“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 17:27
Hello dear friends. I can’t believe how swiftly my favorite month is passing. There isn’t much fall color around our Appalachian Foothills. The drought and heat that we experienced during August and September may impact the autumn foliage. We normally don’t experience our peak color until November so we are still hopeful!
It is almost time to put the garden to rest, but before we do let’s take one last look!
It was cloudy and cool this past Sunday afternoon, perfect for grabbing my camera to check out the fading garden. You may remember that my Renaissance Man planted a small area away from our main garden. The zinnias have thrived in this space and are still blooming, but their foliage is rather sad. I had a wonderful surprise as I was checking their blooms!
The orange butterflies of the summer have been mostly Gulf Fritillaries and an occasional Viceroy. We are always looking for the “elusive butterfly”, the Monarch, and finally…
… it appears Monarch migration is underway and a few passed by our garden for a visit. Some Monarchs travel as much as 3,000 miles on their journey.
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed but seem to love visiting the zinnias for nectar before continuing south!
I noticed that they seemed to favor the pink blooms over all the others.
It is amazing that predators know the Monarch has a bitter taste and is not palatable. I understand the bitterness which protects them comes from a chemical from the milkweed where the larvae “grow up”. God’s creation is beyond awesome!
“Gardening imparts an organic perspective on the passage of time.”
-William Cowper
Dahlias have been an experiment this year. I have always been smitten with their gorgeous blooms and variety of colors. Hopefully, there have been valuable lessons learned that will help make next year more productive.
“Bodacious Dahlia” lives up to its name. It has provided several stunning blooms that are so heavy… even staking them they still tend to fall over!
We have had the most success with “Lavender Perfection”…
…it keeps giving us these gorgeous blooms!
This is the third bloom from “Dahlia Tartan” and the rich color is stunning! We planted six different dahlias with four producing blooms. “Penhill Dark Monarch “ produced beautiful plants but no blooms. “Lilac Time” never came up.
This photo was in Simple Southern Sunday, but I wanted to share it again. Holding these blooms in my hand show how large they are. “Dahlia Avignon” (white one) has produced a few blooms, but it has struggled. Dahlias are supposed to bloom until the first frost, we shall see. I think our first season growing dahlias has been somewhat successful and certainly a learning experience. We will dig up the tubers and try again next year, hopefully expanding!
Limelight and vanilla strawberry hydrangeas have taken on their shades of brown. We will leave the blooms for a few more weeks to enhance the autumn garden!
Apricot drift roses are still blooming with their heavenly scent and varying shades of peach and apricot!
Sunshine ligustrums provide so much color in summer, but they are prettiest in autumn!
As the garden takes its winter nap, I will be planning for spring. I never dreamed I would enjoy gardening so much…still so much to learn! Thank you for your sweet visits and gracious comments. Wishing you a most beautiful day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Tell Ella Mae that I call butterflies “flutterbys”.
Cath
Hi Cath, miss seeing you. I will tell her…that will make her laugh! Take care~
Good morning Pam. Your garden is still so beautiful. Your dahlias have been amazing. Like you, I get so excited to see the monarch. I have used your quote quite often “if we don’t see the beauty all around us, we are just not paying attention.” So so true. Maddie and I got out yesterday afternoon collecting leaves for her leaf project. She ran around the yard with such joy. I treasure these moments but forgot how much there is to drying leaves. Very little color here but with cooler temperatures should be soon. Thank you for the joy your friendship brings.
Thank you Dianne. I know that Maddie and Davis have brought you so much joy! A leaf project is a lot of fun…treasure these moments for sure. Blessings sweet friend!
Beautiful garden, even in late fall! I remember reading a feature article on a woman who was a master of dahlias. Each and every stem of her plants (some taller than she was!) were staked. Maybe you’ll be able to find a good deal on some stakes. I had some I loved – they were 6′ tall squiggly metal that looked like art pieces themselves. I used them for my hibiscus. It adds yet another layer of work to gardening, but like most others, it was meditative to go out and do the staking.
Thank you Rita! Yes, I will be researching stakes during the winter months. As you know, gardening is tons of work, but rewarding. I know you are enjoying a new stage of life, good for you!
As I write, it is 37 degrees! Hard to believe it was 100 two weeks ago, with no color here in Upstate SC either. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to visit the spot where all the Monarchs migrate? So interesting about their bitter taste, Pam. I think my hummingbirds have all made their migration too. The feeders have been untouched now for a week. It always makes me a little sad when they leave. Perhaps, now that I am older, they mark the quick passage of time for me. Love what your friend Cath says about the flutterbys!
Roxanne, we awoke to 43 degrees and yes quite a difference from the 100 degrees not too long ago. It is a gorgeous day with bright sunshine and blue skies…love it! Being older, the quick passage of time is much more noticeable. Happy Thursday my friend!
Pam, I always love a visit to your gorgeous garden. I have so enjoyed seeing your zinnias this year. You have inspired me….I’m going to do some research and see if I can grow them in my area. The butterfly photographs are so pretty! You taught me something this morning. I knew they loved milkweed, but I didn’t know that is what protects them, too. That is pretty amazing! I hope you have a wonderful Thursday, sweet friend!!!
Thank you Shannon. I highly recommend zinnias, they are so easy to grow from seeds. Have a beautiful day sweet friend!
I think our monarchs have already left town so it’s extra lovely to see yours. Your beautiful garden has to be a wonderful stopping point for them on their journey!
Thank you Jeanie. It was so much fun chasing them for photos!
Your blooms are still pretty! Our fall has not started here in NC either.
Thanks so much Penny. Today is our coolest temps…47 this morning. What a wonderful relief from 100 not so long ago!
Your garden is beautiful in every season. Just love the dahlias and hope you have much success next year with them. Looking forward to all the beautiful pictures. Have a blessed day.
Thank you Bobbie! Blessings on your day~
What fabulous photos! And what a welcoming respite for the monarchs.
Thank you sweet Sharon! Have a beautiful day!
Pam, your garden is beyond gorgeous, even as it fades. We had many monarchs this year and they were always on the zinnias. They are a butterfly and bee magnet, I do believe.
When we lived in VA I had 2 long beds of dahlias. I gave up staking them and piled straw heavy around them – that seemed to work and prevented too much damage to their blooms. Often, I have seen gardeners who put them in a heavy tomato cage. Dahlias are fabulous, but do require extra tending.
Have a beautiful day and thank you, my friend, for another lovely post.❤
It was 43 here this morning, I think it is time to cut the zinnias down. The butterflies do love them. I have loved trying my luck with dahlias! I know yours were beautiful in VA. Have a lovely autumn day my friend!
Oh Pam… your captures are absolutely beautiful! Zinnias and Dahlias! How wonderful! And your Monarch… priceless!
We just had a monarch in our yard here in AZ! What a treat! They are migrating to Mexico.
Happy Thursday to you my friend… 😊
Thank you sweet friend. The monarchs travel so far! Happy Thursday!
Our butterflies are struggling here, since we have had five nights of frost. Your photos are superior, and we all need to encourage butterflies and bees in our gardens. I’m devoting a huge bed of dill just for all the caterpillars that love the juicy stocks. And, it makes great pickles.
Caterpillars love dill. Thanks so much for your visit. Have a wonderful weekend Sandi!
There is something in this post today that speaks volumes about how God speaks in all that is around us if we will but open our eyes. I am not young or hip or connected to this huge digital world however I found your blog a few years ago and am always inspired by your posts. Thank you for being a wee small light in this sometimes dark world full of shadows and fear. Thank you for focusing on all the beauty that surrounds and the amazing gifts and lessons nature has to teach us. To me the Monarch Butterfly is a powerful symbol of Spirit at work in our own inner spiritual garden.
We in Canada have had already had our Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. Your American Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend is fast approaching. May we all embrace all that we have to be thankful for each day and grateful acknowledge our friends and our neighbors across borders and fences for the gifts that they are in our life. Thank you Pam & Bruce
Mary Ann, what gracious comments that you left and thank you. We hope to be a a wee light in the darkness, that is why we started the blog. First that our faith would come into view through God’s beautiful world that He has created. Yes, may we all embrace a spirit of thankfulness for God’s undeserved blessings. Thank you so much for your encouraging sentiments!
Beautiful pictures of my favorite butterfly. I have wished for and worked hard to attract monarchs but to no avail. I would be so thrilled if they would visit. I know you were excited to see them in your garden and your pictures are beautiful! Your roses, dahlias and zinnia pictures are fabulous.
We have just returned from a two night visit to the beach and we got some rain before we left. The cooler temps are wonderful.
Have a blessed week.
Thank you Bonnie. The monarchs were in my garden yesterday which really surprised me. They are most attracted to the pink zinnias. It was 41 this morning…love it! Have a lovely weekend my friend!
It is all so beautiful Pam, and I know so little about Dahlias, they produce amazing blooms, and so many different varieties! I really enjoyed the details and facts about Monarch butterflies and you certainly have some incredible photo captures of them! As I tell you repeatedly, your garden is stunning in every season! We finally have some fall weather, yay!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna, you are so sweet with your comments. I am loving these cooler temps. Have a great weekend! RTR
Your garden is so lovely. I know it takes lots and lots of love, but gardening is so fulfilling and great for the soul!! I am having a hard time remembering the name of that white piece that you have in your garden and it driving me nuts!! I believe that it starts with a t Please let me know, so I can sleep tonight!! And again thanks for sharing!!
Hi Barbara, thanks so much. Gardening is lots of work, but rewarding for sure. The white piece (I have 2) is a tuteur. Mine are metal, and I would love for the hubby to make me two from wood. Now you can sleep 😌 Have a wonderful weekend!
Even in its supposed fading glory your garden is compelling. Oh that Monarch is gorgeous and
perfect of symmetry. Love your comment about natures provision for their protection. My apricot drifts are still blooming and I bless you for introducing me to them. I am going to replace one or two of the large oak leaf hydrangea with your sunshine ligistrums next year for a more delicate balance to that area. The Simple Sunday bouquet is just so beautiful and continues to bring joy. All in all, “God’s creation is beyond awesome” and yours and Butch’s contribution resounds with an Amen…. A blessed weekend to all, dear one.
Thank you dear Mary. I may plant some more drift roses next year and you will love the sunshine ligustrums. Their chartreuse color is so striking against the dark greens or Japanese maples. Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
I just thought about this. Your monarch is a female.
We thought so, but wasn’t sure
You got some beautiful shots! wow. And your Dahlias really are stunning. God must have had a lot of fun when it came to designing butterflies and flowers!
(Found you on Saturday Sparks Link Party) All the best!
Thank you Jo, so nice to meet you!
Wonderful pictures!Made me smile!Thanks for sharing,dear Pam!
Thanks my friend!
Your beautiful garden is still so lovely, even with the signs of autumn resting upon it. I LOVE the bouquet you were holding in your hand. SO, so pretty. I just read another blog by a blogger who had to put her garden to sleep early, due to an unexpected snow. It is sad to see the gardens go to sleep, but they must to make way for the fall season we all love so much. So wonderful to visit with you, sweet friend!