September in the Cottage Garden

There is color still in the Cottage Garden with zinnias around the bench

"Approach each season like it is the only one"

-- David Culp

Fall has arrived officially. At this time of year I am usually feeling tired and ready to throw in the towel, or put away the trowel, so to speak. This year, however, I had a new burst of energy after watching David Culp's September webinar in which he made the above statement. David Culp is the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Read about his programs HERE. His monthly walks through the garden are truly inspirational, doubly so as they are illustrated with Robert Cardillo's beautiful photographs. I am now much more motivated to work in my autumn gardens. 

As a result, this month I spent time freshening my borders and containers with fall-blooming perennials and annuals. I left most of the fading perennials, such as purple cone flower, to go to seed for the birds to enjoy. I cut down the dead Shasta daisy revealing its lovely basal leaves and removed some other ugly, dead plants such as peonies. I revel in the continued blooming of zinnias, marigolds, hydrangeas, and salvias. I delight in the appearance of fall-bloomers like asters, chelone, helianthus, and sedum 'Autumn Joy'. 

Some plants that I added are pansies, viola, celosia, mums, croton, gladiolus, and a coreopsis. I removed straggly petunias from window-boxes and added a few sun-patiens that were only $2 each because it is the end of the season. From a distance my flower beds and containers don't look too bad. Although my gardens are fading fast they are an improvement on previous years at this time. Here are a few pictures. What do you think?

I did little to the Serenity Garden--just tidied a little. Duane put out the fall flags.

I'm waiting for the asters, bottom left, to bloom. The hosta leaves are riddled with slug holes, so don't look too close.

September blooms clockwise from top left: sedum, turtle head, gladiolus, celosia, and pansy

The beautiful gladiolus lost all its blooms in the last storm, Hurricane Ida. September has been a month of heavy rains and high winds. Ida caused extensive damage in David Culp's garden and at Northview, my friend Jenny Rose Carey's garden--so many trees lost in both places. David says, "The nature of our art form (gardening) is change." But it must be difficult to see the ravages as an opportunity. Jenny Rose, however, is already planning new plantings--she is amazing. My prayers go out to all those who experienced losses in this year's unprecedented hurricanes.

Lavender, perennial geranium 'Rozanne', and yarrow 'The pearl'

Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert' starting to bloom in Serenity. The anemone on the right has no flower buds. I wonder why? It is in the Cottage Garden area.

Clockwise from top left: mums, marigolds, and helianthus. Bottom left: the amsonia is now changing color and will soon be yellow

Wild asters, beautiful natives, appeared in the cutting garden this year

Fading hydrangeas add their own beauty

The sage I planted in the herb garden is filling the trug with beautiful flowers. As salvia is a member of the mint family I shouldn't be surprised that it has spread so much. I guess this isn't the culinary one. I still have plenty of other herbs though: rosemary, chives, parsley, and thyme

The Kitchen Garden is still producing lots of goodies

Clockwise from top left: Bok choy, Swiss chard, string beans, cherry tomatoes, pole bean plant

 

 

There are also carrots, parsnips, and kale. In the coldframe I planted lettuces, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts. 

 

Finally, a beautiful fall planter. This was a gift I received yesterday for my birthday on October 2 -- when I become an octogenarian!

 

Thank you Mary Ann and Calvin

 

 

I am linking with Sarah, Down by the Sea, in England for her monthly glimpse through the garden gate.

Enjoy fall, dear gardening friends!

 

Pamela x

 

 

The farmers in my potting shed with their fall produce

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