Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Monday, November 3, 2008

Yellow Leaves and A Blue Sky Sing Autumn's Song



Autumn at Clay and Limestone isn't deep reds and 

and vibrant oranges.


It's the color of 
pale yellows and


gold  against a blue sky.


It's golden leaves
hiding yellow flowers,

grasses tipped with blushing plumes, 

seed heads the palest of tans.

It's leaves 

wispy  and   strappy 
turning golden before they disappear into brown.



Even the reds those glorious reds,  have a golden base.

The garden is a study of yellows and golds with hints of red. 

Autumn at Clay and Limestone  isn't a fiery  flash of  color. 
It's  a meditation of relaxed breathing while  
lying on the warm ground and
 
looking up through the golden leaves to see the blue sky?

Gail
Nashville, Tennessee

Please visit Dave at The Home Garden for other Garden Bloggers' Fall Color Project posts.


79 comments:

  1. Gail ~ Your golden garden is glorious! How do you like all those g's! I love the all the different textures and you have the most perfect blue sky back drop. Bravo indeed!

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  2. Great pics Gail of such an avalanche of gold. All those wonderful autumn colours against a blue sky are balm for the soul, don't you think?

    Here the leaves are dropping fast, soon the branches will be bare.

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  3. Gail, your many crowns of gold are great fall color. The red almost looks out of place.

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  4. Hi Gail, isn't the sky the most intense blue you have ever seen? We are golden here too, with the one silver maple and daylilies showing off. Laying in the grass and looking up seems the best way to get the full affect. Thanks for letting us look at your shot of that instead of us getting all dirty! HA
    Frances
    http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/

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  5. The season ends in a spectacular display.
    Marnie

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  6. You don't need any reds or oranges with all these lovely yellows, Gail! I hope you were lying in a hammock and enjoying those blue skies, too:)
    Great post.

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  7. Glorious, glorious, glorious! I love the picture that's third from last: no dark and mysterious woods there, they glow!

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  8. Stunning in gold! Isn't the sky just gorgeous?

    Of course, you know I live in Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina Tarheel basketball team. We have a saying here "If God is not a Tarheel, then why is the sky Carolina Blue?"

    We've had the very best autumn weather for the last three days. We're finally getting some colors here and now the drizzle is setting in for a few days.

    Cameron

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  9. Hmmmmmmmm, Fall certainly does have the Midas touch around your place.Very,very pretty.-Randy

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  10. Very nice Gail! Gold is a great fall color. Very bright, very warm, very fall!

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  11. Fall is lovely at your place. Love that Solomon's seal (I think that is what it is).

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  12. beautiful yellow leaves and blue skies Gail!

    We have mostly yellows and golds here too. Still no frost here, and the hostas have had a rare opportunity to show their fall colors before melting into the mulch. Even impatiens are still blooming. This has been one of the nicest falls I can remember.

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  13. Gail....gold and blue, my grandsons favourite colours....beautiful autumn combination............your garden is beautiful, nature and the person that nurtures have worked well together...........

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  14. Fantastic Fall colors Gail. Your area sure looks pretty with all the golds, yellows & all between. It's so nice to be able to look up sometimes.

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  15. Gail, Welcome to Fall! You've been watching it happen "up north" for awhile. :-) There are photographs that have such a familiar look! You've provided a lovely tour. Have a great day!! (I'm headed out to rake for a bit.)

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  16. The golden days of autumn have true meaning at Clay and Limestone. I think a few Jap. Maples would turn red for you but what is better than yellow and blue together! When is your next trip to RI? Your room is ready!

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  17. Glorious gold! Your garden is simply burnished, Gail -- a lovely contribution to Dave's FCP.

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  18. Yellows and Gold’s seem to be an ongoing theme this fall in many gardens. I am looking high and low for the reds and oranges but must rely on others for those pretties. Yellow and Gold are showing their faces here and the dogwoods are giving me some of that red that I long for. Still a while away for our peek season but I will be snapping when it arrives…

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  19. Just lovely, Gail. I adore your gold and blue combos. Yellow is much more common in my garden too, though I do still have red flowers and some red berries. But no red leaves.

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  20. I love those shades of yellow & gold in your fall garden Gail. They make a nice contrast for the blue, blue sky. Lovely post today!

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  21. Very lovely indeed. Over in England, at the moment, the colour of Autumn is grey with a hint of dinginess and the slightest smattering of gloomy insipidity.

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  22. Thank you everyone...I just got home from the hospital...where Mr I Don't Garden or Blog had a whole lot a shakin' going on to break up a kidney stone. I want to answer you comments! He needs a little tlc.

    gail

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  23. Gail, Take care of hubby. No need to answer my comment for sure. You just did:)

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  24. While I love me some "fire & flash" I certainly can appreciate your beautiful yellows and gold. I have many of those hues in my yard too. What are those beautiful seed heads?? oh, and did it frost? Wondering if your flowers are all gone or not. Enjoy the splendid fall that surrounds you.

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  25. It's simple and lovely, so peaceful the way you describe it and the photos are great.

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  26. Cindy, HI, The g's are perfect...I am not shy about alliteration! The blue is October blue, but it's now November...November Grey is the color of the sky in November...something is different this year!

    Yolanda Elizabet, This fall has been exception...the sky is still blue, not grey, the trees are coloring late and the flowers are still blooming! We shall be shocked in a few weeks! Are your falls gray and moist?

    Lisa, We do have some red at the shrub level. This neighborhood lost most of it's sugar maples last year and this year's drought hasn't helped! You folks up north have such pretty reds and oranges!

    Marnie, What a bewautiful way to say that...the season is ending with a spectacular displaY!

    Gail

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  27. Rose, I was on the ground...the best place to feel the earth and relax:-) We put the hammock away a few years ago when the mosquitoes claimed the way back as their kingdom! All that canopy of gold is from Shagbark Hickories!

    Cindy,mcok-- That beautiful shrub is Diane, a Witch Hazel. Isn't she gorgeous! I have been outside this afternoon shooting lots of all photos to help me figure out where color is needed next fall!
    A lot of standing around has taken place! BTW...you have a great post today!

    Gail

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  28. Cameron, Carolina Blue Skies! I will remember that one! We could use the rain here...it is beautiful but very dry...It is incredibly dusty in the house...all from the drought...That is my story and I am sticking to it!

    Randy, What a nice image...Midas touch in the yard! Very good! Thank you..I will use that to describe the trees to a friend!

    Dave, Thank you oh great host of the Garden BLogger's Fall Color Project...quite a success!


    Gail

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  29. Tina, Thanks for both your comments! Mr I is doing better, well, he is asleep! Isn't this just the best fall? Is it my imagination or is going on forever? That is indeed Soloman's Seal...a great plant with beautiful fall color...and spreads quite nicely.

    Linda/Garden Girl, No frost but snow and you still are having good weather...that is fortunate! It is nice to get to see the fall color of hostas instead of the frost mushing them up! I wonder if your weather signals a big change in your zone conditions?

    Gail

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  30. Cheryl, Hi! Blue and yellow are so very classic! Nature certainly knows how to dress well! Thank you for your kind thoughts that is was the gardener!

    lola, I love looking up at all those golds...they are even more golden today! Glad you liked them, too.

    Shady, Raking is after the fall of these beautiful leaves! We have waited for a bit to have color...I hope it has been worth the wait for all our northern friends to pek at our leaves!

    Gail

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  31. layanee,

    I do have a few small Japanese Maples...and have to make sure they are watered well all summer... All our canopy trees are yellow leaved...the Shagbark Hickory is the best. Exfoliating bark and color! In RI, probably next spring. Matt will be home for Christmas! I look forward to seeing you all again...say hi to the EM and Tucker!

    Gail

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  32. kathleen,

    The seed heads belong to Stokesia...Peachie's Pick...they were billed as having a beautiful seed head! Glad you liked them! I was mentioning to another blogger how much I am getting into seed heads. Blogging has opened my eyes to so much more in the garden then a flashy flower or color burst! Kathleen, you keep me on my toes, girl! No we did not lose our flowers! Isn't that amazing everyone else seemed to but C&L is magical! It's own microclimate. I still think it's magic.

    gail

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  33. Gail .. the golds are beautiful too .. especially when shot with that blue blue sky .. I love that !
    We were talking Cotinus and I said Grace would be great for you .. which I think it would, but I was talking about a potted one which is actually "Young Lady" .. if you look at the link I left on those comments you will see a lot of different cultivars I didn't even know existed .. it is wonderful they are coming up with new ones all the time ! .. now what do I do about SPACE in my garden ???? hahaha
    Joy

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  34. DARLA, Thank you! I try to be a little poetic but sometimes slip into over romanticing the garden...glad you don't find it too sweet!

    racquel, It's hard to fault that sky! It looks good with red, too! But we have golds and yellows! Thank you, btw.

    James, You are making me laugh out loud! The picture you present is exactly how I describe St Louis MO (where I grew up )!

    gail

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  35. Frances,

    The blue sky has been outstanding this fall...even now, in November when we begin to see less blue and a lot more gray! I am appreciating how fine our temperatures have been.

    You did guess my strappy leaves...Indeed it was a daylily! You are so darned good! There isn't much I can get by you!

    Thank goodness for the smaller trees and shrubs, they give our gardens lots of lovely flashes of fire that maples would if we could grow them! Your dogwoods look incredible and the maple is lovely. I wish I could capture how wonderful the Witch hazel Diane looks! She is ablaze.

    gail

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  36. Nancy, You are a poet; burnished golds is so lyrical and it makes me feel like my garden is incredibly special! Thank you!

    Skeeter, We must embrace our gold and yellow leaves (thank you Carol) that is mostly what we will get. Unless we plant a few maples and water the heck out of them! I look forward to more peak color from Georgia.

    Pam, Gold is good, very good! Rich gold, or subtle golds, it's all beautiful...A few berries for accent color, that's good, too! I am embracing gold!

    gail

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  37. Joy, Thanks for the info at your blog...I will check them out...the Grace Smokebush sounds ideal...and I have a space for her...now to save my pennies! Gail

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  38. Ouch for Mr I dont garden! Several of my family members have had those nasty stones and not fun for them at all... Get well soon...

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  39. Oh gail,
    You just took my breath away with this post.
    I have had to look at it over and over.
    So inspiring.
    Best regards,
    Philip

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  40. Lovely words, lovely photos. Meditative thoughts.
    Brenda

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  41. FABULOUS pictures. I love all the yellows, and particularly that witch hazel.

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  42. victoria...

    You should see it today, it is so beautiful...I recommend these little trees for every garden...Beautiful fall color and this one will bloom in late winter. I am always glad when folks appreciate Diane...Gail

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  43. skeeter,

    Thanks, I will pass that on to him! He isn't too grouchy and is asking for food...that's a good sign;-)

    Gail

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  44. brenda,

    I am touched that you would say that...When you lay down and look at t the sky through the leaves, before long you are breathing deeper and you are relaxed. Meditative is exactly the right word. Thank you.

    gail

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  45. phillip,

    Why thank you...sometimes comments come along that are quite lovely and touching! Thank you for this nice gift!

    gail

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  46. The post had a beautiful theme and the words were poetry.

    Thank You!

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  47. Gail - I love the pictures of your golden leaves against the beautiful blue sky. Nice photography. We're still hot here - both the temperatures - 85s this week -- and the gardens and their color. Some soft yellows and mellow golds would be nice to see. thanks for showing us yours.

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  48. diana...We all need some break from the hot temps...maybe your will come soon! Thanks for stopping by I am pleased you like all the golds and yellows...Shag Bark Hickory is the tall canopy tree...you could add a nice Witch Hazel to your yard!

    Gail

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  49. lovely,gail,
    those are perfect colours for going into the thanksgiving season. i have also been laying down on quilts looking up and seeing the rays of the sun shine thru all the colours, green, yellow, golds, blushing reds.
    isn't is wonderful to have eyes to see the beauty.
    thank you for sharing your views at clay and limestone.

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  50. Gail, I'm sorry to learn of Mr I don't garen's malaise. Please fwd my best wishes---hoping for a speedy recovery.

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  51. Lola, I will share your kind words with Mr I don't garden or blog! He will appreciate your thoughts!

    Gail

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  52. marmee,

    They are the perfect holiday colors and how delightful an image...This Thanksgiving will see us celebrating so much more! I do appreciate my healthy eyes! Glad you stopped by.

    Gail

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  53. What a beautiful golden garden. I especially love the color against the blue sky. We've had fabulous weather lately!

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  54. DP,

    We have had beautiful weather...and it looks like election day will also be fantastic. Maybe we'll get rain this weekend! How's the book pitch going? Is that the right term?

    Gail

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  55. Golly-great golds Gail! I love lying on my back looking up theroughthe trees at the blue, blue sky too. What a view!

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  56. Steve,

    Gee, gosh, golly, you made me smile...thanks! Gail

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  57. So pretty - blue and yellow is such a nice combination, isn't it?

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  58. Thanks for the information on the seed heads ~ I think blogging has increased my interest/awareness in all things "garden" whether it be seed heads, insects, etc. I'm going to look those up tho because they are particularly attractive. Ha ha on keeping you on your toes. I suspect you are always on point. If there was ever any doubt C&L was magical, it's erased with your escape from the frost. Keep the magic coming!

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  59. What lovely photos Gail! I've always loved yellow/blue combinations in the garden and I see yellow/gold leaves with the bluest of skies isn't bad either!

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  60. What lovely photos Gail! I've always loved yellow/blue combinations in the garden and I see yellow/gold leaves with the bluest of skies isn't bad either!

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  61. Phillip, It is classic and nature doesn't seem to make mistakes with color...Welcome back! Gail

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  62. VP,

    I do like those colors together...which works out very nice...'cause I have plenty of yellow and the sky is cooperating quite nicely with that lovely blue! How's your weather across the pond?

    Gail

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  63. Kathleen,

    Glad to help! Ahh...ballet as a child?

    Gail

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  64. What a great addition to the Fall Color Project, Gail. I'm catching up on my reading (or trying to)--these beautiful foliage photos are a nice follow up to your goodbye to your flowers. It's so wonderful that gardens provide so much beauty in all of their cycles (and it's one reason I could never live just in Arizona--I love the seasons too much).

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  65. You are sharp as a tack. That little slip and you deduce my ballet training. I retain little from those years unfortunately, I don't think it was in my blood. Thanks again for the info!!!

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  66. Your golden tones of foliage blend beautifully together. There is lots of vibrant interest with all of the variety of plants and trees. The clear blue sky was a nice backdrop too.

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  67. I didn't know till this year what kind of colors I'm going to have. Yes! I do like the blue sky with the Autumn leaves. I remembered you ask me that on my blog. I liked the lime green with everything. I'm wanting some lime green hostas. Diane looks more full than last year. It really stands out and I remember you planned it that way.

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  68. A lovely golden world, Gail..,..I enjoyed the visit. Your photos are just wonderful!
    Marie

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  69. cosmo,

    We missed you while you were having a desert adventure in Arizona!
    I imagine that the colors in Virginia see like they are screaming compared to the shades of brown and green that make me think of Arizona. Glad you stopped by!

    Gail

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  70. nOrthern Shade,

    Hi...the golds are really vibrant and the sun in its winter angle has given ever thing a glow. I am gonna miss this color in a few weeks! What shade blue is your northern sky?

    gail

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  71. Anna,

    Diane is a lot fuller then last year...and she is dripping with flower buds!

    I like your lime green choice...it will look perfect in your garden. I am very curious about what will replace those supertunias you have in your front be. A prime piece of real estate!

    Gail

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  72. tilelady, Hello how have you been? I am glad you like the photos...I really wanted everyone to pop over and have tea on the porch and see the late afternoon's effect on the trees!

    Gail

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  73. kathleen,

    Just a good guess!

    gail

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  74. What a beautiful post! I love the way you presented fall in your area.

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  75. Dot,

    Thanks...it has been beautiful here...

    Gail

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