Bogturtles Garden- October 2023

Always the classic Morning Glory, and dependably late in showing up, here. Perhaps earlier blooming strains exist. But here we have the typically late show from 'Heavenly Blue'. And, as I have said many times, the other sorts here form seed for me. Never this sort. 

 Colchicum 'Waterlily' was growing at the front of the house until a new water line had to be installed. It was lost, somehow, then. Efforts being made to re-establish it have not worked, while the plant is perfectly hardy in this zone. Here we try again. Three bulbs were potted up in this pot, and the more expensive and rarer white flowered sort was put in another pot. Two of these have bloomed and the white sort totally failed. I informed the supplier, and expect no response, not having reciepts to show. And the bulbs are hard to find on the market. After blooming, these two will be moved where they might grow. 

In the shade of the Holly tree, as we leave the house for the vehicles, this Aster is blooming like a sparse wildflower. Given to me, in the true tradition of cottage gardens, by a neighbor. Easily 30 years ago. Her's were in full Sun so they were covered with flowers, as you see them in the markets, presently. The gardeners that served the rich folk, who could have new plants imported from overseas, would take home bits or seeds to their humble homes, and so the cottage garden tradition got started.

The color is accurate, and a pale Lavender. Not blue, as many a nursery seems determined to say. 

Callicarpa of some sort. Just another shrub added and not isolated from the crowd edging the woods in front of the house. Surely a magnificent addition, if allowed to be alone and catered to. Not here. And the insect damage is distracting.  But I understand why the shrub is commonly known as 'Beautyberry'. And the Latin name means 'beautiful fruit'. Glad I have it, but it seems I better get busy with the pruning sheers, as other valued shrubs will soon crowd it out. 

Just appreciated for its silvery leaves, Stachys byzantina,the 'Wooly Betony' or 'Lambs Ears', 'Helen Von Stein' never seems to bloom. Other clones do, but I avoid them. It will die down for Winter, but, as can be seen, the Arum italicum, with its arrow shaped, patterned leaves, will take its place all Winter. 

A rather dwarf form of Phlox paniculata, I believe, given the name 'Minnie Pearl'. Severly browsed, as so much is, by the deer that made pests of themselves in the main perennial bed. The car and truck, parked right there, did not scare them.

Also dwarf and browsed, I cannot say how this Phlox even got in the perennial bed. I would not have chosen pink, while my wife really likes the color. 

Every two or three days, in this season, I use a corded electric leaf blower, and the need is apparent in this photo, but it still looks kind of nice with the leaves strewn. In big jobs and little I sometimes take before and after photos. They can be encouraging, even though I know the work may be soon undone.

The view from where we eat. Able, unfortunately, to see the lawn needs mowing, again, and leaves need to be blown away again. But the huge Viburnum 'Popcorn' is taking on its rust color and by the corner of the porch, the unique dwarf Japanese Maple 'Fjelheim' is turning from green to apricot. The dark Sweet Potato vine in it's pot will, with the potted Hybiscus and Marigold, succumb to Winter. I see that the Holly berries are soon to be bright red. Droves of Robins, probably down from the North, each Winter, will appreciate them. 

Viburnum 'PopcViburnum 'Popcorn'.

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Camellia 'Autumn Moon'.

So when the Lamb's Ears has died down for the Winter, that area of the little main perennial bed will be occupied by Arum italicum. No other area really shows this feature, unless you count the little Crocus, next Spring, that are gone by the time all the other perenials have returned.