October
![Terraces 028 Wm[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Terraces-028-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
September
We have to look more closely for colour now, but it is there. The far end of the bed isn’t all that bad.
![Terraces 033 Wm[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Terraces-033-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C604&ssl=1)
Astrantia major, Hydrangea (variety unknown), Dahlia ‘Karma Chocolate’, Salvia x jamensis ‘Pluenn’, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’, Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’ and Persicaria ‘Orange Field’
Except the yellow really jars for me there. The day lily is the only original plant left in this part of the border. What better reason to move it.
If I was brave enough, could I put it next to these…?
![Salvia patens 003 Wm[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Salvia-patens-003-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C675&ssl=1)
Salvia patens and Verbena rigida
The astrantia, gaura, persicaria and verbena have been blooming for months, a characteristic to look out for as I continue to fill up the gaps, especially at the left hand end of the border where it’s now looking a bit bare. In the relatively limited space offered by the terraces a long flowering season is a must.
![Rose 'Boscobel' 003 Wm[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rose-Boscobel-003-Wm1.jpg?resize=518%2C756&ssl=1)
Rose ‘Boscobel’ is not giving up.
If the weather stays mild I could get still more blooms from her.
![Rose 001 Wm[3]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rose-001-Wm3.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
The climbing rose on the house wall, whichever variety it may be, is also still flowering albeit at a more leisurely pace.
![Alstroemeria 'Princess Diana' 004 Wm[1]](https://i1.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Alstroemeria-Princess-Diana-004-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C675&ssl=1)
Alstroemeria ‘Princess Diana’, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’
Another two that have been in bloom for months. The alstroemeria is looking a bit ragged now.
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Once again, I’m sorry for the long gap between posts and somewhat intermittent visits to you as well.
Mum’s funeral is next week and after that I want to take a few days out before settling back into the old routine. There’s a lot of work to do too. Other than a bit of deadheading and cutting back I’ve achieved very little on the terraces this month.
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![Hellebore 020 Wm[4]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hellebore-020-Wm4.jpg?resize=516%2C772&ssl=1)
Hellebore
Now what’s this all about? It usually flowers in late winter..
![Geum 'Rusty Young' Wm[1]](https://i2.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Geum-Rusty-Young-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
Geum ‘Rusty Young’
..and the geums in late Spring.
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And if that isn’t batty enough..
![Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis 002 Wm[1]](https://i2.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Persicaria-virginiana-var.-filiformis-002-Wm1.jpg?resize=515%2C770&ssl=1)
Happy Halloween!!
Linking up with Helen’s End Of Month View (here) at The Patient Gardener’s Weblog. Click through to find out what other gardeners are up to this month.
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing; blessings to you and your family. The garden is still lovely. I always look forward to this more quiet time of year.
Thanks Marian. I’ve resigned myself to carrying over a lot of the work to Spring now and it does take the pressure off. I’m enjoying the moments I’ve spent outside knowing that I can’t possibly do it all. I do hate to see the garden decline though, long cold wait until it all returns.
There’s definitely less colour there now than last month, but you’ve still got a lot of things flowering. Hope your mum’s funeral goes well, or at least as well as these things can.
It’s supposed to get quite a bit colder next week, maybe even a touch of frost. The garden will look very different next month I should think. Thanks Jo.
Sending my deepest sympathies for the passing of your mum, a tough time for you all.
I am amazed and somewhat envious that you have so many flowers still in bloom, my alstromeria succumbed to snails many months ago.
Amazingly, alstroemeria is one of the few things here they don’t seem to like. Although I did find a lot of empty shells around when I went through deadheading. Finally, one of the garden creatures seems to be batting on my side! Thrushes perhaps. Thanks Ronnie.
there is certainly a lot of colour to celebrate on your terraces right now. You are wise to take some time after your mum’s funeral, don’t rush, mourning is a necessary time. My thoughts are with you. Christina
I did most of the work this year at the far end so that is where all the colour is. It doesn’t show up so well in the ‘usual’ view unfortunately. The gaura, which I bought after seeing yours, has been a real hit. It hasn’t stopped flowering since!
I’m looking forward to a few days rest I have to say. Thanks Christina.
I’ve seen spring bulbs up nearby. Ridiculous weather. I’ll be thinking of you next week. X
Yes, daffodils sprouting here too. Getting colder next week though. Brrr. Thanks Em.
No apologies needed, Jessica. Difficult times take their time and ours, too. Your blogs, however intermittent, are ALWAYS smile-making stuff. X
You’re too kind Denise. The compliment works both ways! Happy writing.
Dear Jessica….
So sad to hear about your Mum♥️
She is at peace….and your garden celebrates that
Best wishes for next week
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Thanks Linda. There’s been quite a delay, I just need it to be over now.
Our thoughts are with you Jessica. Take care and take it easy x
Thanks guys.
Still sending you hugs…your garden is blooming for you waiting until you return. Are those rose leaves at the end that look like a geranium variegation? Amazing. We have so many of the same flowers still eeking out a few blooms.
The plant in the last picture is Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis. Did you spot the bat in the variegation?
It’s been so mild here, apparently the warmest Halloween on record. Great to see summer perennials still blooming away!
Your terraces are looking great! I love what you’ve done with them this year. Nice to still see so much bright color. I do think the yellow daylily would look good with that deep blue Salvia patens.
I feel far more confident now that the terraces will mature next year into something that looks half OK. There are still gaps, but I shall leave them now and top up with fresh new plants come Spring. It wasn’t until I saw the two photographs together on the blog that I got the idea for the yellow and blue. Very tempted!
Dear Jessica, so sorry to read about the loss of your mom. It must be hard! I feel, it is very important to grieve and to take the time for that, so no worries when you take some time off from blogging. Wishing you that you get through the funeral as good as possible.
Actually, I can’t believe how much color you still have in your terrace beds. They looks fantastic! All your hard work over the last couple of months has paid off. I especially love the dahlia ‘Karma Chocolate’ and the gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’. The latter I really would like to get for myself.
Take good care!
Warm regards,
Christina
The gaura has been a real success, I shall get more if it survives the winter. I have visions of a huge drift of them on the bank, alongside grasses. I’d better find out how to propagate it!
Thank you for your kind words Christina. It won’t be a long break, just a few days with time to walk on the beach and have nothing in the diary!
So much colour still in your garden, it is looking great. I love yellow and blue together, wby not?
If this lovely warm weather would only carry on we would still have masses of flowers in November. That would be amazing.
I have a Helleborus Niger out. Weird isn’ t it?
My best wishes to you for next week. It is such a difficult time for you. I hope you find solace in your lovely garden.
Thanks Chloris. The blue and yellow is definitely on the cards! Something ate my H. niger. Rodent/mollusc/big bird. A real shame because it was a beauty.
I’m surprised that you managed to do as much as you have,
I hope everything goes as well as it can do on such a sad occasion.
If I’ve achieved anything at all this year it’s getting the terraces to be more manageable. It’s taking very little time now to go through and weed/tidy up. Amazing when I think back to the state of them when we took it on. I just hope that as I progress round the garden that will be the case everywhere. Thanks Sue.
The sweet little geum ‘Rusty Young’ seems appropriate to your house, Jessica and I too would like to know what the variegated leaf was. So sorry to hear about your mum. Hopefully the peace of your lovely home will give you some solace and healing after the funeral. Thanks for taking the time to post your pictures! All best.
Hi Cathy. The variegated leaf is Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis. This has been persicaria year for me, I’ve fallen for them hook line and sinker. No doubt there will be more!
Thanks, I’m looking forward to a bit of a rest. A short one.. there are plans afoot. More noise and more mess. Doh.
So sorry to read about your mum, Jessica. Be kind to yourself and don’t expect too much. Grieving is hard, long work. I bet the garden will be a huge solace to you, I know it was to me after my mum died. Sometimes just going out and standing in it was enough.
Yes, I understand that feeling. Although before I know it I have a pair of secateurs in my hand and we’re off. But that’s no bad thing either is it. Thanks Jane.
I think all the plants are having ‘a moment’!! My Christmas Cactus is in full bloom already, – or have I missed Christmas?!! Your garden is looking wonderful and still with so much colour. Take each day as it comes, and I hope next week will give you peace in your heart, knowing your Mum has moved on, going with much love, I’m sure. Take care of yourself X
It’s the roses that have really taken me by surprise, they just don’t stop! The flowers are smaller now and don’t last as long, but the buds keep on coming. I hope we don’t get one big frost and wake up one morning to find it all gone. Thank you for your kind thoughts, good days and bad days.
sending you lots of virtual hugs and a virtual basket of fall blooms (and good thing it’s virtual, because I can just barely pick enough to fill a tiny vase at the moment).
thinking of you.
Thanks Steph. Don’t worry about the blooms, just knit them instead!
The terraces look great….I like it just the way it is! Oh the blue of that salvia takes my breath away….good luck with the funeral, it has taken some time hasn’t it?
I shall be thinking of you.Hugs.xxx
The terraces certainly look better than last year. But gardening is all about next year, so then I will know whether it’s worked or not! I love that blue too.
Oh yes blue and yellow will look brilliant together so take the plunge Jessica or the spade in this case. There seem to be several miscreant hellebores out and about in blogland this year but it’s not surprising that they are confused. I hope that a few days out provides you with some comfort.Take care.
Watching Monty last night it seems it’s not just hellebores. I hope they all recover from their confusion in time for the next proper blooming season. A few long walks on the beach in the pipeline.. thanks Anna.
The climbing rose is exquisite, and I love that dark chocolate dahlia, especially with the pink and white flowers. I’ll be thinking of you next week Jessica, hugs, CJ xx
We inherited the rose, so I’ve no idea what it is but it seems healthy enough. It’s stayed… that says a lot! Thanks CJ.
I found refuge and solace in my garden when my mother and mother-in-law passed away last year. I hope you find it too. Gardens are patient, as well as accepting.
Knowing that colder weather is coming is a bit of a relief in some respects, I can postpone the garden work until Spring without feeling too guilty about it. Gardens are great healers, I have been enjoying the tranquility of the woodland and making plans for next year. I can feel the hairs raising on the back of Mike’s neck already..
I like the day lily with the yellowing foliage on the left. Flowers are done here but leaves may hang on a bit longer if it’s not too windy. Well, just remembered my fall-flowering Witch Hazel is in full bloom.
The witch hazel must be a picture amongst all your fall colours! The day lily is quite a big clump now. I think I will divide it and put one section next to the salvia. In that position it will have another astrantia close by, also with yellowing foliage. It does work doesn’t it.
It’s all looking good Jessica I can’t believe how much you still have in flower – your terraces must be so easy to work being at that level – my knees these days object to too much kneeling. Hope the funeral goes ok – sad times for you.
The front portion of the bottom terrace is easier, and the top level which is slightly raised. The middle level is a balancing act (i.e. not falling off the wall) but the majority of the bottom level is harder. It’s a case of dropping down into it from the middle level wall and NOT forgetting to take any of the required tools, bits of watering system etc etc. Because the return journey involves scrambling back up on to the wall. It’s just high enough to make the manoeuvre difficult!
Hello Jessica, I haven’t commented before on your blog but wanted to say I was sorry to read about your Mum, I hope that your lovely garden provides some solace for you.
Hi Julie, thank you so much for your kind comment and welcome to rusty duck.
It has and it will. Gardens are wonderful places for reflection aren’t they? They also have a way of grounding you and providing distraction. Like this week when we thought we’d concreted up all the holes where the mice are getting into the greenhouse… and they’re still getting in. Back to the drawing board on that one.
Your garden is so beautiful! Thinking of you and hope the funeral goes as well as one can go. Such a hard time.
Thanks Natalie. Will be so glad when it’s over.
Hope all goes well next week Jess, I will be thinking of you x
We’ve had long enough to prepare for it, so I hope so. Thanks CT.
I hope the funeral goes well Jessica, that you feel it does your Mum proud, and do, as others have said, take your time and be gentle with yourself.
I love that salvia patens with verbena rigida, the latter being a plant I really must try harder to grow next year, it somehow always fails for me, but v. bonariensis grows enormous and then bends, drastically, in the frequent winds. I think you still have some lovely colour in your terraces from the foliage, perhaps some more erysium would help with the perpetual but easy colour thing, and I think I want that persicaria of yours, Orangefield… I’m sure I have room for one more…
Janet, have a think about V. bonariensis ‘Lollipop’. It has the same waftiness and flower form as its parent but is much shorter, 60cm. V. rigida (same height) needs a lot of elbow room, it tripled in size for me over last winter.. a bit like persicaria!!
There is still a lot of color in your garden. I was amazed looking at the Sept vs October photos, what a big difference. It all goes so quickly this time of year. I’m thinking of you, take care.
This is the month the garden suddenly starts to look very sad. It is getting cold next week, maybe even a frost. Then I’ll be cutting a lot of it back. Hey ho. When it comes back again next year it’ll be even better.. I hope! Thanks Jennifer.
I would say yes move the day lily next to the salvia but not with that verbena. Why not move it near the alstromeria, it would bring out the yellow in the flower.
Take care of yourself and go with the flow. I am still finding it tough since loosing Dad at the end of August, it creeps up on you.
On the top level near the alstroemeria could work. I’ve always had a problem with placing yellow, but it’s here and it would be a shame just to ditch it.
Sunday is quite an odd day now, it’s when we always used to visit. I’m still feeling I should be going somewhere.
Sorry you have had this delay waiting for the funeral – you will feel more at peace once you are beyond that milestone. Thank you for still taking time to show us what your garden is doing. That colourful close up is gorgeous – is it the salvia that’s pink? Very pretty. I too bought a gaura after seeing Christina’s but mine is an unnamed car boot bargain! Stella is a little out of place as you say – like Helen says, next to the alstromeria looks a good bet.
Less of a milestone and more of an enormous looming monolith, getting past it will be a great relief.
Yes, it’s the salvia that’s pink, part of my half price booty from Rosemoor. As it was in bloom I’ve made the effort to plant it, the rest can wait until Spring. I’m sure your gaura will be fine.
The garden will I am sure be just fine while you take a break Jessica, and be even better next year! Be kind to yourself.
The weather is defeating me now, but if we get a few more mild dry days in November I shall be out there doing what I can. Still got bulbs to plant! Thanks Freda.
Oh Jessica, I have only just seen that you have lost your mum. I am so sorry and hope you are taking time and looking after yourself. Thinking of you, take care. Julie xx
Thanks Julie. It was not unexpected, but it’s still a shock to the system. Hope you are doing OK too, I’m missing your cheerful posts!
Hope all goes well next week it is such a hard thing to go through. You still have some lovely colour in your garden. We have nasturtiums glowing orange in one corner and the cat mint is still flowering as is the second of the clematis we cut back in the spring – so unusual to see at this time of year. Take care:)
I remember you cutting back the clematis, what a bonus to have it flowering again. Thanks Rosie.
My condolences on your mum passing. That must be very hard, so take time to look after yourself.
I’ve noticed a few bloggers now mentioning that October colours are muted and you have to look for the colour. In a way that’s quite nice, as it’s worth the effort to get out there and find treasures such as that Salvia and Gaura, amongst others. That is early for Hellebores, and late for Geums. I’ve got some strawberries not just flowering, but fruiting! The weather is all over the place. I guess something we are going to have to adapt to. Makes for interesting times in the garden.
I didn’t know you could get a Hemerocallis that flowers so late. Is that normal for that variety, or is it a second flowering?
Stella de Oro is a late flowering variety, mid-summer to first frost. I had a picture of it on the November GBBD last year! It’s also much shorter than the typical variety, about 40cms. This clump has got too large, so I’ll divide it in Spring.
Thanks Julieanne.
Lovely to see the unexpected flowers in your garden, I have roses still flowering and some last little buds to open. Hope all goes OK next week.
I just hope the hellebore in particular doesn’t exhaust itself and fail to flower when it should.. I’d miss their exotic blooms in winter! Thanks.
Hi Jessica, you still have some lovely plants in flower in your garden. I think you are right about the yellow lilly and I agree with the others it will look stunning next to the blue and purples. I too am biting the bullet shortly and moving quite a mature pink penstemmon that really clashed with my reds,yellows and oranges this year. I think I have finally found another home for it in a friend’s garden as I couldn’t bear to throw it out. I still have another one though so not all bad.
I hope the funeral goes OK – grieving is a slow process, but eventually the memories don’t make you quite so sad.
I noticed today that the pink penstemon that I moved early summer has just started to produce flower buds! That’s one mighty long sulk. But hopefully it’s now got itself established and I don’t regret moving it. Glad you have found a good home for yours. Thanks Annette.
Sorry that I am so late in commenting. I hope that this week and the weeks ahead go as well for you as they can and that you can find some peace in the garden. xx
Hiya. It seems it turned colder whilst I was away. We got back late last night only to start running round the garden with a torch collecting things up and shoving them in the greenhouse. But on the plus side an acer has turned vivid red! Thanks Amy.
Thinking about you Jess. Enjoyed the end of the month view and seeing the unseasonable flowers out. I have new delphinium growth 8 inches high. Sigh. It’s been much colder today and feels as if frost may be quite likely tonight.
The Gaura was a great surprise to me this year too. It’s really easy from seed and will flower well from an early sowing. Yours may survive outside too as you are in a relatively mild area.
Thanks threadspider. No frost here yet, thank goodness. Even last night the temperatures picked up and it turned to rain. I’ve decided, mostly through laziness, to risk the tender perennials in the ground this year. They will get a good mulch and hopefully being in the lee of the house and terrace walls will be enough.
I am amazed how much colour you still have and the surprises appearing from earlier in the year too. Thinking of you this week. Take care. Sarah x
Thanks Sarah. Looking at the terraces today after three days away it seems there is even more colour now because another dahlia is reblooming. One night of frost though and it will all be gone.
Enjoy your lovely garden and take time for yourself at such a sad time x
Time for a few bracing walks I think, thanks Penny.
Thinking of you at this difficult time. Take time to care for yourself, I am sure the beautiful flowers in your garden will help L-)
Even the roses are still blooming. It’s really quite bizarre. Thanks Cherie.
I am late commenting too, but I have you in my thoughts and sending good vibes to you this week.
And welcome in the club of gardeners with hellebores flowering out of season – you are not the only one. I have one that flowers every summer, as well as in the winter, and I have heard of a couple of other that also have ‘unseasonal flowering hellebores’, seems they can start off at any time. One of my normal winter flowering hellebores start to flower as early as December – but yours would be more of an autumn flowering I guess 🙂
Hellebores seem to like it here. Only one is flowering, the rest are sticking to the normal timetable, but I planted out three little seedlings a month or so ago and noticed this morning that each one has sent up a strong new leaf. It’s the first time I’ve tried growing them from seed, so quite chuffed!
I hope the funeral went well Jessica, relax and take time for yourself,
the terraces still look good to me and you have managed to do more than I, some lovely blooms you have, I like the blue and mauve combination, I also like the plants growing in the terrace wall, a living wall, Frances
Thanks Frances. Since we’ve been back there’s been so much rain… don’t think they’ll look so good at the end of this month. I sink six inches if I put a boot on the soil.
How interesting that the Geums and Hellebores are blooming already! The Roses melted my heart–so lovely. My condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
It’s turning into a wacky autumn and still very mild here. If it stays like this, as it did last year, it will save me a lot of shuffling plants in and out of the greenhouse. I can but hope! Thanks Beth.
Condolences to you on your mother’s passing. Also I wanted to thank you for the detailed labeling of your plants. Not everyone does that and it’s really helpful in thinking about other things to plant.
Thanks John. Getting the full names on to the blog is as much for me as everyone else… it’s a lot quicker finding them again here than having to hunt through envelopes for that elusive, and probably long since lost, plant tag!