Fall Color

Fall color was a little elusive this year as October was the wettest on record for our area. We didn't get to enjoy as much as we would have liked. There are a few fleeting moments, however. Since I'm recovering from a crazy trip to Mexico City (and yes, food poisoning on the way home to complete the cycle), I thought it might be nice to review some golden tones of warmth and comfort this time of year usually brings.

This hydrangea, yes - hydrangea is really showing its stuff. I don't know what variety it is as it was here on the land before our time. It's a paniculata variety, I do know that.

A bit of yellow on a Japanese maple. I was considering removing this early on but I might end up keeping it after all. In the background the big leafed maple is starting to change. The leaves have since all turned golden and completely dropped since our return from abroad.

I realize it doesn't look like much in this photo, but the Spirea betulifolia or birch-leafed spirea, a native shrub, does really have some nice year-round interest. The green of it in spring is perfect, followed by sweet white flowers throughout spring and summer and now, a bit of a glow for fall.

This detail shot shows it more clearly. It's lovely when the sun shines through it.

This is my fabulous neighbor's maple. It was electric this year! Thank you, neighbors, for having such fabulous gardens to look out across to.

The neighbors' fruit trees are also turning blazing colors. It's fun to watch the deer come feast on the apples this time of year.

Not only maples have color - sometimes succulents change, too. Here, Sedum spathulifolium 'Purpurea' changes from shades of mossy green to bright red.

The locust tree planted by the former owners turned rich yellow this fall. It's a curious tree, we really enjoy it, despite its odd shape and location.

Another Japanese maple turning colors.

I show this image to illustrate the way the seed heads of the rudbeckia add to the ambiance of fall. This meadow/prairie plant would be incredible in a mass, I am hoping it seeds around a little. A short-lived perennial at best, it's still charming on the outskirts of my garden.

The ol' dogwood that was in a half barrel container at the old house is quite happy being planted in the ground, thank you very much.

Even though they are not my favorite trees, the big leafed maples can be fairly majestic. They put on a pretty good color show this year.

The shifting weather brings amazing sunrises. Mount Hood can just be seen in this shot.

The sunrise brings pink tones to the garden this time of year.

Aah, my mystery pumpkins. We ended up having three really good sized ones that did not turn color. That's ok, we enjoyed watching their progress and will grow some intentionally next year.

This has nothing to do with fall color, but since I'm feeling not quite myself, a  little humor is in order. Here Hobbes and a doe decide this is close enough. Note Hobbes' tail, all poofed out. It was an amusing scene, him inching towards this other weird giant cat. The deer came closer, but was eventually bored with her new playmate and eventually returned to her family, close by and watching every move.

Right now the color on the cascara trees, the cotinus or smoke bush and others is incredible and falling fast, but I don't have the oomph to go out and photograph it right now. You'll have to trust me on that. I must apologize for the short, not so amazing post this week. Hopefully we will all return to our usual vital selves soon and be back on track with more garden adventures.

That's it for this week at Chickadee Gardens. As always, thank you so much for reading and commenting. I love hearing from you all. Until next time, happy gardening and enjoy that fall color out there, wherever you are!