October 2011 in the Northern hemisphere

[Paddy Tobin]

Great display, Freddy.

Paddy

[Panu]

Not that hardy, at least here :I

[johnw]

Thanks for identification freddy.  I had been cleaning magnolia seed all day yesterday (and today) so my radar was working.  One of the batches I just cleaned and washed was tripetala x hypoleuca (formerly obovata), it's a spectacular big-leafer too with slightly broader leaves and adds a real tropical touch to a garden.  The sound of rain on the leaves is wonderful.

No snow here but rain at times very heavy since midnight, now the wind is picking up and will hit 100km/hr.  Sorry to hear of all the tree damage to our south. We had a similar event to that just experienced by the east, back in the late 70's - 8-10" of heavy wet stuff - and the damage was phenomenol.   I understand southwestern, central and northern New Brunswick got snow and 10,000 are without power.  Helen should be okay we hope.

johnw

  

[Tim Ingram]

We can't quite approach those fantastic colours shown by freddy but they have turned out to be good this year, most arriving just in the last few days, although the virginia creeper in the birch tree in the first photo has been looking good for a couple of weeks.
I am always struck by how good some herbaceous colours can be - amsonias are brilliant, as are many hostas. I wonder how many gardeners really plant for autumn colours?

[Natalia]

Last autumn crocuses ...
On Saturday, the temperature is projected to -3-5 оC.

[ruweiss]

My plants of Clematis ranunculoides are now in their second year from seed and made shots up to 1.7 m.
Many buds have formed, but I fear, that the coming harder frost will kill them.
Has any other forumist some experience with this nice plant?

Due to the extraordinary warm weather we experienced during the last weeks the buds of Clematis
ranunculoides continued to open, as the pictures of today show:

[Maggi Young]

So pretty, Rudi ..... a good colour to have in flower this time of year.

[Lesley Cox]

That is a beautiful plant Rudi and if it's a little tender is well worth giving some protection. I hope it continues to flower well for your enjoyment.

The seeds of Clematis napaulensis which I mentioned earlier are now harvested and a little dried so they won't go mouldy in their packets. Those who contacted me about them should have their packets sent within the next week. Which reminds me of a couple of others I've to send as well. A tiny bit of leftover Asteranthera ovata has germinated, the pot stood in water and so too was a pot with 20 seed of Crocus pelistericus. 18 are up and growing well. I've taken them out of the water but am watering them each day.