Hopefully This Works

I've been having trouble with Blogger this week.  First photos wouldn't load - then I was told I was out of space - yes again.  But, their rules have changed, basically they've put up a new Speed Limit sign, and I desperately want to play Blogger and so have sent them my credit card number.  As my husband explained to me - $2.49/month is not a lot of money for the amount of pleasure I get.

In the garden, the hot and crusty summer has had a huge influence over the fall blossoms.  Things are shorter, smaller, and altogether less colourful.  I've looked at years past and there was an abundance of plants that are photo-worthy - this year not so much.

I'm a little unsure if this is going to work and I'll be able to load these photos (attempt #8) so, I've done a drastic cull just so you can get an idea of what things look like and what's going on.

The big noise at the moment is the Heptacodium.  It is full of flowers.  The bees are going mad.  The butterflies are waiting their turn - showing up in the afternoon when the pollinator traffic is more reasonable.  My only beef with this little tree is that it wasn't supposed to be so tall.  I have the feeling that all the good action is going on well above my head.

Just barely caught this Mourning Cloak having a meal.

The rain and cooler weather has awoken some of the annuals.  I'd gotten a flat of these Dahlia Dahlinova Hypnotica Cotton Candy from Loblaw at the beginning of the season to trial.  They did well throughout the spring, then completely pooped out over the summer.  Even though I kept them watered, I was sure they were going to end up on the compost pile before the end of summer.  Well, the moment the rain came, the buds came back and so did the leaves.  So glad I didn't give up on them.  They're so pretty.

Below is a shot of my favourite oil-slick plant Perilla.  I had grown it to eat (it's called Shiso) - just vile.  But, it has to be one of the loveliest volunteers in the garden.  No matter where it decides to grow, it always plays well with others - the combinations are divine.

Autumn is well and truly here when you see these little fall treasures - these were found at the Royal Botanical Gardens last week.

I had just a short amount of time to spend at the RBG and decided to go to the Rock Garden.  I hadn't been back since visiting for the spring bulb display.  Some very different combinations.  They seem to be relying on the strength of leaf colour rather than flowers in their beds.

I never would have thought about planting these ornamental peppers so closely for a display.  Too much do you think?

I'm not a huge fan of Dichondra, (the silver/blue leaf below) but like the way it's feathered out at the edge of the bed.  In this particular case, I must admit, I'd like to see some more flowers.

The late Hosta have been just glorious.

Now for those of us in colder climates with Muhly Grass envy - maybe this is something we could try....It's called Melinis 'Savannah' or Ruby Grass.

To get to the rock garden you have to go under the roadway beside the railway tracks - am always fascinated to see these crazy bees with their hive just glued to the underside of the roadway.

A couple shots from my morning walks - as you can see - no colour yet, but the sky is a perfect fall blue, just ready to be a foil to those bright reds and golds.

And from one of the gardens down by the lake (one of those homes your husband would buy for you if he robbed a bank) a little bit of grass and dancing flowers - another little tick in the box of autumn.