Savoring Autumn Awesomeness
It’s the middle of October already. I’m already starting to mourn the passing of autumn, which is rough because I’m still not over the passing of summer. Anyway, at the risk of being repetitive, I’m posting some pictures taken earlier in the month.
Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) with Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).
Again with the Northern Sea Oats, topped with the airy panicles of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).
Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) with Anise-Scented Goldenrod (Solidago odora).
Aromatic Aster with Bumblebee.
A metallic green bee (I think) with New England Aster (S. novae-angliae).
What I think is a tachnid fly, also with NE Aster.
There’s some Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) that grows around the garden. Mostly I treat it as a weed and cut off the seed heads. However, a few stalks always escape my efforts.
They can look nice, especially backlit by the sun.
You can see on the right that the foliage of Rose Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) can have pretty decent fall color.
It makes me a little melancholy when I see the Goldfinches put on their dull winter coats.
Sigh. Onward to the holidays.
That’s all for now.
gardeninacity 
It is funny to see what passes for wildflowers in other regions. In a chaparral climate, we do not have much to show in autumn unless it gets a bit water. Salvias bloom nicely about now, but mine got roasted by the late heat.
In a normal year our rainfall is pretty generous, so we have lots of tall wildflowers.
In a normal year we have generous rainfall, so there are many tall wildflowers.
These are great and I love the top picture. I know what you mean about fall being half over and still missing summer.
Enjoy while it lasts, once frost arrives, it will all change again, that is the wonder of gardening, each season has its own beauty.
I suppose you are right.
The New England Asters and the Brown-Eyed Susan are very cheery, but I always feel a tinge of sadness is autumn.
I know what you mean.
Your asters are lovely Jason. Beautiful photos especially
with the shimmery green bee.☺
Thanks.
Lovely! Quite certain that the pollinators in your neck of the woods are so grateful for all that you’ve planted and provided…bravo!
It is autumn. Gotta get those indoor plants in position to fight for survival this winter. Tis the season.
The only plant we’re actually bringing indoors is the lavender.
I had never heard of anise-scented goldenrod and was about to go out sniffing our wild plants to see if we had any. Apparently, it doesn’t grow wild in Maine, though, so I’m glad I looked it up before sniffing my way around the property. I love fall and enjoy winter, but I know what you mean about seeing the goldfinches put on their winter coats. It is a bit melancholy.
I guess we just have to remember that another spring will be coming after the holidays.
Wonderful pictures and a sweet but sad time. I think the green bee might be a sweat bee. We have them here, and I took a similar picture a month ago.
That sounds right.
Beautiful shots! Your pollinator visitors look busy and I’ll bet they’re satisfied with the nectar choices.
I certainly hope they are!
I hope so.
Lovely shots of autumn beauty. Like you, I’m not yet ready for winter. Not a fan of that time when we only see our gardens on weekends as it’s dark when we leave and dark when we return. Oh well, it is what it is.
Yes, those short days can get me down.
Some lovely pictures here, especially the asters, the aromatic white one is just lovely. I do enjoy all the seasons, but loathe the dark nights, they seem to go on forever.xxx
Yes, very true. The short days and long nights can put a damper on things
I hate cutting back flowers in autumn, but it must be done before the snow flies.
I like to do most of my cutting back in the spring.
Beautiful photographs. I love the fall colors, but also feel as if autumn has somehow escaped too quickly.
All too often, that’s just how things go.
It’ll be spring before we know it!
I hope so.
Savoring is what itis all about. I think we do a better job of it when the end is near.
That makes sense.
Beautiful! After seeing your garden recently, I can now actually imagine it. It’s funny, I noticed today that my Sea Oats are still quite green–but they’re in much more shade than yours are. I also noticed that your Sea Oats are much taller than mine–probably because they get more sun. What a wonderful plant, no matter what the conditions!
I think generally things are staying green longer during in this warm autumn.
Beautfiul asters! The ones that grow wild here are a paler purple.I’m already thinking about spring!
You are such a busy and passionate gardener, Jason! I can understand that you don’t look forward to winter. I wouldn’t like the winters in Chicago also. But see it like that: at the end of winter you can look forward to spring!
True enough.
Beautiful asters! For some reason, my New England Asters didn’t bloom this year, which is unusual because they usually dominate one garden bed. I understand your feelings about autumn; unfortunately, my two favorite seasons–spring and fall–are the shortest seasons of the year here in Illinois.
They do seem to be unreasonably short.
Love the grouping with the rose milkweed – just gorgeous with the rye and brown- eyed Susans.
Thanks.
Bit late with my comment; I hope autumn is continuing and you are still enjoying all the lovies you shared here.
I love all your October pictures. This is a magical time of the year.