Confederate Rose

This fantastic fall weather, warm sunny days after Hurricane Matthew has brought forth some beautiful blossoms.

The Hibiscus mutabilis is blooming like it never has before.

At the Pitt County Arboretum we have been thinking about propagation of our plants in advance of next year's plant sale. (May 20th)

Here is some advice for a very simple method.

http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/confederate-rose-rooting/

Sungold Tomato Keeps on Giving

Tomatoes for Hallowene

The fruit has reached the other side of the arch

I planted this tomato plant at the outside of the trellis in May. Throughout a very wet growing year & a searing couple of months this summer it sulked & I almost pulled it out with the rest of the laggards. Hardly any fruit & frazzled foliage. Sungold  has always been a good provider for me even though I have root knot nematode in this area. I have tried marigolds & asparagus here both of which are supposed to discourage said nematodes. Maybe they are starting to have an effect.

This arch of cattle panel is about 6 ft high in the center

Deer have trimmed the foliage that hangs outside the fence but they don't seem to taste the fruit.

Rain Garden

After Hurricane Matthew, bright sunny days make the rain garden sparkle.

Even if rather left leaning!

 Swamp Sunflower & Beautyberry

Helianthus angustifolia & Calicarpa americana

What a way to start your day

coming out of the garage to hundreds of flowers enjoying the sunshine

Muhly Grass on a Misty Morning

Looking like something suitable for Halloween 

the Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) at the curb is weighed down with the morning mist

The Gaura mimics it's neighbor.

Gaura lindheimeri is unusually short & much more controlled this year.

The cars don't have to swing around it's trailing tentacles thanks to the dear deer!

Colorful Autumn Natives

Bidens aristosa also known as Tickseed Sunflower

Grows wild at the side of Paramore park on Fire Tower Road, which is where I collected the seed for these in the Wildflower Garden at the Pitt County Arboretum.

A true Pitt County native annual!

The October 6th tour at 10 am

 at the Arboretum

will feature seed collection

especially in the wildflower garden

http://pittcountyarboretum.blogspot.com

Hardy Ageratum (Conoclinium coelstinum) is another fall flower you see blooming on the side of the road here. An aggressive spreader by root & seed, but the color is something I could not be without.

It seems to go on forever here in the circle.

The trick to having this in your garden is to pull it all out in the winter

Magically it always appears again next year. Not necessarily in the same place!

Pairing this with Muhly Grass

(Muhlenbergia capillaris)

at left, just starting to bloom,

would be a fine sight to see.

Fruitful Autumn Natives

The birds are enjoying the fruits of the Calicarpa americana

I have seen Robins, Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Cardinals & Finches on this shrub this week

They also enjoy the Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

This large specimen is several years old

I know people here think this a giant weed but it is really ornamental

Maybe I will start a trend....or not!

Signs of Autumn, at last

A little cooler & less humidity

seems to deepen colors 

The Salvia 'Indigo Spires' with Helianthus maximiliani

I try to pull this sunflower out of the circle but some root always remains

then in a rain storm these tall stalks fall over & mingle creating a perfect contrast.

Unsurprisingly Mother Nature knows better than me

Pollinators enjoy these flowers too