Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, we’ve already had several weeks of below-freezing nights, as well as a variety of other weather conditions. Yesterday started out frosty, then turned foggy and mild. We’re due for another shot of cold air later today, but in the meantime, it’s pouring rain. Fortunately, I took lots of pictures in the garden yesterday; unfortunately, there wasn’t much in the way of flowery goodness. In fact, I could find only two worth capturing. Above are a few blooms of a monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii, I think) with seersucker sedge (Carex plantaginea). Normally, they’re held at eye-level or above, but these formed just a few inches above the ground. At right, the bright yellow flowers of gold-and-silver chrysanthemum (Ajania pacifica, also known as Chrysanthemum pacificum) are pretty much done but still look good, adding dots of color against its silver-edged green leaves. Here, it’s paired with silver sage (Salvia argentea).
I suspect that the folks who selected ‘Frosty Fire’ dianthus didn’t have this in mind when they named it. But still, it’s as beautiful for its frosted blue foliage as for its fiery red-pink flowers earlier in the growing season. Above, it’s combined with the Christmas-colored leaves of ‘Brookside’ geranium. Below are a few wider garden shots. On the left is the yellowing foliage of Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) with the frost-heavy seedheads of pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). The border corner shown on the right includes a variety of other seedheads, including ‘Cassian’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida), ‘Fireworks’ goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), and ‘Dallas Blues’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), anchored by Japanese emperor oak (Quercus dentata) in rich fall color. Below that is the same oak at the end of a longer border out front.
Even without flowers, changing leaves provide plenty of color. Below left is a gold-leaved spirea between ever-brown ‘Toffee Twist’ sedge (Carex) and near-black Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’). And at right, fruits play a starring role: an abundant display of hips on eglantine rose (
And last, below, a combination that will likely look just as fresh a month from now as it does today: the bright yellow foliage of ‘Angelina’ sedum just starting to develop its orange winter tips, paired with the deep purple-black foliage of ‘Obsidian’ heuchera (one of the few heucheras that been dependable for me through our hot, humid summers).
16 responses so far ↓
1 John // Nov 15, 2007 at 7:37 am
Wonderful planting design, textures, and colors–a stunning example of multi-season interest that goes way beyond flowers.
2 Pam/Digging // Nov 15, 2007 at 9:48 am
Forget blooms. You have fantastic color and texture in foliage, as well as an amazing sense of design. Your garden is beautiful, even without flowers. That Gulf Coast muhly and Arkansas bluestar combination is stunning.
By the way, how does that Angelina sedum do for you in PA’s winters? Does it die back? If not, do you give it any winter protection?
3 lisabee // Nov 15, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Fall looks gorgeous in your garden!!
4 Mr. McGregor's Daughter // Nov 15, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Your grasses are beautiful! I also have Physocarpus ‘Diabolo,’ but mine has turned a Ruby Cabernet color (makes me thirsty every time I look at it).
5 Nancy J. Ondra // Nov 15, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Thanks, all, for stopping by. I really appreciate the kind comments.
Pam, ‘Angelina’ is practically bomb-proof here; no sort of winter protection required. In fact, it’s even better in winter, when the shoot tips turn rich orange. I didn’t expect it to thrive in my somewhat heavy, winter-wet soil, but it has performed beautifully and even self-sows.
6 Kim // Nov 15, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Wow, Nan… WOW. I’m echoing Pam: Who needs flowers when you have all of this color and texture already?!
I’m glad to hear that ‘Angelina’ is practically bomb-proof in your area, as that means it will probably be okay in my well-draining soil and fairly similar temperatures. I just bought some and love the chartreuse color–mine hangs out with a purple salvia lyrata instead of ‘Obsidian’ heuchera, but to a similar effect. (Although I believe that I definitely need some ‘Obsidian’ too, after seeing yours…)
Oh, and although I have some amsonia tabernaemontana that I’m very excited about, I think I need a. hubrichtii as well… that color and the fine foliage together is just amazing.
7 Nancy J. Ondra // Nov 15, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Ok, ok–I promise to whine no longer about not having many flowers. But honestly, it was just so gloomy here today that my soggy seedheads and waterlogged foliage simply weren’t thrilling me. I spent much of the day checking out other GBBD posts instead of working, simply to get my color fix. And yes, you need Amsonia hubrichtii. If you’re interested in seeds or seedlings, let me know!
8 Carol // Nov 15, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I also have an Amsonia, but mine is a different species. The blue flowers can’t be beat, and you’ll definitely get a lot of seeds from it.
I agree with everyone else, your garden looks magnificent this fall.
Thanks for posting for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day!
9 Melinda // Nov 15, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Wow, what beautiful colors and textures! I just want to reach out and feel how soft the grasses are! That pink muhly grass is gorgeous… wow.
10 jodi // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:33 pm
These photos are breathtaking! That grass border, and the shot with the amsonia, made my heart ache with pleasure. With so many great textures, who really needs a lot of flowers? The garden looks wonderfully moody, perfect for November.
11 Annie in Austin // Nov 16, 2007 at 1:18 am
The palette is so subtle but so rich – it looks lovely, Nan. Your long front border is superb.
One element you seem to achieve more easily in the north is mystery… maybe it comes with the densely twiggy deciduous trees? Broadleaved evergreen oaks have a different kind of appeal and romance .
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
12 Kris at Blithewold // Nov 16, 2007 at 7:15 am
It was the pink muhly grass and amsonia that made me say “oo!” right out loud. And the border with the rose … yum. (Is it impolitic of me to say I think blooms this time of year are unnecessary? I’m loving the colorful change of focus!)
13 Benjamin // Nov 16, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I’m happy to know Angelina does well in winter. I picked one up at HOME DEPOT of all places in early fall on close out, and it’s already turned orange all over. In fact, a lot of my ground cover sedums–never tried before–have turned wonderful deep reds, bright oranges, and coppers. Hurrah for ground cover sedum of almost any variety. And evryone, get on those amsonia h., they are wonderful plants.
14 Nancy J. Ondra // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Hey, all–it’s great to see both new and return visitors among you. Flower-filled it is not, but “moody” and “mysterious” certainly could describe the garden, at least as it appears in these snapshots. I think the frost-to-fog transition had something to do with it–and yes, perhaps the skeletons of the deciduous trees, as well!
15 Ki // Nov 17, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Everytime I see monkshoods in catalogs I think they are interesting and exotic flowers but have thought they would be difficult to grow. I think they were featured recently in the Horticulture magazine too. I don’t know where I got the idea they had some special requirement to grow but seeing your photo has made me decide that I should plant this species next year. Thanks for the photo.
16 Judy Ringrose // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
I love your grass border, particularly the Muhlenbergia capillaris. Truly beautiful. I have been trying to find the same plant or seed in the United Kingdom, but haven’t managed to find a supplier yet……
Thank you, Judy! It’s a long wait until October for it to bloom, but it’s worth it. I hope you can find some to try.
-Nan