Frosty Morning

Frost on a zinnia flower.Frost on dill. BTW, dill and parsley are the only fall crops that are doing well...
... broccoli and cabbage that I planted in August look sad.
Frost on a strawberry plant.
A few late raspberries. They look plump and liking the cooler weather.
Fungi on an old bush stump. Beautiful!
Crape myrtle has lost almost all leaves.
Frost on my knock-out rose.
Fall garden.
Yellow and red trees, white grass...
It's time to dig up dahlias and remaining gladiolus bulbs. We'll be out of town this weekend, so it's on a job list for the next. Hope it's not too late by then.

Mum Time

It's sign of early fall--round, bushy and colorful mums show up in stores and markets. When I went grocery shopping today, I could not resist putting this maroon baby in my basket. Only $4! This gave me a small push I needed to spruce up the entry to our house.I repotted the mum in a larger pot previously occupied by petunia and coleus. Both were not doing so well after long, hot summer. Part of the coleus could be salvaged. I think this looks nice!

Mums are perennials. Most likely I will replant this one somewhere in my garden. It will not have its current perfect round shape next year, but that's OK.

Chincoteague Island

Our family is on vacation on Chincoteague Island, VA. Yesterday I rode a bike around with sole purpose to check out front gardens. It was a very enjoyable ride. I did not stop much to take pictures--I felt I would be intruding somehow. Or I'd need to stop every half-block.

The small spaces charmed me the most.
Colorful storefront on Main Street.

Sam's Farm

With nothing planned for this afternoon, I decided to go visit Sam's Farm nursery on Route 7 near Falls Church. For one reason or another I had not been there yet this year.They have wide variety of plants, shrubs and garden decorations.
I feel like a kid in a candy store every time I go there. I want this and this, and this... Meadow rue is so beautiful. Just a picture this time will have to suffice.
Love this green horse. Everything seems to be growing so well at Sam's Farm.
This dude looks just like my dad :)
Elephant. Or is it a mammoth?
Mammoth detail...
My purchase: black salvia, perennial verbena, toad lily and one more flower I do not know the name of. Did I keep the tag??? And exactly where I should plant them?
I really did not need any more plants, but cannot help but get something when I'm in nurseries. I guess some people have the same feeling in shoe or department stores. Then in comparison my obsession is not as costly. This black salvia was the most expensive purchase and only $10.
At first I did not have a clear idea where everything would go. After some plant musical chairs in my front yard, everything is in ground and well watered. Grow well now!

Nameless Beauty

I do not know what this plant is. In my mind I call it "pretty nettle". I has been in my garden ever since we moved in. The plant is annual, it releases strange aroma and has small, insignificant flowers. It self-seeds and I have it in many places in my garden.

The most striking feature is the purple leaves that also have an iridescent glow to them. Right now the plants are in their prime.