Rattlesnake Plantain

Found this basal leaf whorl in the little wood today.
It has appeared between to a clump of Heart's-a-Busting (Euonymus americanus)
 and an old oak tree we had cut down a few years ago.

It is Goodyera pubescens the so called rattlesnake plantain but my wildflower book lists it as an orchid.

Apparently native Americans used it medicinally to treat snake bites hence the common name.
I guess I missed the small flower spike this summer  or maybe it has yet to bloom.
Interesting furry leaves even if it has no flower.

Orystachys iwarenge

Sometimes called 'Chinese Dunce Caps'

in the fall this succulent  starts  to put up it's flower stalks.

In the spring it puts out runners with little plantlets on the end and makes an interesting ground cover

It doesn't mind sharing a space , here with 

Hesperaloe parviflora grown from seed

that my son sent from the street plantings in Phoenix AZ

Here poking out amongst rain lilies

It is so happy in a  hypertufa container

Here is link to a Master Gardener website with instructions on how to make a hypertufa container
Do it with a group, we did at the Pitt County Arboretum
It's lots of fun
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/hypertufa.htm

Muhly Beginnings

The Muhlenbergia capillaris (Muhly Grass)
is just beginning to open

I like the combination of the 'Autumn Joy' Sedum heads 
and the new foliage of the 'Knock Out' Rose with the Muhly Grass

Blackberry Lily

Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) becoming  what it's name implies

Remember those small orange flowers from July?

This is their transformation. Good for fall arrangements

Fireworks

Solidago (Golden Rod) 'Fireworks'
with Salvia 'Indigo Spires'

Although the golden rod has just come into bloom
 the Salvia blooms all summer until frost. 
Bees love it making it difficult to cut back at all if you have the mind to do so.

The cascading style of the golden rod 
marries well with the more upright salvia.

Peeking out below a new plant this year
 from  Plant Delights Zexmenia hispida
This Texas plant would have been better
if I had not planted it so close to the Salvia,
Oh well , next year

Mexican Bush Sage, Day & Night

The purple and white variety of Salvia leucantha in morning light
and with the harvest moon

Signs of Fall

After 2 weeks of vacation the garden has started showing signs of fall

Magnolia grandiflora seeds
Pileated Woodpeckers favor these

Calicarpa americana (beautyberry)
A favorite of Mockingbirds

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
The all purple type, a favourite of mine