The first half of November, when these photos were taken (November 12th, to be exact), was unusually mild. So even though I missed Garden Bloggers Bloom Day by a mile (well, okay, only 9 days), I’m going to post these photos anyway, so I can remember this mild November when next winter comes around.
The foliage on 'Dark Towers' penstemon glows ruby red.
'Glacier Blue' euphorbia is looking a little shaggy on the bottom, but the upper part of the plant still sparkles. I just wish this would overwinter! Not likely as we've already had a low of 4F, and it's only hardy to 0F.
Speaking of glowing, these golden feverfews were doing just that.
I can't ever remember having colchicums bloom this late. It only takes one hard freeze to turn them brown, but there always seems to be a fresh one opening up.
The Siberian iris foliage remained attractive with its burnished tints.
The spunky Johnny-jump-ups continued to bloom on, despite being nibbled.
Leave it to the intrepid hellebores to be sending up new growth in the face of winter's onslaught.
Somewhat protected by neighboring Siberian iris foliage, this 'Tapestry' heucherella maintains an understated elegance.
Frosty Pearl euonymus keeps its good looks throughout the winter.
In the colder temperatures of late autumn, one can see that the black pansy is actually deep violet.
Bergenia has a reputation for looking good in winter, and Lunar Glow lives up to that reputation
Variegated bulbous oat grass wins the award for unspoiled autumn foliage. It looks as fresh as it did in spring. (It does look bad in high summer.)
That was then, this is now
The day the pictures above were taken, the low temperature was 30F (-1C). Eleven days later, the high temperature was only 27F(-3C) and the low was a record tying 12F (-11C). And these are all official temps. At our place the thermometer read 4F (-15F), not 12F. And over the past weekend, we got some snow:
Autumn was nice while it lasted . . .
About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day
Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in the comments of May Dreams Gardens.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Kathy,
I am trying to catch up with the blogs I’m following, and glad I made it here. You did still have a lot of nice looking foliage and some pretty flowers!
High of 34F for Thanksgiving Day
Twitter: @GardenWReport
Hi Kathy,
Glad to read the weather was mild for you not too long ago. What is Thanksgiving day supposed to be like in your parts?
Shirley
Twitter: @susieshomemade
Ours are done too:-)
Thank you for all the kind comments. Debra, how sad you thought you needed an invite! Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is for everyone who wants to join in.
Twitter: @dkprinzing
hi Kathy, it’s nice to know Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is *forgiving* enough to allow some give and take in the calendar. Kinda the way I remember birthdays. I always thought I had to be invited to participate in tht phenom. Now that I know what a meme is, I will try and remember to play with you on dec. 15th. and oh, stay warm! debra
Twitter: @dlynz
After a mild fall it seems we are getting winter early – it looks like Christmas morning out there today! Grasses in the winter are one of my favorite sights.
That Penstemon is worth growing for the autumn foliage alone. I’m seriously tempted by Bergenia ‘Lunar Glow.’ I have Bergenia, but that one is so different. Please post photos of it when the snow melts to show how it holds up after winter.
Beautiful blooms Kathy! Love the feverfew.
Twitter: @Annieinaustin
I enjoy seeing the ‘Tapestry’ heucherella again – it’s hardy enough to come back in spring, I hope?
This is a good record to look back on, Kathy – even though “spunky” and “intrepid” can take a plant only so far once the North wind blows.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
It’s nice to remember what was, and remember how quickly “winter” can take it away from us. Thanks for joining in, even a few days late!
Carol, May Dreams GArdens
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