Garden Bloggers Bloomday Oct 2017

 For the first time in several days I have been able to spend at least some time out in my garden, with frequent trips indoors where the smell of smoke from the ring of fires around us has been mostly closed out. Until yesterday, going outside without a mask on was unthinkable . Winds that came up to fan the flames further in the hills ironically cleared smoke out of the valley for a small respite.  Winds have died down again this morning which is a huge plus for the thousands of firefighters working the lines .

 Our temperatures have been warm and there has yet to have been a nights that is close to imposing the first frost, an event that seems to come later and later the last few years. What we truly need is the first rain, and while there is some slight chance of rain for our far north coast late this week it does not seem to be on the agenda for wine country.
  Nevertheless, the garden always gives and there are a few floral gifts still to be had.

 Clematis Arabella will keep blooming until frost, and this years summer cut-back experiment was a success. Clematis foliage can get a bit ratty here in mid-summer, so I decided to try some modest pruning, and as you can see by the fresh green of the leaves in this photo  all turned out well.



 The unnamed Sasanqua Camellia is in full bloom .




The roses are putting forth what will likely be their last big flush of the year.

'Fair Bianca' has escaped my rose digging shovel even though she is rather a scraggly thing , in a poor location. The plant is quite small and as she doesn't take up much room I am letting her stick around for now.



' Golden Celebration'


'Prospero'


 'Brass Band'


'Sombreuil'



Geum 'Totally Tangerine' was bloomless for most of Sept and I assumed it was done for the year , and didn't begrudge it a rest since it bloomed non-stop since February. To my surprise it grew a couple more flower stems this month.



The Sedum purchased as 'Indian Chief' may or may not be that cultivar. What ever it is, it bloomed really early, flopped as Sedums are wont to do, and them began blooming again in the fall from  the splayed-open center.


Pretty sure this is Sedum 'Bertram Anderson' -since I buy just about any Sedum I find I do loose track.


Phygelius 'Moonraker' . I have given up trying to dig it out and instead I use the shovel frequently to keep it in bounds. At least I can say it blooms heavily and never looks bad.



Cuphea micropetala.


Late season bloom on Verbascum 'Dark Mullein'


I love my Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' so much, it gets 2 photos this month.



The fabulous Panicum 'Heavy Metal'



Sanvitalia procumbens, a great edging  plant .


Be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for more October blooms.

Comments

  1. I can't believe how many roses you have with spectacular bloom, Kathys! Your 'Golden Celebration' puts mine (in a large pot) to shame - maybe I'll have to find a place for it in the ground somewhere. Your clematis, and frankly all the blooms you photographed, look great too. I'm glad you got a break from the smoke smell. I couldn't stand the smell here and all we had to suffer through it for part of one day so I can't conceive of an entire week of it. I hope the firefighters get the fires up there under control soon and, for both our sakes, I hope no new fires break out during the current dry spell.

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    1. Oh yes Kris, you really ought to put GC in the ground, but be advised it gets big ! But those flowers...nothing quite like them. We have the possibility of some rain coming in on Thursday and I hope it shows up-in any case I am escaping to the north coast for a few days starting next weekend and look forward to some fresh sea air.

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  2. Happy you and the firefighters got a respite from the wind. Our niece of Meadowood drove her little family out and away from the smoke for a few days, though she was coordinating work matters via phone.

    'Blonde Ambition' is endlessly photographable. Your 'Arabella' is killing me, want that! Growing up through 'Golden Celebration', can you imagine?

    Do we have the exact same roses? I have all of those--well, gave up on 'Fair Bianca'. One or two flowers a year didn't seem worth the water. 'Bolero' is not quite so exquisite, but it always has flowers. I think you have that one, too.

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    1. Yes , I do have Bolero, a unplanned impulse purchase that I have never regretted. I plan to give it some supplemental water next summer-I'm pretty stingy with the water on my roses. I don't know why I keep poor 'Fair Bianca', it will likely go if I need the spot for something else.

      Work matters were a challenge last week-spotty or zero cell service, internet outages etc etc. Fire containment improves daily, no wind and maybe some rain on Thursday.

      You should try Arabella Hoov. Got mine from Joy Creek. Not a twiner , but blooms every bit as long as Rooguchi.

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  3. So sorry about the smoke, I remember ours from back in August. I didn't wear a mask but I maybe should have, I coughed every time I left the house. I should have sent you my last 'Blonde Ambition.' It's one grass that has been very unhappy in my garden. I love the colors in 'Brass Band.'

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    1. 'Brass Band' is such a great rose. If you are so inclined I highly recommend it. Smoke is not fun.

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  4. I suppose that's progress, not needing a respirator to go outside. What an ordeal. I've had to give up on 'Totally Tangerine,' and I'm still pissed about it. Looks like it loves you!

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    1. I've had crappy luck with Geums in the past. I think the spot is key-I bought another one so we will see if it does as well. Morning sun, late afternoon shade.

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  5. So sorry about the horrible fires but glad that you're okay. Glorious blooms despite the awful smoke!

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    1. the ashes fall but the blooms soldier on !

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  6. Lots of lovely blooms yet to enjoy in your garden. Here's hoping you get to be out there more to do so...

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    1. I'm skipping town for a few days on Saturday. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how oppressive day after day of smoke and ash is.The blooms will still be here when I return but hopefully the smoke won't !

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  7. Hi my first time here. I love that Cuphea micropetala, we don't have that here though. And your grass flower shots, i love them, in fact i have also one in my post.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting! I loved looking at your Hoyas.

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  8. Very impressive rose blooms for October, I especially like 'Brass Band'. And your 'Blond Ambition' looks like it absolutely loves your garden.

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