Filling the Frame with Autumn Beauty

I like Gardening Gone Wild's photo contest theme this month - Fill the Frame.

It's tough for me to be disciplined enough to

cut my photos down to the bare minimum. 

To keep only the elements that contribute. 

Sometimes I find the right balance.

I find the heart of the picture...

and zero in on it. 

Find beauty in the 

subtle color and elegant simplicity of form in

Cana Lily leaves.   

Or focus on

feathery fountain grass with a

fiery red echo. 

This is my entry in the contest.

Stunning Salvias at Hershey Gardens

The annual beds of Hershey Gardens were

in their glory at the beginning of October.
We had a beautiful, blustery day to
wind our way through the still colorful gardens.
The blooming grasses added their dynamic dimension, 
but they'll have to wait for another post.

For now I'll focus on annuals, and
give Salvias first billing
as the major stars of the show for me.

Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' was in gorgeous bloom. 

Hardy to zone 7, it's grown as an annual here in zone 6.

Hot pink Wendy's Wish Sage (Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' - hardy to zone 9)
brings up the rear with dramatic color.
A new variety, I read that part of its
proceeds go to the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The casual tangle of
pink Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
provides a nice contrast to the vibrant spikes. 

 

Deep Purple Sage
(middle left - Salvia splendens 'Vista Purple' - tender perennial zones 11a-12b) 
and Wax Begonias
weave waves of color into this
pink and blue tapestry.

The Hershey Chocolate Factory is visible to the right in the background. 
The historic property, where the chocolate company began, has recently been sold, its operations to be relocated to a modern plant. 
The iconic symbol in the heart of town will be missed. 

Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia gauranitica 'Black and Blue' - hardy to zone 8),
is another striking member of the family.
Its electric blue color is set off by black stems and calyces 

 

I was taken by the dramatic

Cock's Comb Flamingo (Celosia spicata),

a new annual to me. 

A bit gangly in form,it looks suited to the
rear of a bed with fronting plants providing a "skirt".

 

Mexican Bush Sage

(left foreground - Salvia leucantha 'Cislano' - hardy to zone 8),

is a luscious rich pink-purple color

with a kind of free wheeling habit.

It's easy to see why it's also called Velvet Sage.

I've always loved annual Salvia and am determined to

branch out and try some of these varieties.

Enjoy these glorious the days of early fall,

full of color and life.

Late Summer Combinations III

I'll finish out late summer combinations 
with a few more picks, 

seen around town in late August.

Late blooming Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)

fly high above Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

just starting to gain a rosy glow.

Two of my favorite late summer perennials:

• The electric blue flowers of Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - front)
• A late blooming variety of Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida).

Combined with waning blooms of

Blue Fortune Hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune') and

Lilyturf (Lirope muscari - a few small spikes peeking through in the top right corner),

they make a sunny corner of color.

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) and 

annual Nasturtium are a

treat for the eyes as well as the stomache -

both are edible.

Check out these recipes for

Nasturtium Soup and Nasturtium Risotto.

Garlic Chive (Allium tuberosum) bloom



Graceful plumes of Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides - left)

add flair to any grouping in late summer. 

It's taking over for the fading flowers of

white Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata - middle left) and a

dwarf Hydrangea (right), while

Autumn Joy Sedum is just starting its show (middle right).

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

shouts out from a

sea of purple Verbena.

Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

still neutral in late August,

creates a muted palette with

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca).

Purple Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum var.) and the

blue flower spikes of Lilyturf (Lirope muscari)

make a striking pair.

For more great plant combinations, see: 

Late Summer Combinations I

and Late Summer Combinations II.