Goodbye

The first frost is expected tonight.  Time to say goodbye to my garden pals.


The impatiens planted themselves in many areas of the garden, and in almost every container.   I neglect them terribly because they are not native, but on their last day, I regret the passing of their pink cheerfulness.

The foliage of the beautyberry bushes (Callicarpa americana) will die tonight, but the magenta fruit will persist, feeding the robins and the mockingbirds until Christmas.

In the rain garden, a few remaining flowers of the green headed coneflower thrive in the rich soil.

The purple salvia surprised me by coming back this year, and then by blooming all summer long under the passionvine.  Ragged by November, this plant is loved by bees.

Scorpion weed (Phacelia bipinnatifida) was a new native for me this year.   Here it is still dewy from yesterday's rain.

As I checked the spelling of its Latin name, I just read that this plant can cause a rash, similar to poison ivy.  It is planted beside the carport but has not caused a problem.


The woodbine forms a blue-green groundcover under the oaks.  If given sufficient light, it colors beautifully in the autumn.

Some plants are blooming out of cycle.  Two pink azalea flowers

And a cluster of white abelia flowers are surprises in November.

The lantana was stunning this year, and yet well behaved.  Today will be its last day.  Come back next year, please!

Goodbye my friends.