easin into the season...

here in the midsouth, we are just starting to sees some fall colors.

it's basicly mostly a lush green here, with just hints of golds and reds...

so i thought i'd better show you what's bloomin now before it's too late...

i took these photos over at C's beautiful home.

i take care of the gardens and holiday decor at this location, sort of a home manager position really, but i call myself "the gardener". that suits me better. Mr. C calls me "the master gardener" with an emphasis on master...you're funny Mr. C.

the "endless summer" hydrangeas are just now looking good for their second bloom of the summer. i love their soft, subtle shading. endless summer, i think not...should be called "twice bloomer"...

mandevilla are gorgeous and i hate to see them go with the first frost. they add a tropical feel to this large courtyard . pink "knockout roses"
line the breakfast room windows and above the pond, a fantastic addition to any garden.


i believe i have planted twelve pink knockouts in this garden. large drifts of color and the repetition of elements thruout really pull a garden together.


continuing with the pink theme, i used a lot of pink geraniums this year...i may winter them over in the garage...

you can just pull them out of the soil and hang them upside down.

in the spring, plop them back in the soil.

i tried this...it works!!

it's hard to believe that this lush almost tropical looking paradise will soon, very soon be so different.

out front... i used layers (drifts) of color for a big impact. the loropetalum in the back layer is starting to turn some really pretty colors, and echoes the colors in the lantana. the purple setcretia ties the whole look together and will reappear next year.

the bradford pear espalier by the pool is still holding on to its green color, but very soon will be changing colors and dropping its leaves leaving a crisscross skeleton (which will be lit with twinkle lights for the holidays). the underplanting of hostas will soon be nipped by the first frost. (thank you little bunnies for snacking elsewhere this year.)

wow, the japanese maples are starting to change colors. my, my, you can't beat orange and blue for complimentary colors!!

lantana is short for this world... hate to see it go too.

cheerful pumpkins have been placed out front.

although i love the change in seasons so much, it's sad to say goodbye to all my work . labor of love actually, but that's one of the reasons i love to garden...

ever changing,

often surprising,

always inspiring.

thank you mother nature...........

it was a very good growing season.

this gardener is very happy.

p.s. my header is a photo from last year taken at radnor lake ...

we are not actually that colorful yet.......