A few photos of the garden as September turns to October. Where does the time go? The no-dig border below was created fairly recently and was extended back in spring to make it wider and longer. It gets a lot of sun, and considering how intense summer was this year, I think it has fared quite well. However, I plan to make some changes next year to include more drought-tolerant perennials.
Autumn colours are creeping in as the late perennials finish. I don’t cut back until spring, so the seed heads and spent stems will add beautiful structure as the season progresses. However, one perennial that benefits from a summer cutback is Geranium ‘Rozanne‘, and this has really paid off. The plants look entirely fresh again, putting on a brilliant late show that will carry on until the winter frosts arrive.
The sedums (Hylotelephium) and asters are absolutely buzzing with bees. As always, the ornamental grasses are putting on a magnificent show. Deschampsia is one of the first to flower, bringing a beautiful, frothy haze that softly connects the perennials. In contrast, Pennisetum stands out boldly with its striking, bottle-brush flowers. Meanwhile, the Miscanthus tassels will soon ‘blow’ and take on a lovely, fuzzy look. I planted a new variety called ‘Memory’ earlier this year, and it is certainly living up to its name and making a lasting impression!
The tassels have an almost lilac tone to them, don’t you think? It has tripled in size since I planted it earlier this year, just before the drought hit. Keeping it happy through that dry spell was a challenge, but it has come through it beautifully.
Orange-stemmed dogwoods are putting on a dramatic display of bright yellow leaves. Nearby, the three-year-old Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ leaves are changing from green to plum, then on to intense red before falling.
As the days grow shorter, I’m looking forward to watching these autumn transformations unfold. There is a unique beauty in this transition before the garden settles into its winter bones. What changes are you noticing in your own garden this month?
