gets sweet smelling white flowers.

I see something in our yard that actually likes the cooler weather. It's the Water Hawthorne (Aponogeton distachyos). It actually goes dormant in the summer and begins to bloom again when the temperatures are in the 50's. Usually fall and early spring is when the surface of the pond will be covered with these pretty white flowers. It's hardy to zone 6, and grows in deep water like a water lily. I've mentioned before that it supposed to have a vanilla scent, maybe I'll be able to check that this fall.

The pond and the surrounding plants look bright and happy with the sun shining on them.

I mentioned that I was at a nursery earlier today, I was pretty good and only bought a few things. One of which is this Kaffir Lily (Schizostylis) 'Fenland Daybreak'. It's supposed to bloom July through fall. Of course my friend and I couldn't pass up something that looks this pretty now.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another sunny day, which means I get outside and plant my newest additions.
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32 comments:

  1. It was beautiful today wasn't it? That's about the 3rd one we've had this week and I've actually felt good enough to get outside. It was so nice to dig and get dirty! I really enjoyed myself. And you went and bought new flowers - love the Lily. Can't wait to see what else ya bought.
    Hey I'm moving right along in the healing department so we'll have to set another date . . . What more can happen? LOL

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  2. What beautiful pictures. I love how you used the light in your pictures. Very nice post.
    Debbie

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  3. Catherine,

    Never heard of Water Hawthorne, it is beautiful! Now if I could just get the pond cleared of too many water lilies..

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  4. I can't get over how beautiful your Japanese Maple is. I love the Water Hawthorne too.

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  5. Wow - loving the Water Hawthorne - how beautiful - I've never seen one before. Hope it has its lovely scent soon for you!!

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  6. There is nothing better than a sunny fall day. Love the photo of the maple against the blue sky and the kaffir lily is gorgeous. I'm not too familiar with it.

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  7. Your day at the nursery sounds perfect and I love the fall colors in your snowball bush. That is a pretty lily and I look forward to seeing what else you bought. It is so enjoyable to be in the garden on these mild, clear Autumn days. Enjoy!

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  8. The sun sure makes us feel better this time of year. So you did get some new plants afterall! Maby even for a better price as in sale ;-) Your garden still have some godies to enjoy and that Water Hawthorne ended up on my "plants I want list" Hope you'll se the sun today to. Here we have almost storm and the sky is gray. I'll stay inside and maby I'll bake some bread today / gittan

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  9. I adore the water hawthorn- its jsut so simple and beautiful.Fragrance must be a bonus! And as to the Kaffier lily- its name alone has made me want to go and search for one!

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  10. Glad you enjoyed some sunshine and at a nursery with a friend...nice! Your plants do have a nice fallnish to them. Our weather 50/80 split....perfect..

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  11. Glad you had an enjoyable day. The Kaffir lily looks stunning. I like the delicate colours of your viburnum and the bright Japanese maple.

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  12. The sun makes that J. maple simply glow. Did you get some good buys? I got a few yesterday and will soon be planting and moving. Urgh! Never ending. November is a good month for us to do that here.

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  13. Tina and I must be on the same wavelength...I was going to say the same thing. Too funny. That Water Hawthorne is very interesting and pretty. I love that fuchsia!!!

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  14. Everything is so beautiful! The water hawthorne photo looks like it should be a poster for serenity! It is beautiful! I have noticed several of our trees here have changed now....not many though.

    When you get a chance please send me your address. You can send it to me through my Kontact icon on my right side of my blog! Thanks

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  15. That first photo is just breath-taking Catherine. The water hawthorne is gorgeous but darn it ~ not hardy in my zone. I'd love to have one brightening up my pond right now. It's amazing how the sun can perk us up, isn't it? I feel the same way. Enjoy your day planting in the garden.

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  16. November is a beautiful month in your area!!! we didn't get to see much for fall colors here this year...the snow kind of make everything come to a screaming hault!

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  17. Hello Catherine,

    Another great post. I think November makes us enjoy what is still thriving in our gardens. You may have to look harder, but there is still so much beauty there. I am in love with your Japanese Maple.

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  18. Catherine what beautiful pictures in this post. I loved hearing that Northwest "Hey, it's sunny outside" joy in your post. It has been pretty darn nice that's for sure. OK, so I'm running out there right now to check on my hawthorne. Yours is beautiful. I had forgotten all about the flowers and just took it for the leaves.

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  19. It's been a grotty few days here - cold, wet, grey and windy, so seeing your gorgeous photos brought some much needed sunshine in!

    I planted a snowball bush in spring, but I haven't actually noticed its autumn colours ...ooops!

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  20. Catherine the picture of the golden leaves from the maple and the blue skies is such a gorgeous shot.
    No, no one could resist such a pretty lily and a long bloomer adds to the beauty.

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  21. I love the shot of the maple against the blue of the sky. Lovely contrast. So glad you are having nice weather. We are having great weather here too. Mid 70's with ovrnt temps in the 50's.

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  22. Everything shines in your garden Catherine... how wonderful pictures and light!!! I´m in love with your pond... oh!!
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

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  23. Glad to hear that somebody is enjoying sunshine - it really lifts your spirits no matter what time of the year doesn't it ? Hope that you got the chance to plant your new additions today : )

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  24. Well your garden is certainly not ready for bed yet. I love the first shot of the Japanese Maple shinning against the sky.

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  25. Catherine, Your garden is still gorgeous! I love the water hawthorn...a very interesting plant. Oh, I can't wait to get my stock tank set up to be a pond...Maybe next year!
    As I'm typing this I can see the Kaffir Lily again...Now that is a beautiful flower and you've captured it brilliantly. gail

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  26. Glad to hear you are having some nicer weather Catherine. We too are enjoying some wonderful sunny fall days.

    Can't blame you for buying the lily. It really is pretty. I've never seen one before.

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  27. It's funny that you should mention your snowball bush. I was just commenting this evening to my husband that I had never noticed my snowball having such red leaves this time of year. Neat that you would notice yours also.

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  28. I just added the Water Hawthorne (Aponogeton distachyos) to my list of must have plants! It's a real beauty -- thank you!

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  29. Love that first photo, Catherine! Hardy fuschias are one of my favorites...gonna add more next year!

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  30. Hi Catherine, nothing can compare with the color of the sky during this time of year when the sun decides to burn away the cloud cover. Your maples are magnifico and that water hawthorne is amazing. I need one of those! Plant shopping at this time shows us things with good fall interest too. I am waiting for our viburnums to burnish up a bit like yours. :-)
    Frances

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  31. Oh, you have good self-control. If my garden was still putting on color and looking as good as yours, I would have blown the wad. Love that fuschia, it is divine!
    Rosey

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  32. Woah..I am in love with that epic golden leaved tree photo..stunning! Gorgeous post..! Wow, I also love how big you pictures are..wish i knew how to do that too! Lovely post as always..your photos are stunning and there is just so much beauty to behold! Always a delight to visit here!

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