Welcome to my zone 9 garden. My roots are deeply planted in the sandy soil of sub-tropical central Florida, where the summers are long and hot, but the rest of the year is paradise!

Monday, October 03, 2011

September at a Glance


~ ~Notes on the September Garden~ ~

What a joy it is to discover that autumn has finally arrived...totally invigorating! The flowers on the native bee balm (a/k/a dotted horsemint) were also a joy to discover.

Lots of critters. . .besides bees. . .seem to like this beauty, too.



The Mexican Bush Sage is back in all its autumn splendor. It  was such a stunning specimen in the island bed last autumn that I decided to. . .

add a second bush on the other side of the bed. 
Now, I get "double the pleasure" when I look at them. 

September days filled the meadow area with drifts of goldenrod,

while the purple fountain grass adds a "fall-ish" feel to the front yard.

Fluttering visitors frolicked happily among all the purple. 

The butterflies, including this Cloudless Sulphur, NEVER pass on the Mexican petunias (sterile variety).

And, the Monarchs are still munching away on the Milkweed.

The vanda orchids seem to love autumn, too. 
Even their color says "autumn."



The Autumn Joy Sedum ~ ~ a passalong plant from my sister-in-law is sporting its autumn crown of flowers that eventually will change to a deeper russet color.  

What a wonderful gardening season is ahead of us now that summer is fading away. 

9 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wowee ~ I love your blooms here at the end of summer. Your Mexican Sage is FANTASTIC. I love the dotted horsemint too.

Once again, I'm inspired by your lovely gardens.

Happy Autumn ~ FlowerLady

gardenmom said...

This is absolutely beautiful, I grow some of the same plants that bee balm really attracts bee's like crazy. Keep up the good work.

Susan said...

Hey Flowerlady...The flower show changes as the seasons change - It's truly amazing to watch.

GardenMom...I'm excited about the bee balm. It's nice to grow plants for wildlife that are pretty, too.

Unknown said...

I love Mexican bush sage! Mine is blooming so much now and the bees and hummingbirds love it. Its one of my favorite plants!

Sandy said...

I need to find out what part of Florida your in... I'm also a zone 9 but my garden has had such a swampy time this year and did not do well. Your bee balm is wonderful.
Happy Fall
Sandy

Susan said...

Hi Mary...Thanks for stopping by. The Mexican sage really is a stunning bush but it does need lots of room in the garden. I look forward to visiting your Louisiana garden.

Hi Sandy...I'm located between Orlando and Tampa. We had a dryer than normal summer this year.

Ami said...

Susan: you are so right that Mexican Bush Sage is stunning and requires lots of space! As usual, I planted it without knowing how much space it needs. I need to move it into another place if I can find one :)

I have not been able to spend much time in the garden, and hope the cool season can motivate me into the gardening more.

Happy Autumn!

NanaK said...

Wow! Susan, your Mexican Bush Sage is spectacular! I'm seeing more butterflies too now that it is cooler. (Maybe because I'm outside more.) Hope you enjoy these great gardening days.

NanaK said...

Thought I had commented already. Maybe Blogger ate it? Anyhoo, Your Mexican sage is show stopping. I have the dotted horsemint which got way too big this year. I just hacked it down to the new sprouts emerging from the ground. I love all the buzzing and flying insects that hover around it constantly.

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