Say Goodbye to the Michaelmas Daisies: September's GBBD

Monarch butterfly on Aster Novae-Angliae

 How many chances do you give a plant before you decide it has to go? I have a difficult time making the decision to get rid of plants. I always think next year they will be better ... gardeners are the eternal optimists, I believe. But my New England Asters, or Michaelmas Daisies as my Mother calls them, have been given too many chances. I planted five of them in the spring of 2006 and they were awesome that fall. Every year since then they had a problem, including aphids and powdery mildew. This year the plants succumbed to botrytis. It began with the lower leaves turning yellow and then brown, then the remainder of the leaves died, from the bottom of the stem to the top. Botrytis does not always effect the flowers, so I spent a great deal of time grooming these plants, deciding to let them flower one more time. I am glad I did, because they continue to be a butterfly magnet. But enough is enough! They demand too much of my time, so when they have finished flowering I am going to pull them out.

Aster novae-angliae "Wonder of Staffa"

I am giving them the final honor of being featured for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day graciously hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

In general, my garden is really winding down now and looking rather messy. I still have a few lovely blooms, however, including the caryopteris. One of few shrubs with blue flowers in the fall, it is a great favorite of mine.

Caryopteris 'Blue Mist Shrub'

Caryopteris is often called Blue Spirea in England

The bees love it, also.

 Other fall-flowering plants are the sweet autumn clematis and of course mums:

Sweet Autumn Clematis

 

Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum hybrid

I always look forward to the goldenrod coming into bloom in the woodland garden. This year it is rather sparse, maybe because of the drought.

Goldenrod Solidago Rugosa

 
This has been an unusual gardening year due to the weather conditions: Extreme heat and lack of rain have caused leaves to fall before the trees have the opportunity to take on their autumn colors. This is very evident in the Woodland Walk.

Sitting under the apple tree one is showered by early falling leaves

Fallen leaves carpet the ground around the staddle stone

Another harbinger of fall is the bright orange of the Chinese lanterns.

Several roses are still lovely. This is my favorite, today.

Miniature rose Rosa "Rise 'N' Shine"

I am thrilled with today's harvest, having thought the kitchen garden had little left to offer. I picked cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, parsnips, a red onion, and a handful of beans.

 

 The grapes are very thin this year on the arbor, again because of the drought (I did not water them.) Therefore,  I decided to leave them for the birds and not attempt to make jelly or juice.

Concorde Grapes

Finally, as I review my September blooms, I must show how well some of the annuals have survived. In the kitchen garden there are still a few sweet peas...

Sweet Pea 'Eckford's Finest Mix'

... and the zinnias continue to put on a great show and attract pollinators.

Zinnia 'Jazzy Mix'

Some annuals in planters are still looking pretty, also, especially the coleus.

Coleus Mixed Colors 'Wizard' invite you to enter the Stone Garden

 I cannot end without reiterating my promise to give you a full report about the new pond that is giving us so much pleasure. Next time ...

Perennial geranium, yarrow "the pearl", and zinnias border the pond

Now, I need to think of what to plant in place of those asters. What would you suggest? Maybe a visit to May Dreams Gardens will give us some ideas.  There we can check out what is blooming around the world today. Thank you, Carol, for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Enjoy this beautiful autumn, or whatever season it is where you live, dear gardening friends.

Love, Pam x

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