Survivors of the First Frost for October GBBD

There was a frost last night; first of the season. I decided not to cover any plants, but to let nature do its thing. However, I brought the houseplants inside from the back porch where they had resided all summer. I also potted up some less-than-hardy chrysanthemums and put them in a 'pumpkin' tureen to decorate the dining-room table.

 

 I was pleased to see all the houseplants were looking quite healthy. The African violets are in bloom. It's nice to have some plants inside the house again.

This morning, I sipped coffee and watched the local TV news, waiting until the frost warning had expired, before venturing outside (warmly dressed of course) to survey the damage. As expected, my most tender annuals were zapped, especially the impatiens, but most everything else survived. The new rose bed next to the pond was lovely as ever.

 Several plants are clinging onto summer with just one or two blooms. The lantana and the honeysuckle vine have the occasional blossom peeping through dead leaves.

 I was sure Jack Frost would have killed the Boston ferns on the deck, but they seem to have been saved by the grape vine that still has protective leaves.

Autumn in Pennsylvania is very beautiful, although this year the colors of leaves are not quite so bright. The maples are shedding their leaves before they turn from yellow to red.

But the staghorn sumac is as gorgeously red as ever.

There are plenty of berries for the birds in winter, especially on the crabapple near the house, and on the wild barberry in the Woodland Walk.

 

 I was happy to see the pansy's smiling face. Pansies love the cooler weather, even if I don't like it much.

Nearby, a flock of goldfinches rose up from a clump of echinacea, too fast for me to photograph them. They love the seeds of the purple cone flowers. I like the way the seedheads are reflected in the mirror on the picket fence. 

At last, the sun shone and changed the color of the frosty sky to blue. Then the autumn-clad trees behind the white barn were reflected in the fish pond.

I hate to see the end of summer, but I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world, where there are four distinct seasons. I truly admire those gardeners who live in places where there is endless summer ... how do they do it? I am looking forward to the downtime that winter brings. Already I have gardening plans for next season running through my head and I look forward to sitting by the fireplace putting down my ideas on paper.

But now I am going to visit May Dream's Gardens where Carol is graciously hosting October's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I look forward to seeing what is blooming around the world, today. Why don't you join me.

Wishing you a happy October in your garden!
Pam x

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