Cool chills does not a happy gardener make

November 15, 2010 | easygardener

I woke up this morning to what I think of as a typical November day -  damp and cold with just a hint of frost. The sky was grey and the sun invisible.

Traces of frost were still on the velvety leaves of the self seeded Foxgloves.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

And on this extremely neat and tidy variety of Ophiopogon. These leaves are green not black like those of its larger cousin.

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Compactus'

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Compactus'

Greenforks is slowly closing down and has that end of season feeling (as do I). However,  one of my plants has not taken the hint. This tender Abutilon is too large to move indoors so it will have to take a chance on the winter weather when it finally arrives. I will be sad to see those red flowers turn brown.

Abutilon pictum next to the yellow Bamboo

Abutilon pictum next to the yellow Bamboo

Thank heavens for the Autumn leaf displays – at least they provide some cheerful background colour. I need some cheer because this gardener is so not a winter person!

8 comments

Gravatar 1 Madame C { 11.15.10 at 8:38 pm }

Me neither! I am NOT a winter person. And beleive it or not, I chose to live in Sweden! How stupid is that, when you think about it;)
Take care,
Charlotta

Gravatar 2 Lona { 11.15.10 at 9:42 pm }

I for one am ready to start over with Spring again. I am not a winter person at all. After the Fall foliage is gone it is all downhill from then on. LOL! Isn’t that terrible of me? It has been a beautiful Fall here so far so I should not complain but I do miss my flowers already. The frost on your Foxglove leaves make them look like Lamb’s ears. Your fern leaves do look beautiful dressed for Fall.

Gravatar 3 Juliet { 11.16.10 at 12:03 am }

I like winter so much better than summer, sorry!

But I read your post and thought I would put something cheerful on my blog, for you and anyone else who is feeling November-ish today :-*

Gravatar 4 Curbstone Valley Farm { 11.16.10 at 2:54 am }

Awww…I’m sorry you’re not a Winter person. I admit, Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons, but even in the starkness of Winter, when the trees are denuded of their leaves and their structural form becomes more apparent, there is still beauty. Stay warm, and I hope your Abutilon can eek out a few more blooms before season’s end.

Gravatar 5 Ingrid - London { 11.16.10 at 2:56 pm }

Hi,
It might be time to stay warm indoors and read gardening books and seed catalogues. To dream of warmer times and look forward to spring and summer.
Best wishes,
Ingrid

Gravatar 6 Racquel { 11.16.10 at 4:03 pm }

I know how hard it is to say goodbye to the garden for the winter, but cheer up and think of the possibilities of another spring. :)

Gravatar 7 Esther Montgomery { 11.17.10 at 10:12 am }

Winter is my second favourite time of year. Autumn is my first – and it’s often hard to tell which is which. If your garden is like mine – it is being belted by wind and rain today.

I’m unfamiliar with the Ophiopogon. I like the look of this one and I like its name. Isn’t it a lovely word? Ophiopogon. This plant would be worth having for that alone!

Esther

Gravatar 8 Anna { 11.22.10 at 10:46 pm }

Have not come across that particular ophiopogon before – reminds me of a hedgehog. So different from the black one. Will be looking out for it.

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