As Autumn Sets In

Photo of Dahlia taken with cheap cell-phone camera creates an unexpectedly beautiful watercolor effect.

Oh dear. It has been awhile. Various issues amongst those close to me have caused some melancholy and stressful times lately. Health issues on my end are rattling what little peace I ever have; I feel I am too young for this, that and the other. But tests don't lie, and while nothing is imminently life-threatening - it is clear the "infrastructure" is not solid, and that is very disturbing - and depressing. As all gardeners of a certain age can attest, freedom of movement is so important, and now it seems a good dose of pain-killers will be required before any major garden "work-out" is attempted.
Osteo Bi-flex is my next hope for some relief.
Promises, promises.

Now, how boring was all that, eh? Happily, we have had only 2 frost warnings so far, and neither of them materialized. My Dahlias are happy about that!



Dahlia - Purplicious


Flowering Maple I grew from seed several years ago, blooms yellow in the summer, and in the fall the flowers are tinged with pink - so lovely.


Fresh rain on Acidanthera leaves....


also known as Peacock Orchid...


I grow these (bulbs) every year just for this time of the season - they smell heavenly!


Sweet Dahlia duet - grown from seed, which always means happy surprises.


Dahlia White Perfection survived the coming night's frost warning,
the little bee was taking no chances, as he tucked tightly in.
He survived too.


Huge dinner-plate variety - it glowed at dusk like a moon.


Another Dahlia from seed - a beautiful colour with variations.



Dinner-plate Dahlia Peach Brandy was enormous, and glowed like the sun from a distance.


Rudbeckia triloba - the star of the late summer/autumn garden.


Amaryllis Dancing Queen produced 2 very out-of-season blooms on a very short scape, only 2 inches.


She looked divine in the afternoon sun.


Dahlia Fire and Ice - a striking contrast.



Last but not least - and still in bloom - Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis). Sweet-smelling, they open at my place more around 6 or so, and in the cooler weather stay open well past morning. I save the carrot-like tubers every year, and also grow new plants form the easily collected seeds - that look like tiny grenades.
(Hmm - I suspect I said all this last year at the same time :)


This variety is called "Marbles" featuring what is known as
"broken colours".



Visitor? Resident? Stray?
Who knows for sure!
But Rascal sure likes to lounge in the sun-porch!





Sweet Dreams!