Light in the Sculpture Garden

Hydrangea paniculata

The Secret Garden is at its darkest and most subdued in the late Fall and Winter. But on November 11th, we had some marvelous bright sun. So much the better to view the fading blossoms of Hydrangea, which paniculata carry well into winter and hold my attention when I'm actually outside, or viewing them from the Pavilion.

Fall in the Meander

Philadelphus leaves and faded seed heads

I love these vignettes of dark and light, faded leaves and seed heads; Fall before it turns mournful and Winter squeezes the color out of the garden. Even in this state, I think about how amazingly fragrant this Philadelphus is when in bloom; it fills the garden with a citrus scent--even when I'm on the other side of the house.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden from the Piazzetta

One of my favorite views in my garden is looking at the Secret Garden from the Piazzetta. (This is looking the opposite way from the view in this post.) Here in the pale Fall light, the leaves scattered on the path and the boxwood make for a quiet scene of transition. My habit is to pause here and and take in not only the plants, but to take a measure of the season. Where have we just come from? Where are we headed? What am I missing?

Plume Poppy's Last Stand

Macleaya cordata

I love the rare moments of sunshine we get in November here in the Northwest. And when the brilliant sun makes its cameo, you have to make the best of it. So when I walked out to see what I could see in the garden, I came upon this Macleaya cordata catching the late afternoon light. I love the beauty of the leaves, stems and stalks as they break down into their inevitable and final resting place: compost.

Southward Across the Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Looking south from the bench in the Secret Garden, the pale fall light scatters through bare branches and highlights the yellowing leaves. The lavender, which should have been cut back at the end of August remains unshorn. The Italian Alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca, 'Fragola di Bosco') in the parterre are still producing fruit.

Helen's Flower

Helenium 'Morheim Beauty'

For years I've read about the the virtues of Helenium 'Morheim Beauty' as a stalwart in the late summer-early fall garden. And for whatever reason, I just couldn't see them fitting into my garden. Until now. The yellow-orange-red zing amidst the fading grasses is a pleasant piece of summer. When much of the garden has given up the ghost, Helenium 'Morheim Beauty' soldiers on and on. It will be interesting to see how the plant takes to life in "Piet" next summer.

Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction'

Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction'

With all the wacky things that plant breeders are doing to Echinacea, I still prefer the plain old Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus.' But then I came across Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction' and I knew I needed to loosen my conservative kravate. This plant was introduced by my guy, Piet Oudolf. The blooms are purple just as they open and then become an intense purplish pink. Although still in full bloom in my front yard now on November 1, I'm not sure if that's because I planted these in late September, or if they would normally be blooming now. We'll find out in a year.