October 2014 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Beautiful, Luc - sorry about the slugs, but I'd trade my deer for them.

 

[Tim Ingram]

Super looking plant despite the slugs! Would love to grow more of these gentian species... there is something about reading David Wilkie's classic book on them, and exciting to have flowers like these so late in the year.

[shelagh]

Robert I was checking up on where it comes from and it seems to cover pretty much all of easern USA and Canada.

[Robert]

Robert I was checking up on where it comes from and it seems to cover pretty much all of easern USA and Canada.

Thanks for the information. I like using Asters (also Erigeron, Arnica, etc.) in mini-meadows here and there in the garden. The small types are best for me -  one of the reasons I liked your posting. I'll do some research on the species - and most likely the variety is here in the States.

[Roma]

Looking good.   Salvia 'Amistad'.  I doubt it will be hardy here and there doesn't seem to be any good cutting material on the plant but I'll try a small shoot and remove the flower buds.

[Anthony Darby]

Looking good.   Salvia 'Amistad'.  I doubt it will be hardy here and there doesn't seem to be any good cutting material on the plant but I'll try a small shoot and remove the flower buds.

I've just planted one in the border to replace another plant of a different species that died. They call it "The Friendship Plant" on the label.

[Robert]

A few photos from the garden before leaving for the farmers' market.

[Maggi Young]

A few photos from the garden before leaving for the farmers' market.

Knowing the hot temperatures your garden has endured, Robert, it is astonishing to see the lushness and colour you still manage to have there. Quite a remarkable achievement both for the gardener and the plants. 

[johnralphcarpenter]

I'm still on the Camellia theme; Camellia sasanqua 'Maiden's Blush' and Camellia sasanqua 'Variegata'.

[Robert]

Knowing the hot temperatures your garden has endured, Robert, it is astonishing to see the lushness and colour you still manage to have there. Quite a remarkable achievement both for the gardener and the plants. 

Maggi,

Thank you for the kind words!

Fall here is like a second spring as the plants come back into there prime if they survive the summer. More or less some simple and common annuals and perennials, but for me it is nice and cheery as I walk past this site everyday as I go about my work.

And now, hopefully, I can get over being a dumb offensive American and keep my comments positive, on our love of plants and our beautiful gardens, bring beauty to this planet.

[David Sellars]

First flower on our Franklinia alatamaha  This plant is extinct in the wild and was last seen in the southern United States (Georgia) in 1803.
We have had flower buds on the Franklinia in previous years but with our warm October, this is the first time a flower has opened.

[astragalus]

Quite an achievement, David and such a beautiful tree.  October here has been more like May as far as weather, until very recently.

[Lvandelft]

For the first time in flower in our windy garden:

Cobaea pringlei

Next year it should reach a height of 5 !! meters, when surviving the winter

[Maggi Young]

 How old is the Cobaea pringlei, Luit?

[Lvandelft]

Maggi, I acquired a young plant last year in October, kept it frostfree last winter (well, there no frost at all last winter ), planted out in April and it started new growth in June!
Must be almost 2 years old now. It should be hardy when established and with a cover of  leaves in winter. It comes from mountainous region in Mexico. Last year there was an article by Roy Lancaster last year in The Garden.