GBBD: October 2013

 Welcome to my Central Basin woodland garden and the Garden Bloggers Bloom Day fall show.

The garden has begun its transition from the golden hues of the Susans and the Goldenrods to the the soft purple mist of violets and blues of the ex-asters. They aren't the only flowers in bloom, but, they are the big fall show and dearly loved by the many garden residents and visitors who visit for pollen, nectar and seeds.

The centers turn red centers when the flower is pollinated

Symphyotrichum shortii(N) is by far the most abundant ex-aster in the garden. They were one of the first wildflowers to introduce themselves to me almost 30 years ago when we moved into this wooded neighborhood and I've loved them ever since. I let them stand all winter and set seed every where. I think they are stunning massed, but, for a less exuberant look pair them with grasses and bold leaved plants.

Don't tell the other seasons, but, Autumn is my favorite and October is my favorite month! The sky is a seamless blue, the days are cooler and the light is fantastic. (See post October Blue Skies)

Aster tataricus

It's a busy time in the garden, even busier than spring. Wildflowers welcome the foraging bees, the nectaring butterflies, a host of other pollinators and birds as they make a mad dash to mate, to provide for offspring or to prepare themselves for migration. (see Pardon My Big Aster for more on Aster tataricus)

It's one of the best times to photograph the critters, they're slower and pose sweetly on the flowers. I like to think they're savoring the last of the pollen and nectar.

Gaura lindheimeri 'Crimson Butterflies'

Many of the plants that stopped blooming in the summer make a repeat visit in October. I welcome back the pink butterfly blooms of Gaura lindheimeri. It sulked all summer, but is putting on a vary nice show right now.

Some wildflowers only bloom in the fall and Eupatorium serotinum(N) is one of them. It's a magnet for pollinators and colonizes wonderfully to fill in large areas with its white Asteraceae blooms.

Salvia leucantha

 Salvia leucantha is a very late bloomer. It opens up when one needs its pop of violet and white flowers, just in time for the last of the nectar robbing carpenter bees to forage on it.

Luscious, velvety Salvia azurea(N) is a counterpoint to the yellows and golds of early Autumn. Collect seed and sow in the garden for a large stand.

Floppy Golden Aster (N) brings a much needed spot of golden yellow back to the garden when the Susans fade.

The Sulphur butterflies rejoice when Salvia elegans begins to bloom. They've been circling the garden for weeks, waiting to make a big yellow statement against the intense red flowers. The hummers are thrilled, too. If truth be told, so am I.

Although, this is a native plant garden, I do plant annuals like the Salvias mentioned earlier, delicious red Pentas (above) multi-colored lantanas, a few violas, cupheas, Purple hyacinth vine and,

Bumble resting on the rusty sunflower while nectaring on the Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis for their long bloom, their lovely flowers and to feed the pollinators. The sight and sounds of busy bees, butterflies and other critters makes me happy.

Before long the humming and buzzing will be gone, until then I will appreciate each and every flower that feeds the critters and fills my heart with joy.

xoxogail

It's October 15 and you know what that means! Garden bloggers all over the blogosphere are celebrating Bloom Day. You can see more gardens then you can imagine in one day if you stop by Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens to take the Mr linky magic carpet ride to flower adventure.

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.