Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Grass Is Always Greener

I know that I have said it before. .but I think the best thing about gardening is the ever-changing scenery!! I think the flower colors this time of year just pop with color!! I am still seeing monarchs floating through the yard daily.  This guy I caught nipping off the maximillan sunflowers to boost his energy for the trip!
Here's another picture of our roadrunning visitor.  He perched on top of my decorative birdhouse--don't believe that he will be able to come go in for coffee though!
The grasses are now rustling in the wind.  Their feathery seed heads waving gracefully above the foliage.  This particular grass is karly rose.  I haven't been disappointed with her.  This is probably her mature size, and her deep pink/purple seed heads add some seasonal color.

This varigated grass gets about 4-5 feet tall, with seed heads rising above that.  I have transplanted this variety to several locations throughout my landscape.  Too bad I have no idea what to call it!  It adds winter interest as well. 

Here's a spot of maiden grass.  I suspect that next year will be the year to really see how this little one performs.  It seems to have a pink head too.  You also will see some maximillin sunflowers in the foreground.  These little jewels like our environment here and grow like. .well. .weeds :-)  They were taking over in front of my deck, so I transplanted some to my large flower beds.  It will be alright for them to grow wild there (I think).  I transplanted them in late May or early June.  I am just astounded that they actually bloomed!  They make such a big splash of color!
The fun thing about these sunflowers is that they bloom up the entire stalk before they are done for the season.  I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed in the contrast between this flower and the little blue spruce behind it.

The mums are taking off.  The burgundy ones are a little slow this year it seems.  But the burnt orange, purple, and yellow ones are right on time.  These get my attention daily as I look out my kitchen window across the pond.
The grass only looks greener on the other side. .until you actually get over there!! I promise that if you wandered through my gardens you would find plenty of weeds, dead plants, and other problem spots. .the benefits of having my own blog is that I can edit. .and show you what I want you to see (and provide myself with memories of the good stuff--and not the eyesores)  Look around your neighborhood.  See how bright the colors are, watch how the animals (and humans) scurry around preparing for winter, enjoy the last of the flying beauties before they soon become a memory until next year. 'Tis the season to be thankful!

9 comments:

  1. Surely you can get that roadrunner to stop and come in for some coffee sometime. I'd love to hear his stories! =) What a cool guy to have around.
    That is a very pretty picture! And your flowers are all looking fantastic.
    I've already been looking at the catalogs. It's going to be a long, long, LONG winter. =(

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  2. What a nice post to read this morning. You have some very pretty places going there. Love that road runner. He's too cute. Your grasses are preforming well. Enjoy the day!

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  3. Love the pictures. I really need to get some mums planted in my yard so that I can enjoy them during this time of the year. My list just gets longer and longer....

    Kristi

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  4. Loved all this, Melanie --- the beautiful grasses especially. But also the flowers, and I love the roadrunner! Too cool to have something like that in your yard! :) The best we have are stray cats and dogs. LOL

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  5. You have so much going on in your garden...so wonderful! I can tell how passionate you are about landscaping. I can't believe you have a road runner that stops by now and then! That is so cool! I've never seen one of those before!

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  6. You and that crazy road runner. He sorta steals the show, doesn't he? Flowers and grass remain awsome. Fall is the best! DJ

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  7. I have never seen a roadrunner in Kansas! That is pretty neat! And I LOVE that last picture of the sunflower-looking plant with the birdhouse in the background. (I'm a birdhouse fan and that's a really unique one!)

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  8. Thank you for the garden tour. I have the maiden grass too. It was planted last year by my mailbox, and lo and behold this year it has seed heads. So pleased with it, and it's so pretty. Love the maximillian sunflowers. They went crazy in our area this year.

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  9. Aw, Mel, your garden still looks so good! I just spent the late afternoon ripping out all the tomato, melon, and pepper plants out of my veggie garden. Down to bare dirt for the winter. But I'm getting some mums tomorrow, to cheer up the place!

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