You can't hurry the bumbles. They don't seem inclined to leave, but, then
Fall isn't over for the bumbles.
Clay and Limestone was remarkably spared
from the damaging frost that took out other Middle Tennessee gardens.
from the damaging frost that took out other Middle Tennessee gardens.
I think it was magic!
Or, it could be that we have a unique microclimate of tall shrubbery and 
perfectly placed trees on a south facing slope that protects the garden from frosts!
perfectly placed trees on a south facing slope that protects the garden from frosts! Let's go with magic! Autumn magic.
Will you look at this perfect bouquet! That's magical.
Rue anemone is blooming in November~~~magic!
Cosmos sulphureus continues to hold court~~ok, not magic, this is an easy plant!
Is it not magical that cyclamen flowers? You gotta give me this one. Have you tried to grow it!It's true, even the magical flowers aren't as fresh, or
as prolific as they once were.
They are looking old...with brown age spots!
They are drooping and have lost the blush of youth. Even so...The flying critters don't seem to care that the flowers are fading or fewer!
The loyal skippers can still be found on the coneflowers that rebloomed.
The sulphur beauties flit about the garden and hang out on the salvia.
The bumbles are ever present on the native asters...from early in the morning to late in the afternoons.The magic of this fall seems endless. You and I know it can't last forever, no magic can keep winter from arriving. But this is what I know~~~
fall ain't over till the last fat bumble leaves!
Gail
I love those asters- the deep pink eye with the lilac petals works so well. I grow cyclamen here, they flower in autumn and spring (hederfolium and coum) I find they love lots of leaf mold, and not to much wet around their corms, and that seems to keep them generous with their blooming.
ReplyDeleteIt is OK that your blooms have a few discolored leaves, age spots, and are fading. I don't think your garden visitors care. They are there for what could be the final meal of the fall and welcome the bounty.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you made it through the frost and still have so many lovely blooms. I have some protected spots in my garden that are still keeping some of mine alive too. I especially like to see the bees still hard at work. :)
ReplyDeleteGail, love that title! It must be magic to not have had frost yet. I am impressed the cyclamen is still looking so good. I know that has to be magical because I can't grow it here. What a pretty color that cosmos is. I want to plant more of these beautiful flowers next year and in more colors. They are such an easy plant to grow and bloom all season. I know those bees and butterflies are enjoying your still blooming garden. Hopefully they are storing enough to them thrpugh the winter. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour garden does appear to be full of magic Gail. Not so much magic here. No bumbles. They gave up early. Just as well since there isn't much abloom here. Hang on as long as you can...
ReplyDeleteGood morning Gail, magic my dear, magic for sure! Your asters are magnificent, declining gracefully. You have so many flowers still, COSMOS! I can hardly believe it. You do have that tree cover with larger shrubs all around. A secret paradise. You would have loved the wild asters I saw yesterday in the mountains, still blooming like yours even at high elevations. Besides the sheffies which just are not going to leave the stage there are only scattered others, one here, one there. The cold and rain are on their way, did they get to your place already?
ReplyDeleteFrances
Gail - It's wonderful that you still have blooms. And I hope the bumbles are with you for a long time still.
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't suffer from the frost. Your flowers are still looking good. Great photos and info.
ReplyDeleteI think the trees protected you. Us too. I am seeing a ton of those bugs that you show on your coneflower. Wonder what they are? Do you think all these flowers will be around for bloom day?:) That is what I am wondering. That bumble is sweet and ain't sung yet..
ReplyDeleteQuite magical!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at all of your blooms. We still have quite a few. We're experiencing 80 degree temps today!
Cameron
These blooms out of season seem so special. I have David phlox, some coneflower, May Night and Roses still blooming here and there.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
zoe,
ReplyDeleteHi...and good afternoon. The asters are wonderful, a native plant that feeds those bumbles during these last days of fall. The growing conditions you describe is exactly why they are happy here! I planted them under a tree and let the leaves fall...during the winter when we get all our rain...the trees protect them from getting soggy. They have been multiplying nicely. Have a good weekend!
gail
I prefer the notion that it's magic as well -- I've always thought your property was positively enchanting, and this proves it. ;) How lucky you are to have such wonderful color left...and fat bees!
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the flowers even more these last days of blooming. The bumbles are so delightfully busy...nearly impossible to photograph they are moving so fast. How is life in the Tidewater area?
Gail
Well Gail,
ReplyDeleteI'm a little droopy and have lost the blush of youth myself. But like your flowers, I still look pretty good!;-) Great pictures, I'm glad you still have so much color.-Randy
lythrum,
ReplyDeleteThey really are busy little bees. I always used that phrase to describe hurried activity, but it means more now that I am paying closer attention to the bees! Tell me what is still blooming in your garden?
Gail
Beckie,
ReplyDeleteIs there still bloom happening in your Illinois garden?
This fall has been lovely... it may be blogging has kept me focused or it may be that I am paying more attention in general! But the bees are catching my eye more and more.
Yes more cosmos and more zinnias! Easy plants and lovely additions to the garden...why I haven't used them before is still a mystery!
Have a peaceful and gentle weekend, my friend.
gail
marnie,
ReplyDeleteThe bumbles must be very happy to visit your garden!
The phlox and coneflower are always good draws. These late bloomers are special and do lend a magic quality to the days. Have a lovely weekend Marnie...
Gail
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteHello. I wish we could hold back the weather but there isn't enough magic here for that! We are having rain and while that signals real fall changes, it was very much needed...
Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you see some wonderful birds to share with us!
Gail
Frances,
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to be in the mountains with you...we would have had a great time id-ing the wildflowers and other natives. Your mountains are lovely.
The rains are here and the Clay and limestone magic can't hold back the changes for much longer. It smells like fall to me now. Earthy and damp. You know, the sheffies you gave me are going to love the rain! I hope it moves your way!
Like you are blooms are scattered here and there, but still give us plenty of enjoyment.
Have a wonderful weekend, my dear friend, talk with you later!
gail
cindy,
ReplyDeleteI think these bumbles are going to be hightailing it to warmer and dryer abodes! We are getting a lot of much needed rain! Thank you for stopping by so early this morning. I hope you, Lillian and your dear Mr, have a good weekend with great toddler adventures.
gail
darla,
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to still have some blooms! I am glad to share them with you all! Darla thank you for your morning hello and I do hope your weekend is full and rewarding.
Gail
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI doubt they will make it until then, but Bloom Day can be about the month! That's my take on it and I am sticking to it! See you over at blotanical...Have a good weekend in the garden and out of it!
Gail
Your garden is indeed magical, Gail! All these beautiful blooms in November, not to mention the bees still hard at work! I'm afraid the bees and butterflies left here over a week ago, but maybe they can't find any blooms under all the leaves that have blown into the flowerbeds:)
ReplyDeleteCameron,
ReplyDeleteThat is warm! We had been in the mid 70s but today our high shall only reach the mid 60's....with a possibility of a frost tomorrow night! Sigh. It is autumn.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Gail
Rose,
ReplyDeleteLeaves! The rains are here so there will be more to move about the garden! Will you leave them to decay on the beds or will you rake them? Such a decision.
I am going to miss the bumbles when they are gone, but their offspring will be back next spring...we can share the first bumble photos with each other! Now that we are appreciating bugs so much more!
Have a delightful and easy weekend....don't overdo the raking!
Gail
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThank you! You are the best friend of this garden...it is wild and natural...not groomed or well behaved. Magical at times! Nancy, I hope you have a great weekend and thank you for taking delight in my garden.
Gail
Randy,
ReplyDeleteToo funny. I am glad you stopped by...we are having big rains and cooler temps so the bumbles are hiding until the sun shines and the warm temps are back!
Have a lovely weekend!
Gail
Wonderful photos Gail. Magical is a great word to describe this time of year!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteThanks...I am imaging that your even more protected southern garden is still beautiful! Have fun...I am hoping some rain comes your way!
Gail
Hi Gail - it looks like you're going to have plenty left for Blooms Day this month! Fingers crossed Jack Frost doesn't come your way.
ReplyDeleteYou asked what zone my garden's in over at my place. I reckon it's about Zone 8. However it's the winter wet that's the killer round here, not the frost!
Have a great weekend - I suspect it'll be a bit quieter for you after last week's Halloween?
vp,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer! The winter wet is the big plant killer here! With clay soil and most of our rain during the winters...anything that prefers it on the sharp draining side exits this garden! It's not unusual to lose salvias and forget lavenders!
Have a good weekend...
Gail
Dear Gail........how magical to still have so many blooms at this time of year. The big bonus though is of course the bumbles.......enjoy........
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteThose bumbles...aren't they something else! I have a feeling that they will be back in a few days! If the asters are still blooming and the days warm up. I am going to let the dandelions bloom this spring and plant more clover...so the early bee gets the nectar!
Gail
I believe in magic! Still see the flutterbugs around our neck of the woods too! I wish those pretty yellow ones would slow down so I could see what they are. But they are so busy going from one bloom to another trying to find the last sips of nectar. They dont have time for photo ops. :-) I spotted a Gulf a few days ago also.
ReplyDeleteSkeeter,
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky to have gotten a photo of the sulphur...but there are dozens of different sulphurs!
Have fun in your garden this weekend and good luck capturing a few of the flutterbugs on digital!
gail
gail so glad you were spared by the frost. i have very little left. but i didn't really plant for the fall this year. i will work on that for next year. moving is so time consuming i am just now feeling more settled after a year and a half here. i will be doing more outside now the inside feels more finished. all of my bumbles must be with you. but the birds are loving all the spent flowers here.
ReplyDeleteMagic indeed, I hope your flowers hang on for bit longer, if in the upcoming winter you have a need to see flowers stop by my blog I promise to take lots of pictures.
ReplyDeleteplease let me know if you are going to f/market. i don't think i am. dh is with friend from out of town, i could send your gift from meems. email me if you think you are going to make it.
ReplyDeleterosebudn6@aol.com
marmee,
ReplyDeleteGardens take a bit of time to figure out what needs to go where and what works best here and there. Now that you know your property ...it will come together. I am still working out all the whats and wheres after 20 years!
How kind that meems thought of me! I wished that we could have managed a visit...it was one hectic weekend with funerals and a sick husband! Next time! I will email if I decide to go!
Gail
rusty,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invite...I will probably be there frequently! Hope you have a great weekend,
Gail
Isn't that true, as long as wildlife continues to visit our blooms. Great post today Gail.
ReplyDeleteNext summer I'm going to work on my butterfly photos - you inspire me! And, now I'm curious, where do those fat bumbles go?
ReplyDeleteIt's great you still have blooms, and bees! I saw a big fat bumblebee on Sunday and was very surprised that they were still around.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you still have blooms next weekend for bloom day!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Carol,
ReplyDeleteSo what are the rules! Only on the actual day or the days proceeding! Hey, I gotta push a little!
Gail
How nice the trees protected your garden from the frost Gail!
ReplyDeleteWe're still seeing a few bees around here too. It's nice to know our gardens are still providing for the flying critters.
There's a special beauty about the autumn garden, including the blooms that are dropping and have lost the blush of their youth. Knowing that it will all soon be gone makes it that much more special, and makes me want to enjoy every possible moment until its over.
barbarapc,
ReplyDeleteMost of them work and work and work and then die! They have a short life, maybe a couple of months...they live to feed the hive or to feed the next generation...if they aren't hive dwellers. Some bees are solitary and just take care of their nest. Sometimes you will see the bees sleeping on the flowers...that is where they spent the night. I am not an expert but reading about them is fascinating. They are vitally important to our agriculture! Gail
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThat was very beautifully said! Thank you for summing up my feelings.
Gail
Racquel,
ReplyDeleteAs long as there are flowers and a bee...fall is still here!
Thank you...as always I am glad you stopped by!
Gail
My bumbles are still here too. And my anemone is blooming. In fact, most everything is still blooming. And I'm walking around in shorts!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
brenda,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful...I would like to be able to wear my flip flops a little bit longer, too!
gail
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteDo you have a garden blog? Or do I leave a comment at the button floozies site?
Gail
So many beautiful flowers. I love that your site is south facing and the trees protect it from frost.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite you have shown is the rue anemone.It is indeed, magical.
:)
Regards,
Philip
Just beautiful. I am so glad that the bumblebees decided to stay and visit your garden for a little bit longer. And congrats on having such beautiful flowers and plants that survived the frost! I hope they can grace your garden for a few more weeks... before winter comes!
ReplyDeleteThere's no other explanation ~ magic it is. I am in awe. November and cosmos! as if that weren't enough you also have bumblebees! Both of which have long been gone here (in Colorado). Wish there was some way you could pass that pixie dust around...
ReplyDeleteGail, you still have so many beautiful flowers. I'm so glad the frost didn't take them out.
ReplyDeleteI have a few still blooming here. My roses are at it again. They are the blooming est things I've ever seen. This is my first yr. with them & I've been very happy with them. It's mostly winter veggies now. Had some lettuce already.I've noticed more bumbles around here since I got more blooming flowers.
Wow, I can't believe you still have all those pretty flowers. I have bits of a butterfly bush left and that was a bumble on it today. I guess fall ain't over!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you still have a coneflower blooming! Did you notice how brown and dead ours look in the Halloween pix I posted? Ours literally gave up the ghost long ago ... And you have Cosmos still blooming, wow! I haven't grown that one in several years, but want to again next year, but when we get the first frost they are goners!
Sometime this weekend I should have a post up about our frost survivors, but I just haven't had the time to put it together just yet. But we still have Calendulas, Snapdragons, Zebrina mallow and CA poppies blooming, believe it or not!
What a great title! I like the color combo on the blue flower. I bet the canopy of the trees has protected some of them.
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteThe canopy protects and sucks up all the water! The asters are wonderful...I let them pop up where ever they want!
Gail
IVG,
ReplyDeleteThe coneflowers have been a wonderful surprise...but if I remember correctly, they were still happily blooming very late last year in the cedar glade....into October. We have had warm weather...but that is just about ready to be over!
I bet the poppies and caledula look lovely in your garden! I wish the CA poppies liked it here...they just don't...it may be timing of seed scattering or the wet winters!
Thanks for the seeds...I look forward to my care package! Take care...have a relaxing weekend!
gail
dot,
ReplyDeleteIt ain't over till that fat bumble leaves!
Gail
lola,
ReplyDeleteI think your garden sounds charming...cottagy with winter vegies and roses! Glad the bumbles are showing up there...they are a wonderful guest to have in the garden.
Gail
kathleen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know your location...even tho you have said CO before I keep putting you in PA!
The bumbles are still here and I think whenever it is warm and there are blooms they show up...that is magic!
I suspect that the freeze forecast for early in the week will take out the blooms...I can't cover them up all winter can I?
Have a good weekend filled with fun.
Gail
Phillip B,
ReplyDeleteit is a lovely little flower! It came with the Christmas fern! I bought them last year and made sure that all of the ferns had little extras tucked in them. The grower specializes in native plants so there are often gifts in all the pots! Can you grow them in SF?
Have a lovely weekend.
Gail
Hey DP,
ReplyDeleteHow are things in your neighborhood! Yo need to visit here sometime and we can have a cup of tea/coffee on the porch if it is still warm out there!
Aren't we scheduled for another frost on MOnday! Yikes...row covers might be in order to extend the vegie year!
Gail
I think fall is coming to a close here. I am going out in search of bumbles today but I think there is little left for them in the garden. Fall is magic, you are right!
ReplyDeleteYour playful titles make your readers smile even before we get to the wonderful posts, Gail!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a fat bumble lately, but the small bees are still buzzing in the cupheas.
A south-facing slope may extend the magic a little longer, but it takes someone who first pays attention and then shares what she sees to make so many magical posts. It's a pleasure to watch autumn gradually arrive through your eyes.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Love your title !!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you've had frost already yet have a garden that looks like summer.
Everything is beautiful.
Having lots of tall trees definitely protects the garden from frost. The frost always hits the front garden here way before it gets the back woodland garden. I'm so jealous your Anemonella is reblooming! The foliage of mine lasted an incredibly long time this year (to the end of October). But I doubt I could ever get mine to rebloom. That is one good magic trick.
ReplyDeleteI grew Cyclamen hederifolium at my old house. It did very well under an Ash. I tried to grow it here, but the squirrels dug up all the corms. (I didn't have any squirrels at my old house.)
Hi Gail,
ReplyDeletere: rue anemone
Is the genus Anemonella thalictroides? I looked in Sunset garden guide and that was not mentioned. I did look up Thalictrum and that does not live long in zone 18-24. We are in zone 17, but being on the east side of the city I think we are closer to zone 18. I do love the enchanted woodland quality. I am going to try it and I found a source. I also found some native varieties, so it has been fun to research.
All the best,
Philip
Oh Yes the Bumble knows and buzzzes where there is Magic! Boy oh boy a LOT of Magic still blo-zzzzzz-oming in your
ReplyDeletegarden!
Phillip,
ReplyDeleteI am excited to found them...I ought to have padded their latin name but when you are trying to be fanciful some things get dropped...here is a nice bit of info for you:
http://www.paghat.com/anemonella.html
Good luck
Gail
naturegirl,
ReplyDeleteThe bumbles and buzzers are believers in garden magic! So are some of we bloggers! Glad you stopped by for a visit!
Gail
Hi Gail, It's fun to see what's still happening in your gardens! Ours are pretty gray and leaf-colored these days!! We received a little snow flurry this morning, but it didn't last long. My parents received an inch of snow yesterday (North Central Iowa). Thanks for the treat! :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're still going aren't we? the bumbles are still here and going strong. That rain really brightened things up as well! Your flowers look great!
ReplyDeleteMMD,
ReplyDeleteIt was a complete surprise to find the rue anemone. I love the cyclamen...it is a pleasant little flower. It has been happy here for a number of years, I am not sure how they have escaped the squirrels...maybe the hickory nuts and acorns keep them occupied. I don't think the trees will be able to protect the garden much longer...we do have frost warnings for early next week. The winds are blowing the leaves off the trees, too! Can winter be far behind?
Gail
Patsi,
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky, but not for much longer. The heats on in the house, the wind is blowing and the frost warnings are for cold weather on MOnday! Thank you for coming by and visiting the flowers and bumbles!
Gail
Dave,
ReplyDeleteIt has been lovely hasn't it! A good time to plant. We did need the rain! How much did you measure? I thought it would rain more~~the state still needs rain!
Gail
layanee,
ReplyDeleteThe last of the color and no chance of any blooms...that is the hard part! We had a nice long fall and I think you all did too. Hopefully the first big snow won't come to RI till later!
Gail
Annie,
ReplyDeleteThank you again for a lovely compliment. It means a lot to know that folks enjoy a post....sometimes they are just so much fun to write! My high school English teacher would be tickled.
Fall has been incredible here in Nashville...some neighborhoods are still golden and the yards with deeper soil have fantastic maples glowing orange!
...and how are things in your warmer part of the world?
Gail
Shady,
ReplyDeleteSnow! Is that early for them or right on time? When I was in MO...our first snow could happen around Thanksgiving but the bigger snows arrived in January.
We don't get snow here unless a cold front from up north dips down and hits our wet winter weather.
Is your garden ready for winter? Are you ready for it?
Gail
Gail, I'll go with magic... but I'm glad that you gave the other explanation of Clay & Limestone's escape from the killing frost. It gives me ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at your flowers, bees, and the like from the last several posts. I still have a few blooms, but our weather in Nebraska has turned cold, so I don't know how much will be holding on by next week's bloom day.
ReplyDeleteHi again Gail,
ReplyDeleteThat puzzles me a bit about the CA poppies not doing well down there your way. It probably does have something to do with when you sow the seed, because we've found that if we just let them self sow naturally we have great luck with them, but unless you get them out really early in spring, they don't do much for us. If you want them, I'd suggest getting some seeds now and throwing them around soon ... we have a little bit left we plan on spreading when we get the rest of the bulbs in, so they can spend the winter in the cold ground and spring to life next year....
Gail,
ReplyDeleteYou've got some very pretty magic going on in your wonderful TN garden. What would we do without our tree cover? It is so nice when the weather turns just cold enough to cause a little damage... protecting with its broad arms hovering over the tender undergrowth.
I just love hearing the bees as I'm busy about the garden. We are friends I think. They don't bother me, I don't bother them and they seem to know it. Here's to hoping yours stay for a very long time. Loved your title by the way.
Have a happy Sunday!
Meems.
Bumbles bounce!
ReplyDeleteSorry. I just had to say it. Love your photos and all that's still in bloom. Between all the lovely photos in your and Frances' blogs, I think I may just have to move to TN!
~Monica
Lucky you, Gail, with so much beauty and life still in your garden. Enjoy these golden days!
ReplyDeletejoey,
ReplyDeleteThank you...they are still golden days with gray chill heading our way as only winter can! Have a good week. Thank you for popping over! Gail
Monica/Garden faerie,
ReplyDeleteThey do bounce and make good friends with misfit toys Hermey the Elf and Rudolph!
Tennessee and the garden bloggers here would love you to join us.
Gail
Kim/blackswampgirl,
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean you have a slope and we will get to read a good post on your ideas?
Gail
Hey meems,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you stopped by today. I have been out all day with the Mr...driving around looking at the parks and the still lovely tree color.
Those all important trees You have good tree cover, too..your trees protect your beds from too much sun and and mine keep out the cold! A very nice arrangement isn't it?
I have been reading about our native bees, what a fascinating subject they are! They are all welcome here. Don't bother me, either...I think that folks get overly concerned they will sting. They usually don't.
Have a good week and I know we will be visiting.
gail
Gail, I am always so awed by your incredible nature photography! It is such a pleasant trip into your world every week when I check out what you've posted lately! Just gorgeous flowers and plants!
ReplyDeleteThank you also for telling my hubby thank you for his time served in Viet Nam! I showed him all the comments and he really appreciated them.
Marie
I should have also mentioned that I thought your "It ain't over till the fat bumble leaves" was really clever! :-)
ReplyDeleteSome truly beautiful pictures! I am quite good at failing with plants – what can I say, you gotta be specialised in somethings as a gardener. However, the one Cyclamen I have indoors, on my windowsill, has been next to dying several times, but after a splash of water it always comes back. Much to my surprise. It probably IS magic in this house.
ReplyDeleteCamellia,
ReplyDeleteMagic is to be treasured where ever we find it! Marvelous that it is happy on your windowsill!
Gail