Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: October 2010

Blooms are scarce in my garden this month, but, truth to tell, this week I've been more fascinated by leaves than by my meager blooms. We are not known for our fall leaf color here in humid Southeast Texas, but this year, we seem to be getting a little more of those conventional autumn hues than we normally do, and so those are the first "blooms" I want to mention on this Bloom Day.


The leaves are falling faster and faster and they carpet the yard everywhere that I walk.


And when I look up, I see a colorful leaf mosaic against the sky.


The leaves seem to be changing color even as I watch.


The leaves of the Japanese maple turn an ever deeper hue.


Elsewhere in the garden, the muscadine grapes will soon be changing color, too.


The gerberas had rested from blooming during several weeks of our hottest weather, but now they are celebrating the cooler temperatures by sending out more blooms.


The orange gerberas have joined the blooming frenzy.


And the orange butterflies - Gulf Fritillaries - take full advantage.


'Red Cascade' rose rested for a while, too, but now it is back, giving me bouquets of its tiny, perfect red blooms every day. This is one of my favorite roses.


In another rose bed, this blue mistflower has reseeded itself among the 'Radazz' Knockouts. I've left it alone because the butterflies love it so, and I love the butterflies.


The butterflies love these prairie asters, too. They are just beginning to open up for me. By next month, they should be in full bloom.


As for 'Radsunny', she never quits. She has given me a profusion of blooms all spring, summer, and now fall, in spite of heat and drought and neglect. This picture shows the progression of her blooms. When she first opens up, she's a butter yellow, but as she ages, she fades to a pale mellow yellow. Some gardeners find this an objectionable trait, but I rather like it. After all, we gardeners change as we age, too. Sometimes it's even for the better.


In the veggie/herb garden, the basil offers its purple blooms to the bees who swarm to it every day.


Near the front door, a pot of cheery yellow mums with 'Purple Heart' tradescantia greets visitors.


But overhead, the bright colors of autumn leaves outdo all the blooms in the garden this month.

Thanks for visiting my garden this Bloom Day. Don't forget to check in with Carol of May Dreams Gardens and see a list of all the other Bloom Day participants.

Happy gardening!