Three Autumn Vignettes From The Back Garden
Our little fountain birdbath, with fading ferns and Crooked Stem Aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides).
Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) blooming with the dying foliage of Great Merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora). Can you find the bumblebees?
A view across the back garden to the back porch.
For more garden vignettes, visit Anna’s blog Flutter and Hum.
gardeninacity 
Jason – how come it still looks like summer where you are? It’s so lush and green….
It’s still pretty green. Wondering when the leaves will turn.
Very nice vignettes. I’m thinking of buying some goldenrod, maybe ‘Fireworks.’ It’s one of those wildflowers that scares me a bit though.
Fireworks is a great Goldenrod — do it!
They’re not always aggressive, it depends on the species. Bluestem self-seeds a lot, but doesn’t spread by root. Anise Scented Goldenrod is quite well behaved. Zigzag goldenrod, on the other hand, is a true thug, so be careful where you put it.
I love that calm first image with the birdbath.
Thanks.
Your garden is looking in great shape for late September. The back garden scene is very attractive.
Where do you keep your garden tools? Do you have a garden shed?
In our garage, which is actually too small for our cars so it’s basically a big storage shed.
I didn’t know that you have a back porch. How exciting! Is it heated for winter?
It’s not, but on a sunny winter day it’s plenty warm. We use a space heater on the cloudy days.
It is great that you still have things blooming..
The ‘Sally Holmes’ rose has beds and I hope they bloom before they are blasted by the cold.
Still lovely in its faded glory.
Thank you.
Oh your birdbath is simply exquisite. What is the base like?
I much prefer this birdbath to our old one. Much easier to clean and maintain. The base is a hollow column. The power cord comes up through the column.
I do love the wider, more productive last shot. Productive because it includes the wheelbarrow. Autumn is looking good where you are Jason.
I liked that shot as well. I think for me I liked looking through the Silver Maple bed with all the Boltonia to the back doors.
You keep making the case for MORE ASTERS.
There can never be too many asters.
Early autumn looks so lovely – I really like the shot to the back porch – it looks like a shot from a country magazine, rather than downtown Chicago!
Well, we’re a few miles from downtown Chicago, in an old “inner ring” suburb. But thanks for the compliment!
Lots of nice fall flowers! I’ve only found zig zag goldenrod in the woods just once.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in the wild, but it is native to this area.
I’ve just started reading Allen Lacy’s The Garden in Autumn. He would love your vignettes.
Lacy is my favorite garden writer.
Nice vignettes, there’s so much beauty big and small in the garden at this time of year.
Very true!
Oh how lovely! Alas, my ZigZags were rabbit food this year. I hope the addition of Alliums, lava rocks, and chicken wire will prevent that from happening next year. Your garden looks great in autumn (well, in any season)!
Seems rabbits in Madison and Chicago have different tastes. I have never noticed them eating the goldenrod. But then the explanation could be that there is so much of it.
Thank you for sharing the last few hurrah’s of the garden….all lovely! Our gardens here in Maine are beginning to look quite tired…..very dry, though torrential rain just yesterday. Ahh, the end of the season and gardens and gardeners getting ready for rest!
I admit that my gardening zeal is wearing a bit thin, so I am ready for a rest.
I sure did spot those bees! You do have plenty of bloomers, I wish I did!xxx
It’s all winding down rather quickly now.
I LOVE your fountain bird bath. 🙂
Thanks! I’m also very fond of it.