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Friday, October 5, 2012

Since you asked . . .

gardener named Kevin Loud posed a question to a Linkedin Discussion Group for garden writers, and that question was this: "Now that it's October what changes are happening -- and how are you getting your gardens ready for the cooler weather?"

From what I understand, Mr. Loud lives in New York in the Long Island area, and because I live in New York City, he and I share the same growing zones, so, presumably, we would get our gardens ready for "cooler weather" at the same time. 

However, a major difference between his garden and mine is that his is in the ground on his property and mine is in containers (80+) which I have on a roof extension. Therefore, my prep for winter is very different than his, and it is something I've discussed in great detail in a variety of venues, including here on blogger, within an entry you may refer to by clicking here.

I don't begin my garden winterizing in October, in fact, in bygone years, I've done it in late November, December, and even in early January, depending on the severity of the weather. I am in no hurry to put what I grow to bed for the winter — especially since they suffered such trauma in my recent garden upheaval, which you may refer to by clicking here, as well as here, and here.

But the other question Mr. Loud posed had to do with how the gardens of his fellow members in Linkedin Discussion Group were faring, and today's post is my "answer" to him; hence the following aerial images were taken by Juan V (this past Tuesday, October the second), and marked by yours truly to point out specific events which are occurring in my garden at this time.



The image above shows a partial view of the west "wall" of my garden, and the oval shape (to the left of the image) is surrounding my Rubus calycinoides (Ornamental Raspberry), a vine that I once referred to as a "diva," because her presence is so extraordinary! At the present time, her leaves have not yet begun to change into their autumn color wardrobe, but, in years gone by, she has looked this way (see images below) in the fall.





The larger circle that I've added to Juan's image indicates how my  Continus Coggygria (Smoke Bush), looks at this time. Some of its leaves are slowly beginning to turn color, but, like yours truly, my Continus Coggygria, seems hesitant to rush the season.
If you follow TLLG here on Blogger or tumblr my Continus Coggygria is most likely a familar "face" to you as she has been an inspiration for a number of entries on both venues, which you may refer to by clicking here and here respectively. Moreover, my Continus Coggygria, also known as 'Grace,' was the inspiration for a greeting card that I created (which goes beyond communication) and it may be viewed by clicking here.

Meanwhile, the following are a couple of images which showcase my Continus Coggygria's foliage October look in bygone years.




Another aerial image that Juan took this past Tuesday is the following:



The circle which I've added to the image indicates a few of the flowers which are now blooming on my Autumn Clematis. This is a clematis which is near and dear to my heart, and I've named it Donna's Legacy, after the tragic death of its grower. 

This awesome autumn blooming vine was even visited by a dragonfly last year, as evidenced by the following image, which I posted at the time of this remarkable occurrence!



I would be thrilled if a member of the dragonfly's community came again for an autumn visit, but I'm mostly concentrating on how grateful I am that my Autumn Clematis survived the upheaval in my garden, for, after all, just a couple of weeks ago she had to be uprooted and placed in a "body bag," as you may recall from this image below:



How wonderful it is that this vine survived such trauma! I look forward to its producing flowers as it has in bygone autumn seasons, as evidenced by a few images below:






Moreover, the Autumn Clematis (Donna's Legacy), as you may recall, dear reader, was featured in my first garden themed Virtual Story (movie), which was titled The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame . . . almost. It was narrated by one of my "prolific" Actinida kolomikta and Actimida AKA Kiwi Vines!, and ican be viewed in my Vimeo Library by clicking here.

In the aforementioned movie, the Kiwi brags (and rightly so) about his "awesome golden (fall) foliage with lovely red markings." Unfortunately, he will not wear the same fall clothes (foliage) this year as he has in bygone years, because this vine's leaves dropped early this year, due to its being attacked by spider mites!

And speaking of my Kiwi Vine, the arrow which I've added to Juan's second aerial image indicates some of its now bare branches. However, not all of its leaves are gone, for, as you can see in the following image,



the leaves of my Kiwi in the northern portion (top of image) of my garden are lush! Hopefully, those will turn to the awesome yellow which is "the practice" for my Kiwi in the autumn season, as indicated in a few images below of it celebrating autumn in previous seasons on my roof extension!







But, as I stated that I'm doing re Autumn Clematis, I am also doing with my Kiwi, and that is I'm also concentrating on how grateful I am that it too survived the upheaval in my garden! For, after all, just a couple of weeks ago, these vines had to be uprooted and placed in a "body bag" as you may recall from this image below:




Be that as it may (re my Kiwi's soon-to-change-foliage), I'm not the only one anticipating their leaves to turn, as evidenced by the images below:






With this info (TMI or not) you have my answer to Mr. Loud's question!

2 comments:

  1. Patricia--
    The autumn colors look fabulous! Despite the upheaval and body bags scattered across your property, life returns to your balcony! The dove continues to have to 'one-feather-off' look though.

    I'm curious--with all those body bags around, how did your neighbors react? To some, it may look like a murder mystery and may make for an entertaining evening of a Dinner Mystery Theater!

    Enjoy October!
    Kristen

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  2. Once again, Kristen, I hope you know how much I appreciate your taking the time to visit, read and comment on TLLG's Blogger entries! Thanks too for your good wishes re "life returning to my balcony!" BTW, I'm not sure what you mean by the mourning doves "one-feathered-off look," is this something I've done wrong with the image? As for your "dinner mystery theater" idea, it's quite interesting! I'm certain everything I grow would love a chance to act, as evidenced by their performances in my garden themed Virtual Stories (mini movies) in my Vimeo Library.

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