I must admit, autumn is not my favorite season. You see, I don't really care for winter much, so for me autumn is just sort of the precursor to what can be several months of cold, damp, drizzly weather that sometimes seems as though it may never end. But even though autumn means that winter is just around the corner, I love the beauty that it brings to the garden at the end of the season and I love the warm, breezy days that let summer linger, whispering away across the hills.
Those are the days that bring scenes like these, of Joe-Pye-weed (Eupatorium) and miscanthus beckoning from across the way--radiant, feathery plumes backed by the rich, warm shades of the Joe Pye passing its prime but still looking stunning dressed in autumnal shades.
With miscanthus being on the invasive exotic list (something I'm going to be blogging about soon) in some states, other scenes just as beautiful could easily be created with native grasses such as Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) or one of the many switchgrasses (Panicum).
Those are the days that bring scenes like these, of Joe-Pye-weed (Eupatorium) and miscanthus beckoning from across the way--radiant, feathery plumes backed by the rich, warm shades of the Joe Pye passing its prime but still looking stunning dressed in autumnal shades.
With miscanthus being on the invasive exotic list (something I'm going to be blogging about soon) in some states, other scenes just as beautiful could easily be created with native grasses such as Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) or one of the many switchgrasses (Panicum).
Other fall favorites include Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite' and 'October Skies', Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry) and the many Anemone x hybridus cultivars whose poppy-like flowers dance in the breeze on long, wiry stems.
More on other great autumn additions to the garden coming soon!
5 comments:
I'm with you, Troy. Not a fan of fall at all. I don't like watching my plants fade into oblivion. I know it's a natural process but it's sad. My Joe Pye is looking similar. Love it. My Miscanthus, however aren't as far along as yours.
I keep passing the Joe Pye Weed in my perennial border, thinking "It's getting ratty...I should cut it down," but hesitating because it has such a beautiful structure. Like you I'm not a big fan of winter, so the longer I can leave those autumn beauties in place, the happier I am!
Lovely photo. Autumn used to be my favorite season. Now I feel like you do, it's just a prelude to winter which I dread.
Marnie
I started to grow Joe Pie Weed recently. So far, I love it. On your picture, it looks great with grasses. Do you ever pinch it to keep it shorter or you want it to be tall?
I love autumn. It's my favorite season. The respite of winter is so welcome and erasing the palate every year like an Etch n Sketch is such a relief.
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