Still warm and sunny this week (for the most part) – there is still at least one Cicada whining in the trees although its motor was clearly starting to run down.
Remarkable the number of plants still in flower on this late date.
- nasturtiums,
- pansies,
- echinacea,
- centuria,
- heliotrope,
- rudbeckia,
- campanula,
- feverfew,
- catnip
- and a few stray asters.
- Canna lilies also still have flowers where J has removed seed heads – although a few are left because they look so strange.
On the topic of warm autumns and climate change, there is an article that I have just seen in the Guardian newspaper saying that the first frosts of autumn/winter in North America are occurring a whole month later than they did a century ago.
The remains of a large – 100lb – pumpkin left over from the Garden at Fritz competition last week was put out and we have been entertained by the antics of squirrels climbing in and out of to get the seeds.
“Peak Leaf” colour this week too – the arboretum has been glorious. Trees in our garden still (still !!) have some green leaves while others are denuded. The birch trees are yellow and have started to lose leaves while only the top of the Katsura is yellow when this time last year it was well advanced into fall colouration.
Mid week a small flock of Robins came looking for any remaining Rowan berries and we also enjoyed the fast moving antics of a small group of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the birches one day. The elusive Carolina Wren came for a bathe … always nice to see him or her.
Leaves are just starting to accumulate on the lawn. A “weather bomb” is forecast for Monday with winds up to 90km/hour … that will strip the trees efficiently.
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