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.