Fall's a comin'

Hello and Happy Fall!

Things are changing here rather quickly (perhaps too quickly) but no matter how it goes I enjoy the beautiful colors of fall. 

I went out and took a random bunch of shots of trees, shrubs and plants that are already changing. No sun today...possible rain coming- so it's not too cheerie!

Just last week- as you can see in my previous post- it looked a lot different! 

I'll begin with a back up view of my deck Fall display....

The raccoons have been visiting it each night and have stripped the corn off the stalks and also made several messes of my pumpkins and gourds!

 They've eaten them clean and some have ended up on the driveway or the yard....I hope they will tire of coming since they've eaten all the corn!

Each year I try a different display.  It's a bit of fun and sort of a last hurrah before the "white season" begins!

I couldn't resist this speckled swan gourd!  Is there a way to preserve these- dry them etc.?  I've seen gourds dried and they almost look like wood but I don't know if there are any particular steps to take.

They raccoons also broke up my mums in the pot by the lantern...ho hum...I guess that's part of the deal! 

Notice the arbor in the background...the Sweet Autumn Clematis really took over and has been blooming like crazy!  It glows in the evening especially if there is some moonlight!

I've let it go wild and not trimmed it...The birds like to jump in there with their seeds and eat. I guess we could call it the Arbor Hotel!!

 The ferns are done... ready to go to sleep...

 The grasses are turning color too...

The Hostas are starting to die back...

 In about a week we're going to be at peak color here.

Way out back in the field are some Sumac turning red... It's hilly around here...it drops down quite a bit and then right back up!

Back by the fountain area...

Speaking of the fountain...at this time of year it becomes almost impossible to keep the leaves from clogging things up...we'll have to put a screen over it or empty it and turn it off.

My favorite Limelight Hydrangeas are turning...

I turned around and realized our Ash tree is in full color.  We're hoping and praying we won't loose this big old tree to the Emerald Ash Borer.  We've been keeping a close eye on it and are having injections done to create an unpleasant taste to the inner bark of the tree.  It's supposed to turn away these borers.

It always puts on a beautiful display of color...but it's always the first to lose it's leaves!

So say a little prayer for my baby!

 The Queen Elizabeth Grandiflora Rose is still blooming! This is the most successful rose I've ever grown.  I gave up on the Hyrbrid tea roses, but that's what's nice about this, it's a cross between a Hybrid Tea Rose and a Floribunda Rose.  Very hearty and disease resistent!

The Sweet Potato Vines are done....I did slack off on watering which sped things up.  They aren't what you call draught tolerant! The spike and the Supertunias are hanging in there though!

Out by the driveway where the tulips were last spring I've planted some mums. I should probably add some more, don't you agree??

This is my first Limelight Hydrangea I planted several years ago.  It likes this spot and has been a joy to watch.  It's winding down now.  The flowers will turn a papery brown color and hang on for a good part of the winter...they make for an interesting accent when the snow flies! Those are spirea bushes at the base that give it that extra fullness.

Across the street some are maples full of color and more of the sumac.  The woods in the background are still very green so we will still have them to enjoy in the coming days.

 Up by the bedrooms is my Coral Bark Japanese Maple tree...it's in full color already.  Sorry about the blur...it seemed like most of my pictures had a soft blur to them today.  I'm sure it's not photographer!!

Up in my office looking out of my window...my view!

I hope fall is coming to your area too- especially those in the south who have been abused with extreme temperatures all summer!  My friend Tess that I blogged about earlier this summer says they won't have their fall colors until November.  It's still in the 80's there! 

I'm joining Rose Vignettes for
Fresh Cut Friday