We're leaving the Sugar Maples behind now, though we'll have to return to the Norway Maples, whose leaves hang on til nearly December. A great deal of effort has been expended over the past month to 'put the garden to bed' for the winter, with enormous help from our gardener. I'm only sorry that I can't help much.
To take this one example, this wall of our shed was almost covered by a huge Clematis. It's been clipped off and away it went. Let me warn you, different Clematis varieties require being left unclipped or clipped, depending on their bloom pattern, so you need to know what you're working with.
This is one of the Clematis plants that does not get trimmed.
Obviously we depend heavily on our gardener, since I can't do much. He's the nephew of our neighbours, and has been with us since I returned from the hospital. Mrs. F.G. has shared her knowledge of horticulture from the beginning, so he's very capable now.
I just love these seed heads of this Clematis.
the bright orange Calendula and our red Rose are the brightest blooming flowers left in the garden.
All of these photos were taken just ten days ago.
And with this post I'm reverting to my usual loose schedule of posting every other day.
The Japanese Maple is so pretty. Loved the flowers.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on putting the garden to bed for the winter.
ReplyDeleteI like all the photographs you've shared.
Nice to see some colour still and those seed heads of the Clematis are lovely.
All the best Jan
We have no flowers in bloom now but we haven't cut the plants down to the ground yet, maybe next week or the week after. Tonight's forecast is for a hard freeze which will probably be the end of most green plants.
ReplyDeleteNice to see some color left. Looks like the garden is all ready for winter.
ReplyDeleteSuch hard work, glad you guys have help to put the gardens to rest for the Winter! Fall color is just the best!
ReplyDeleteIt has been awhile since we had a clematis, so I forgot about their unique needs.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, we hardly get freezing weather here in western Washington state. It's actually nice to see the change of seasons that you folks have. When we lived in Fargo for one year, when I was four, my brother and I loved the winter and the snow. Looks like your gardens are all tidied up, close to it. Nice to see the fall colors, so pretty, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe wild clematis that grows in hedgerows in this country has seed heads like this. It’s called Old Man’s Beard. It’s also called Travellers Joy. We are still in the middle of autumn.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a lot of work each Autum but well worth the effort to be surrounded by so much beautiful color for nearlyr two thirds of the year. We all benefit from Mrs, Furry Gnomes extensive horticultural knowledge
ReplyDeleteYour garden season lasts a good amount of time. The blooms are lovely into mid-late October! There is something bittersweet about putting the gardens to bed. The plants have died back or have to pulled but there is the promise of next spring's growth too.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is ready for the onslaught by the look of it!
ReplyDeleteOh how i envy you a garden helper. I would so love to be able to have one, but finances won't stretch that far, lol---I think the elastic is about to pop as it is! But it is good that your wife has the help, as it is often pretty heavy work, and would certainly be too much forher alone. And i bet she is not about to give up having gardens. Your garden has been a joy to all of us who follow you, so please thank Mrs. FG for us! And thank you for sharing such good photos all year long.
ReplyDeleteYour gardener has his work cut out for him with Mrs. F.G.'s lustrous garden. I love the Japanese Maple, we had 5 at our London sticks and bricks home when we moved in. However, the landscaper/house owner before us had brought so much home from his work that they were not placed properly and 4 died before we left 11 years later. Our favourite at the front door/porch was gorgeous, like yours, changing colour 4 times with the seasons. I was sad to leave it.
ReplyDelete