Four Seasons ?

First frost.
This is one of my excuses for loving the four seasons.
Ok....so cold is not much fun.
Just have to make the best of it.

A wonderful time of the year

Where we live and love

To us, the front yard is just for coming and going ...
you know...back and forth from work.
It's attractive, but less rewarding to the spirit.

It's the BACKYARD where we live and love,where gardening,
bird watching and a little bit of peace can be found.
This is a taste of what it looks like even in late November.

Sweetspire Itea 'Virginica Little Henry'.
Thinking about getting another one as a gift to the front or side of house.
Really love the fall colors and the unique flowers come early summer.




Toadlily /Tricrytis is wanting to bloom.
Just put it in the ground about 6 weeks ago.
Don't get it... my other Tricyrtis hirta have vanished into the earth.
These Toadlilies get more indirect sun than the others.




Only a few Cosmos are still hanging in there.
Just the common tall orange ones.
Seeds bought at K-marts many years ago.




Knock Out Rose 'Pink Radcor' keeps blooming...new to the garden about 2 years ago.
Constant Deadheading is good idea for these bushes to look spectacular.
I understand the BIG pruning takes place once a year in late winter or early spring.
Still learning about these rose bushes.

Double Knock Out Rose 'Rosa Radtko'.




Hydrangea lacecap is an old hydrangea and not pruned like it should be.
But it's a keeper because it survives in part shade/indirect sun.

Mophead is another Hydrangea for part shade/indirect sun.





Canna 'Pixie'has a few blooms still,kinda crazy for a tropical plant.




Deadnettle/Lamium. If you have part shade...this is a must!
Foliage all year and small flowers are from spring to winter.





Okame Cherry is not really pretty in the fall but considering it's one of only two deciduous trees that we have...it'll do.

The other is Redbud.




Hosta 'Big Daddy'.
I know all the hostas will soon look rotten and mushy but right now
I'm enjoying the yellow that is starting to turn brown.

Sum and Substance.





Peppers are still hanging in there.





A view from the window. Leaves are still falling...early morning.
This is Heaven to me.

Surprises

Yes, I still have to clean up the yard....
but look closer.
There are a few volunteer Nicotiana sylvestris plants from 2 years ago.

Nature sure is surprising.

Hazy Day-another view

Maybe it needs nothing to the right of the Leyland Cypress.
But it looks soooo empty.
Just not crazy about looking at a blank fence.
Also I do like a evergreen border around the property.
I'll give it about 2 years and the Cypress will block my neighbors window.
...privacy in my backyard is important to me.

It's autumn now so neighbors trees are losing their leaves and it does get sun.
Plus we did have some of the neighbors tree limbs removed that where
hanging in our yard.
Still this bed is SHADE. Rosemary gave me some good ideas which Fer and Donna
agreed with, that I didn't consider.
Like Dogwood or Holly, I think now with this bed NOT being deep shade
any more these may work.
I'm leaning towards Holly.
Love the idea of climbing hydrangea for the fence but it would have to compete
with the ivy...maybe by the birdhouse where there is a small trellis.

Oh...What to do ?

This picture is about two/three years ago before the one tall tree on left came down because of a storm.
Things change.


Below is what it looks like now.
The bird bath is on top where the tree stump stood.
Area to the right of Sum and Substance hosta needs a face lift.

Area's about 10 feet deep and neighbor's tress hang over the entire bed.
It's overgrown with Vinca and English Ivy that keep climbing the fence.
Every Rhododendron put in there for the last 10 years has died.
There is one Barrenwort, Bugbane, Acuba and two yews which I'd like to keep.
Also an unknown tree near the corner which I kept trying to kill..
but it insists to live... sooo it stays. Only fair.
The bed gets full shade/dappled sun in the back and about
4 hours indirect morning sun 3 feet at the front.
Now the question is what to do?
Would like something tall but what will survive in dappled sun...
maybe a big boulder ! Hehe.








Rhododendron



Variety of Hostas



Barronwort (can't find the Bugbane)



Acuba

There are plenty of roots which should be taken out as much as possible,
and the soil should also be built up with compost and top soil...
that's where he-man hubby gets a real good workout.
All the English ivy was removed years ago and we even asked our neighbor
if we could remove it from her yard...we thought the problem was over.
Guess I'll be pulling out the English ivy and Vinca for the rest of my life.

But then still is the question....
WHAT SHRUB/SMALL TREE WILL GROW HERE ?

Go Green...from my garden

Sunny and Chilly

Captures of a sunny and chilly morning.

Just a walk through the woods