Fall Musings

No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face;

—John Donne (1572–1631) "Elegy IX: The Autumnal"

I went to the Middfest on Sunday and as usual for the past twenty-five years, was not disappointed. There were a wealth of things to learn and to enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the native plant display that provided valuable information to encourage the use of native plants and to discourage the use of invasive non-native plants. I had not been to the Plaza in a long while and was delighted with the plantings in the long walkway that passes the Manchester Hotel and the AIM building on the way to the City Building. The beds overflowed and billowed with naturalistically designed mass plantings of tall red salvia and a shorter yellow blooming plant – Melampodium. Both plants are drought tolerant, long blooming, and easy to grow. I would like to know the name of the red salvia – I am sure it attracts hummingbirds. The water features had tall white salvia and “Alaska” nasturtiums. Whoever is responsible for these plantings, I would like to say to them – “Well Done!”
I was busy this week in my garden. I have neglected it lately because of the heat and other activities. There was an enormous rosebush, a “Constance Spry,” that became infected with a virus that causes abnormal canes. It had also simply become too large for my modest yard. For several months now I have been meaning to take it out. On one of the cooler days we had last week, I finally got the heavy duty pruners, the elbow length leather rose gloves and set to work. Two hours and three large trash cans full of thorny rose canes later I was near done. The big roots remained, but I think I will let my husband Ron tackle those this weekend while I am at work. Removing this behemoth of a rose opened up a new planting area for me and I am delighted to have room to add more plants. One of the first plants I added was a Willow Leaf Sunflower given to me by my gardening friend Teresa. On a recent visit to her garden she had a Monkshood in full bloom. This is a shade perennial that blooms in early fall in a beautiful shade of blue. The plant is poisonous but then, many plants are as well, including Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Castor Oil Plant and even daffodils. I will write a future column on these common plants that many are unaware are poisonous. Toad lilies (Tricyrtis) are now in full bloom in my garden and others’ gardens along with the gorgeous Japanese Anemone – “Honorine Jobert.” I think these two are among the most beautiful of all perennials - in fall and other wise.
Last week I finally placed my large bulb order and am eagerly awaiting the plump bulbs to plant in my garden and also in my Bright Spot for all to enjoy. I will be sharing more bulb planting tips next week as the time to do this draws near. Planting can certainly start in the next couple of weeks and can continue until November as long as the ground is not frozen.
All the Bright Spots in town have certainly looked good this summer and I know how difficult it was to keep them watered during the dry summer we have had. Kudos to Denise Hall for organizing this wonderful program that helps keep our city more attractive.

Gold of a ripe oat straw, gold of a southwest moon,
Canada thistle blue and flimmering larkspur blue,
Tomatoes shining in the October sun with red hearts,
—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) "Cornhuskers," Falltime (1918)