Diascia back in bloom!

I'm a huge fan of Diascia (Twinspur). This pot bloomed hard all spring until the worst heat of summer, but now, even after a beastly hot summer (spent in the shade of the front porch) this little beauty is back in bloom and covered with delicate pink flowers. I love it because it tolerates the shade and blooms at least 5-6 months of the year. I'll bring it inside when the nights get too cold and enjoy it for a few more weeks, but you can be sure Diascia will be on my wish list again next spring.

Maiden grass heads out

The maiden grass headed out while we were in North Carolina mid-October. I'd forgotten how pretty it looks once the heads "bloom"––especially on a windy day like today. The Autumn Blaze maples across the street from us our gorgeous. The one in our own back yard lost all its leaves in September. Overall, our yard looks pretty sad, thanks to the hot, dry summer. : (

Mum is the word

A late October cold snap took a few of our plants, but the mums offer pops of color on the deck. The dragonfly was a gift from our friends in New York. We spent a fun few days with them in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, watching a marvelous display of autumn color.

October rain

I love the way the rain makes all the colors more intense. We had a wonderful week of mist and rain to welcome October. Much needed and much enjoyed. The grasshoppers, on the other hand––not needed and definitely not enjoyed!