Tags
aster lateriflorus Lady in Black, Carpinus betulus, cornus midwinter fire, crimson glory vine, Hornbeam, Leucanthemella, parthenocissus quinquefolia, penstemon, six on saturday, Virginia Creeper, Vitis coignetiae
Have you noticed how our gardens this week have become very autumnal thanks to the weather and shorter daylight hours? It is mid October so I suppose it is to be expected yet it seems to have changed almost overnight. Sharing the sights of the garden with you and our host The Propagator
This impressive display is from Cornus Midwinter Fire, so called I should imagine because it has incredible stems which are the colours of fire, orange through to yellow. These will reveal themselves once the golden leaves drop.
These multicoloured shades of green to yellow to red are from Vitis coignetiae, crimson Glory vine. The crimson colours are starting to come through and I am hoping it gets time to show before the leaves drop.
This is Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia. This is at the garden where I work. It is a plant which I really dislike for its rampant growth literally meters per season. Self clinging, it leaves dirty sucker marks which are almost impossible to remove over anything in its way including brickwork, paintwork and window panes. High maintenance. When cutting it back I have had a severe reaction to its sap which has left my forearms swollen for a week. Then it changes into this stunning show and all is forgiven. Almost.
Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, is catching the sunlight, illuminating the subtle change from fresh green leaves to a yellowing before turning fully brown. Rather like Beech these leaves will not drop until the spring.
On the opposite side of the path is Aster lateriflorus Lady in Black which is covered in tiny daisies.
Late to flower these tiny sequins of daisies have only emerged in the last ten days.
White flowers are still shining in the garden, this white penstemon.
Nearby the tall daisies of Leucanthemella are still flowering.
These are my selection to share with you this week. Have a good weekend wherever you are and thanks for reading. D.
digwithdorris.com 
That’s a lovely selection of Autumn colour. Thanks for the warning about the Virginia Creeper. I’ll definitely give it a miss.
Thank you. Other people may not have the same reaction to VC but it’s certainly a glorious colour.
Lady in Black is quite nice. I wasn’t familiar with it until today, thanks for that! And I see I can order it on sale for spring shipment!
On sale is fortuitous. I hope you’ll love them
We have very dissimilar reactions to Virginia Creeper! At least we agree on its beautiful color. That Midwinter Fire dogwood should feature again (I hope) when the stems are revealed. Have a great week in the garden.
Ha . All different aren’t we. That’s what makes life interesting.
Thank you
Your foliage colours are spectacular, particularly the Virginia creeper. I didn’t know the sap could have an adverse reaction through contact. I’d be wary of working with it, but in my case, that doesn’t apply as I don’t have a garden large enough to host one (much as I’d like).
The little daisies on the aster are gorgeous.
Hello. I think I have developed sensitive skin as I’ve got older but certainly it sets me off with a very unpleasant reaction. My arms get swollen and so so itchy. My colleagues seem to be fine with it.
I’m pleased you like the aster, I think it’s gorgeous
What wonderful autumnal colours. that is the one thing I miss … our trees in the Algarve on the west coast are mainly forests of eucalyptus, pine and cork. there are some trees that lose their leaves but do not give such a spectacular show.
It is a special thing to see autumn colours. Thank you
I too have issues with Virginia Creeper. I love it, but have to get the anti-histamines into me. Mind you, same applies to sawdust and even beard oil, which contains oils from certain trees.
That said, Autumn colours can be the magic that enchants us. Hope you had a great week, a chara.
I am sorry to read that you too has to take an antihistamine after pruning / hacking back Virginia creeper. Nasty allergies. The colours this year seem to be glorious which helps make for a good week. Thanks
Crimson glory vine certainly is striking in color . . . but I prefer grapevines to make grapes. I should try it in the landscapes (where fruit would only be messy). I have not seen a big one yet.