We are still in the midst of a warm spell, warm for this time of year that is, we have also had a tiny bit of rain , but not very much this last week. The couple of nights frost last week have made such a difference to the leaves changing colour, no more frosts this week and non forecast for next week either. Leaves are now tumbling with every breath of wind so I will have to find the rake which hasn’t been used since last autumn!
My six for this week are…..
No 1 Iris foetidissima
When in flower, Iris foetidissima is a shy , unassuming plant, but what a difference when the seed pods form, they shout at you from wherever they are, you can’t miss them.
No 2 Maize
Last week the farmer harvested his crop of maize from the field at the side of me. Since then something has been bringing spilled cobs into my garden and eating them, I am finding them everywhere. On the lawn, in the borders, on the patio and in the woodland! I saw a squirrel trying to carry one the other day, but I think it found it a bit heavy and left it in the border, but it was gone the next day. I just hope that I don’t have maize growing everywhere next year!
No 3 Prunus Kojo no mai
This is a sucker of Prunus Kojo no mai which arrived after the main plant was cut down and dug out last year when it grew too tall. It has turned the same beautiful colour as its parent, but this one will be kept to 4 ft tall.
No 4 Chaenomeles
The first flower is open on my Chaenomeles or Quince by the back door. This will now continue to flower until next April or May. The shrub or hedge really, is now covered with buds so you will be seeing quite a lot of it in the future.
No 5 Viburnum plicatum Mariesii
Vibutnum plicatum Mariesii always has a surprise up its sleeve. When I think it is almost over, the leaves have changed to a beautiful burgundy and then all of a sudden, up pop lots of small flowers, much smaller than the ones in the spring. The white flowers and red leaves go so well together.
No 6 Acer palmatum Osakazuki
I’ve kept the best till last, my favourite has almost finished changing! It is such a gorgeous colour now and I think a couple more days will see her in her prime, worthy of a post all to herself as usual! I just hope the winds this weekend don’t put them all on the lawn!
Those are my 6 for this week. Thanks once more to Jon The Propagator for hosting, please pay him a visit to see plants and flowers from around the world.
I’m a big fan of Iris foetidissima, for exactly the reason pictured! I do wonder whether the name puts people off…
I very much like the Viburnum too – such a classy plant.
The Iris doesn’t smell very much does it Andrew, only if you crunch the leaves and who wants to do that!The Viburnum is a firm favourite, glad you like it too.
The chaenomeles is a real gem Pauline, those lovely waxy flowers for months on end. How lucky to have a ‘new’ Prunus Kojo no mai from the parent!
The Chaenomeles will keep me going all winter Denise. I must cut the fuchsia back that is growing with it so that I’ll be able to see all the quince flowers when they open. The roots of Kojo no mai must spread all through the rockery as the sucker is quite a way from where the original was, I hope it doesn’t carry on spreading underground!
Still such a lot of interest in the garden for November
Yes, there is Linda, all you need are the right plants to keep the interest going for as long as possible, November never needs to be dull !
What gorgeous photos. I particularly like the viburnum photo, the way the camera (or you) focussed on just one flower. The quince has got to be a winner if it flowers for such a long time to take you through the dark winter months.
Thank you Jane for your kind comment, it was me that focused on the one viburnum flower, so glad you liked it! The quince was already here when we arrived 30 yrs ago and I was amazed that it flowers for so long every winter, certainly worth its space!
Glorious colour Pauline – and lovely to see your chaenomeles again!
Thanks Cathy, what would I do in the winter without my Chaenomeles!
Your sucker of prunus Kojo no mai must have known what was about to befall the parent plant Pauline 😂 That acer is spectacular as always! We have have recently cleared a relatively big space in a bed and need to do some replanting. That acer is a possible candidate – probably some thirty years too late but still. Still waiting our first real frost here – just evidence of a slight air frost up to now. It can’t be far off now.
I just hope the sucker behaves itself Anna, otherwise it will be coming out too! I think my Acer has reached its peak now, fantastic colour, I can thoroughly recommend it for your new border as long as its sheltered and not too sunny.How strange that we have had a couple of frosts down here, but not you?
What wonderful images! How odd about the corn, I do hope it doesn’t start popping up everywhere.xxx
I’m still wondering about the maize but I think it must be foxes or squirrels, I can’t think of anything else that can be bringing them into the garden. Maybe I could go into business if it does appear everywhere!x
That must be the very best acer, such an amazing display. I love your header photo of cyclamen.
The Acer is even better now Chloris, such a vibrant red/pink, she will get a post of her own in the next few days. It is now taller than me, but I remember planting it about 25 yrs ago when it was very tiny, barely 2 ft tall.