This being the second summer toiling in the garden at the Casa du Borghese proved successful and pretty, considering I still just plant and have no idea what in hell I'm doing. I can only surmise the ground here must be fertile. The dahlia were bulbs that were planted in very early spring and I'm happy to report that they all did well, after I got the few squirrels from eating the leaves off them as they were getting bigger, by giving them more nuts to distract them. A few rabbits also made an appearance, but how do you hate rabbits? They're like the Dolly Parton of the animal world, everyone loves rabbits. I have to say it's been great to have a garden to play around in. I missed that when I had my little pied de terre in Bucks County. But it is work and never ends. But when you get the results its very satisfying and a sense of happiness to see it. Some of these snaps and others will be in the upcoming Garden Show that the handsome Mr DeVice will be having on his blog . I also suspect that this will be the last of the color...at least till spring.
This Canya along with many roses are still blooming like crazy.
These are the last of the hydrangea that were clipped and brought in for vases. The colors are so soothing.
This purple ballerina was new this year and did very well, but this week it has gone crazy in the cooler weather, upwards of 23 new blooms on it!!! By Sunday I suspect all the blooms will be open. This will be cut back, and it comes back again next year. But the Cassia next to it is also, somehow, still managing to get bigger, although it requires and thrives in heat and humidity and direct sun... yet, also has new blooms. Research shows I either need to get rid of it, as it won't survive the winter, or dig it up and bring it indoors...but it is getting huge! Since I don't know what I'm doing, I may just leave it and see what happens. But back to the ballerina... they smell heavenly.
The salvia are still very vibrant. I suspect they too will be done soon. The colder nights are already yellowing their leaves already. The bees and hummingbird went nuts over the salvia this year and we even added more of them.
Buster Bolfig Borghese enjoys the autumnal sun. I think he also keeps Lilith's ashes company which found their way into her final resting spot in the garden.
I've been most pleased with my efforts this season.
One of the reasons I find autumn somewhat glooming. All the magnificent flora will soon be gone.
ReplyDeleteAre trees here are just now beginning their color change. I suspect that another week or week and a half it's going to be stunning. Once all the leaves are gone then it does get Gloom.
DeleteExcellent photos! I find hydrangeas calming as well.
ReplyDeleteSx
You should be VERY pleased. Amazing autumn garden. And Buster in black and white makes everything pop.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right when it comes the boss they're black and white. His tan is fading in the white.
DeleteHuntleyBiGuy: WOW! Just wow everything looks absolutely beautiful. You should be VERY proud of your work.
ReplyDeleteNow you can see why I need house boys.
DeleteVery pretty. My dahlias and asters, and marigolds are still exploding with blooms... and we're nearly into November.
ReplyDeleteI agree Dave. The Dahlia has got to be the size of dinner plates almost! And it's rare for things to be still going in the garden, like the Roses , marigolds and Zinnia , considering like you , almost November
DeleteSo, so beautiful! Love the bee too!
ReplyDeleteI knew I had to include that photo for you.
Deleteyou live in a paradise!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely. Is your purple ballerina a Datura? If so every part of it is poisonous/hallucinogenic, so don't ingest too much of it!
ReplyDeleteYes it is Datura Purple Ballerina. I've been using its toxins and cookies, which I plan to send to the republicans in Congress!
DeleteJust use a fake name on the parcel!
DeleteIt's gorgeous! I wish flowers like those would grow here. 'Course, if the climate continues to shift and we continue to get the rains like we had this year --- which brought a nasty, nasty new breed called "urban mosquitos" --- someday flowers like yours probably will thrive. Bye-bye desert.
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot to have you give Buster a hug from me!
DeleteEven though my allergies say otherwise, I love those plants.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics, sweetpea! I have to agree with Robzilla re: allergies. We had some marigolds in the house for an early Halloween party and I could not stop sneezing. They were just too pretty to toss, so I just carried Kleenex with me and my inhaler! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMany don't like the scent of the marigolds...but I do...and they are a good natural repellent to keep knats and other flying pest away.
DeleteFall blooms are the BEST!
ReplyDeleteLOVELY!
ReplyDeleteI think I have a similar approach: I plant and then I’m surprised that the plants actually popped up! But these are absolutely fantastic. Love the marigolds! So jealous. I tried planting some and they died. I’ll try again next year.
XOXO
Sixpence
I think marigolds lile almost full sun. That's about the only thing i follow when it comes to planting. If it needs full sun, full shade , or part of both.
DeleteThose blooms are all fantabulosa, my dear! From experience here, dahlias and salvias will carry on flowering until the frosts come with a vengeance (and for us in London that has been as late as January some years!). I'm particularly taken with that Datura "Ballerina"! Somehow I doubt, however, we'd be able to give them enough sun, given the encroaching shade from the ghastly weed trees in neighbouring gardens... Jx
ReplyDeletePS I need to get my proverbial arse in gear and start sorting our garden photos for Mr DeVice's Garden Photos Event...
Me too Jon otherwise Mr Device will have us both in detention. The Datuna was the surprise hit this summer!!! And that comes back every year. I couldn't believe the blooms it yields. Eventually it will need a pole or trellis to climb up once it gets bigger...as it tends to grow like clematis.
DeleteThose dahlias are gorgeous! As is the Purple Ballerina. I'm sure I'll be seeing them and some of your other growth in my in-box quite soon. If not, detention it is. And I am very strict - and handy with a cane, too! (Which may be handy for your Datura...)
DeleteGorgeous fall colors; I love it all.
ReplyDeleteYou must have two green thumbs!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning photos - - and Buster is a sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteJon.....he'll be 17 next month!!!!
DeleteTheres so many things I want to say that I just dont know where to start!
ReplyDeleteIts all perfection.
Your season is much longer than ours. We had a frost a few days ago which finished off the dahlias.
All the flowers are done apart from some cosmos.
I used to plant ornamental cabbages but the local woodpigeon thought they were delicious and so were shredded in no time.
Buster looks absolutely amazing.
I cant bear to deal with my Lottie s ashes just yet. They are still in the woodland box they came in.
You knew I'd love this post, didn't you! X
I did, and thank you for the compliments. Coming from you and Jon above that is High Praise, you too being very good gardeners. Well when Lily passed we got our ashes back and March. And she sat in her box until August. I finally thought well she used to love lounging in the backyard and I thought I'd be the perfect place for her resting. I plan to have her name carved in a stone and placed where we buried her. Of all the dogs I've ever had my mother is Lily was probably the best dog I think I've ever met. She's probably more obedient than even Buster, but that is a close the.
DeleteYou fall bloom, before hibernation sets in.
ReplyDeleteWow, you say you don't know what you are doing, however I see a green thumb and expert.
ReplyDeleteAll pure luck...trust me...but thank you for the compliment JM.
DeleteTundra Bunny here...
ReplyDeleteYour autumnal garden is beautiful, Maddie! The large pink dahlias are stunning -- as are the hydrangea blooms! I've had a soft spot for blue hydrangeas for many years (I can only grow the blue silk variety, LOL) but your pink ones are lovely too. And what a sweet photograph of Buster -- is he as laid-back as he appears or does he bark at everything and chase squirrels and rabbits in reality?
Buster thinks everyone is his friend!!! He doesn't chase or bark much at all...unless there is a siren....then the beagle side comes out. The Dalhia were huge...almost the side of a dinner plate. And I never know what im getting with the hydrangea color. Every year the same bushes....the flowers are different colors...it depends on the acid in the soil...the temps and the heat of summer. Never know what we're getting.
DeleteSeriously beautiful pictures!!!!! I am fascinated by the Datura "Ballerina flowers. I would try them here too, but I doubt they would do well. They are very pretty though.
ReplyDeleteYour efforts have paid off Mistress. That is quit ethe autumn garden. I myself can't be bothered when fall sets in and stop watering altogether. The dahlias are stunning.
ReplyDeleteI remember my gardens would last into the autumn. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the garden going this late in the season ever....except for maybe the salvia, zinnia and dahlias Spo. Well, the dear pansies hang on...but then they like the cold.
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