 |
| Black-eyed Susans, a bit of floral flotsam |
Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for October 2015.
Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, the growing season is slowly coming to a close.
While I should be pulling out annuals and vegetables, deadheading rampant self-sowers and otherwise preparing for winter, I find myself pausing, virtually leaning on my hoe, waiting for the first frost to signal to me that this season is really over.
Without that first frost, I think I have more blooms at this point than in past years, but that could just be wishful thinking, a glass-half full view of the garden.
Much of what I see in bloom is floral flotsam, those bits of blooms here and there on plants which were in full bloom earlier in the season, then manage to put out one or two new blooms late in the year.
There are a few black-eyed susans, Rudbeckia sp., peaking out from under the grape arbor. I assume the shade of the grape leaves kept this chance seedling from blooming until now.
In the vegetable garden proper, the back border is still colored by zinnias and marigolds, and the purple blooms of Purple Hyacinth Bean, Lablab purpurea.
 |
| Lablab purpurea, grow it just for the name! |
Had I known how long this vine would flower, I would not have waited my entire gardening life to plant it in my garden. Now that I know about it, I’ll replant it each year.
And I will also keep planting Alyssum along the edges of the vegetable garden beds.
 |
| And the Alyssum attracts pollinators. |
When I tear out the majority of the crops in the vegetable garden this weekend, I will leave the alyssum to grown on until it is covered by snow.
Over in Plopper’s Field, where I plop in perennials wherever there is a blank spot, I love the rusty brown color of the tall sedum.
 |
| Rusty brown is the new “in” flower color, right? |
Though the pollinators are leaving these dried flowers alone now, they are still finding pollen on the Asters.
 |
| Can’t have a fall garden without Asters! |
I noticed in one area of Plopper’s Field there is some common fleabane, Erigeron annuus, growing and flowering.
 |
| A welcome native, self-sowing itself in my garden. |
I remember reading about fleabane in a British garden magazine last year, about how it is a good flower to fill in a border, but if left to go to seed, it can become a nuisance. But it is a nice nuisance, don’t you think?
I am still enjoying the blooms of Dendranthema.
 |
| Dendranthema, the new, better garden Chrysanthemum. |
This is one of the Igloo series, but I’m not sure which one. No matter, they are all lovely flowers.
Another lovely flower is Colchicum.
 |
| Three colchicums walked into a bar… |
These are literally the last three Colchicum blooms I could find in my garden.
What else adds color to a mid-October garden?
The berries of beautyberry, Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ are as lovely as blooms.
 |
| Not native, but the birds still like the berries |
As are the red and black berries of Viburnum x juddii.
 |
| Viburnum x juddii, one of the best viburnums for scent |
Is that the last of the blooms in my garden? Perhaps, but maybe not. I am closely watching the flower buds on some hardy Camellias in the back garden.
 |
| A delight or folly? Time will tell |
Perhaps they will bloom yet this fall?
We can only hope.
What’s blooming in your garden on this lovely autumn day in mid-October? We would love to have you join in for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and show us. It’s easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what’s blooming in your garden on or about the 15th of the month and then come back here and put a link to your blog post in Mr. Linky and leave a comment to tell us what you have for us to see.
And then remember, as always…
“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence
You still have a lot of color in your garden for October Carol. It's hard to say goodbye to the warmer days but fall has its attributes too. Thanks for hosting and happy gardening!
You have such inspiring blooms in your October garden, Carol. I love asters in autumn, although my bee's seem to have gone to sleep already.
Gorgeous! I was hoping that some of my colchicum would make it to bloom day but alas all are gone now. I'm with you on waiting for the frost to let me know that it's time to clean up. On the other hand, things crunch up pretty nicely if left until spring. Any reason to be lazy! Happy GBBD, Carol and thanks for continuing to host this wonderful meme!
Lots of strong purples still in your garden. The Lablab and Alyssum look particularly fabulous!
I am very sorry – I had trouble with Mr Linky this morning and have managed to load myself 3 times on the link list. I have tried to remove two of me, but can't manage it. Are you able to remove a couple of me? It's starting to look like the product of a passport photobooth. Very sorry.
Loving all your purple this month! I must get some colchicums (I say that every year!)
You have so much still flowering, I think we treasure these late flowers as we know it won't be long before the garden goes to sleep. My Colchicums are still putting up more buds, I'm wondering how long it will be before a frost finishes them off.
I love your term "floral flotsam," Carol. Certainly looks like an understatement, though. I guess you too will be getting frost very soon, so I hope you can get outside to enjoy the last few days of the growing season.
We've had our first grass frosts this week, so I'm envious of the amount you still have blooming Carol. Interesting that your Alyssum is purple, I'll be posting about the white version soon – we saw it everywhere on our recent holiday in Jersey.
Thank you for the prompt to remember to plant hyacinth bean next summer. I never got around to it this year and am kicking myself. Good luck with your camellia; I will send warm southern wishes to you for its success.
Rusty brown is the perfect colour for autumn! If it's the new 'in' colour that's fine by me! Lovely collection of blooms Carol and many thanks for hosting Bloom Day.
We both have something in common – a hardy camilla in bloom, except mine is in upstate New York, a zone "lower" than yours. Let's both hope for the future. You still have a lot of color – alas, winter is almost here. Happy GBBD! Alana
I planted colchicum this spring and b=never saw a one…glad I got to enjoy your trio . i am going to try again next year , they are so unusual and pretty.
Thanks for hosting! The hyacinth bean is magnificent, isn't it? Also edible – try the leaves, flowers, and young pods.
Glad to be back on GBBD after several months away.
Carol, Thank you for this opportunity to visit gardens and share mine with your readers. Enjoy the fall and winter and see you next spring.
My New England Asters were a flash in the pan this year – blooming for about one week then poof- they were gone. I see your zone is more accommodating. And you have lots of color left.
-Ray
Your hyacinth bean looks so lovely. I didn't get any planted this year, so I hope you'll remind me to plant some next spring, too. I'm with you on waiting till frost to clean things up–I just can't bear to pull things out while they're still blooming. And if I don't get it done…I'll have lots of "winter interest":)
Glad to see you and so many commenters also have colchicums or wish to grow them. I was finally able to see my Jindai aster bloom because the frost held off. My other asters were done blooming a while ago.
Ooh, excited to see what happens with the camellias. As always, thank you for hosting!
You have quite a bit still blooming. Those three colchicums are gorgeous and the Dendranthema is lush, to say the least! Thanks, as always, for hosting.
Lucky you to be able to grow Camellias in your climate. I'm just a little too cold here (5a) for even the cold-hardy ones. Thanks, again, for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!
Beautiful! I have mums,white allysum, autumn Joy, and asters blooming!
Here Alyssum is also invaluable to feed predators like lady bugs when the aphid population drops. They survive on the pollen. Mine reseeds quite a lot, but its easy to pull. Alas, the beautiful rich purple as in your garden quickly reverts to white.
Enjoyed your post and seeing what blooms in your colder zone–still so much!
Thanks for hosting this blog hop! Your purple flowers look beautiful
Greetings, Sofie
http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be
Amazing that your colchocium is still blooming. Happy GBBD.
This is the first autumn since I ripped out my sad sad Sedum 'Autumn Joy' – I hadn't thought much about them until seeing your photo. Now I kind of miss them.
Look at all those pictures! You have a lot going on in your garden. Yes, hyacinth bean is a favorite here. We love it. Happy Bloom Day my friend.~~Dee
Enjoying everyone's blooms. Wonderful!
"Floral flotsam" – I love the term. That's what most of my garden currently consists of, although cold and the threat of frost isn't the issue here but rather heat and drought. I love that Lablab purpurea and must remember to plant some seeds next year. Thanks, as always, for hosting GBBD, Carol!
I want the beautyberry. Now to find room for it. You know how it is, there is always a plant that isn't paying the rent.
I am amazed how short your growing season is and the wide variety of plants you have flowering. Happy GBBD!
Lovely October blooms. I love the purple berries of the Callicarpa. Thanks for hostong Carole.
Thanks for hosting – always interesting to see what is blooming elsewhere
The beautyberry looks strangely unreal, doesn't it? I don't think I could have one in my garden, but I'd just love the lablab! Will look into it for next year. Thanks, as ever, for hosting.
Lovely blooms. Happy October Bloom Day.
It is such a pleasure to see what is in bloom in different parts of the world, thanks for hosting, Helen! And your garden still looks great, congratulations!
Carol, you have such a beautiful selection of purple flowers and berries this month. Purple Hyacinth bean is a joy and very tough. I forgot to plant my seeds this spring, but won't make that mistake again next May! I hope your Camellia soon rewards you with blossoms. Here are a few photos of what is blooming in our October garden: https://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/still-vibrantly-blooming-october-15/ Best wishes for a few more days of beautiful flowers! WG
Happy BloomDay Carol!It's been so long since I've grown Hyacinth bean. Must rectify !
I'm not sure yet about the common fleabane. It sure does seed around my garden from neighboring properties. It is a flower, but so floppy and always in a pathway. I cut it for arrangments, that may be its only saving grace.
I hope your camellias bloom too! Thanks for hosting!!
The rabbits did not eat my asters this year! I also have a camellia fruit–that's a first.
How do the lablab beans taste?
Your Beautyberry is still so beautiful! Here in zone 9, mine is done, but the Mockingbirds enjoyed them while they lasted. Thanks for hosting.
I love those purple alyssum. Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to scatter some around my own garden.
Happy GBBD Carol! Thanks for hosting.
Your October garden is lovely, Carol. Thanks so much for hosting GBBD. Your outstanding blog deserves all its accolades. And I must say how much I enjoyed meeting you at GWA last month! Pam x
Carol, This is the first year I've had a strong Aster presence in my October garden; and, I agree, they are the stars of the fall garden. Thanks again for hosting. -Jean
I'm really going to have to look into that Lablab – that is one cool plant! Not much is new on my end this month – feel like I've been photographing the same plants over and over again for months.
I was a day late get in my Bloom Day post but we were moving yesterday. I got to post photos of my Heath Garden and my new Greenfield garden. I am very glad to have only one garden, and a smaller garden from now on.
Love your Purple Hyacinth Bean! That would be lovely if you got a Camellia bloom. I do miss Camellias after moving up north. I'm a day late, but joining in. Thanks so much for hosting!
You have such a lot of wonderful fall blooms. Seeing your asters, I realize I need some native ones for our Northwest Territory. Must remedy that. Happy day-after-Bloom Day, Carol!
Hi Carol, I think I'm going to take possession of the last posting again. Between travel and family I can't seem to get my postings organized in time. But I still enjoy taking note of what is happening in the garden. I'll have to take a good look at that purple hyacinth bean. Lovely colors.
I haven't done very well planning blooms for autumn, so my October flowers are mostly the last of the annuals. This time of year, my zinnias and dahlias are putting on a quite a show. But we all know how this ends, don't we? Frost, and it's coming tonight. Phooey. At least my snapdragons will linger for a bit longer.
Apologies for being late this month. It's been a busy week!
Our gardens are at similar stages, we've already had our first frosts but thankfully they have done little harm. Your October garden is looking great Carol. Thanks for hosting.
Well, I'm only a week late. I love to see these posts, so I figure better late than never. I'll try to do better next time. "Ploppers Field, " by the way, is a great name for a garden — or garden bed…. thanks for dreaming this up.