Thursday, October 4, 2018

Year of the Begonia and Coleus




The shorter days and cooler evenings are telling me it's October!  It's always been a favorite month for me.  It's our anniversary and birthday month as well.





The leaves are falling all over the lawn.  Not yet the colorful leaves, except the red, yellow, and orange black gum leaves. 





The summer wants to hang around a little longer, even into October, in Virginia.  Temperatures creeping up into the 80's and the humidity follows suit.  Our flowers are still blooming.  The potted plants need frequent watering when rain doesn't fall from the heavens. 




If you buy a chrysanthemum be sure to water it frequently if you potted yours.  We bought a couple yellow ones last week and potted them.  I like to get the tightly budded ones in hopes they will last throughout the Autumn season. 








If you are a gardener, I'm sure you have noticed each year brings surprises.  This year bought a surprise to the gardener and the plants.  I was having quite a bit of pain throughout the spring into summer and found I have spinal stenosis.  I'm much better now after this flareup with the help of physical therapy but my garden is not.  In spite of the health issues a garden does what it pleases.  Plants grow or not and weeds always thrive. 





I'm calling this year the year of the Begonia and Coleus!  I've had them popping up everywhere!  In the driveway, on the edges of the bricks along flower beds, even in the lawn!








I'm not complaining as it has been quite joyful to plant these little beauties all about the neglected garden.  I'm just letting a lot of them to just bloom where they are.  It's like a sign from above that everything is okay.  Seeds always amaze me.  I marvel at the seeds that have been in the ground for years will suddenly germinate and turn into a lovely flower!  Did you know that seeds from the ancient pyramids still germinate?  If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is! 





The seeds of this morning glory has still failed to blossom!  It's almost taken the arbor down with the weight of the foliage.  Grayden has fortified it several times and it still continues to grow and not bloom.  I guess all the energy is being used for its vines!





I've always had begonias in the urns on our front porch.  Red, white or pink have been planted over the years.  They drop their little seeds and under the right conditions (our rainy summer)  they germinate and flourish!  They are happy the gardener failed to refresh the mulch and frankly so am I!





The same with coleus.  My Nanny always had them and I usually have them as well.  This year I planted none, but they surely came up everywhere!  Several different varieties that I haven't seen for years.  A garden is full of surprises.  It's one of the reasons gardening fascinates me!



  

"There is a kind of immortality in every garden. " Gladys Taber  







50 comments:

  1. Well you really have had surprises. I love my coleus, but it was planted by me and I doubt it’ll make it through the winter to pop up again. My peony was a surprise...I didn’t plant it and one summer, there it was. It’s been my happiest surprise to date. So glad that you are getting relief with exercise. Back pain is a joy killer. Hope that you also get some relief from the summer days and humidity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vee, coleus and begonias die in our winter as well. That's so nice a peony decided to make its home in your garden! That would be a great surprise.
      Tomorrow our temperatures are supposed to be better. Maybe we can even turn off the air conditioning! ♥

      Delete
  2. Oh how I enjoyed this post.. you and I definitely have the love of plants and flowers in common. I'll be so sad when we have to bring in our begonias and geraniums. You'll have to try a Begonia oliviensis next year. These are the colors that I want to find - I have the "Bonfire" red/orange variety now.
    Glowing Embers - yellow orange
    Million Kisses Elegance
    Bossa Nova Pink Glow
    Bonaparte (white with red tops)
    Crackling Fire Pink
    Mistral (yellow)

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Teresa. I'll have to check out those varieties of begonias. I remember your bonfire one--it's lovely. We do both enjoy plants. The more the merrier! ♥

      Delete
  3. It's really been like Indian summer in NC! Warm and sunny. And it's always nice to see so many flowers still blooming. I have a wooden bowl kind of like that. Now I wonder if I can fix it up like yours! Love that turtle too! Happy Fall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane, we have really not had any Autumn to speak of. Summer seems to be staying around for a little longer. The dough bowl just has a few dried hydrangea blooms and a flame less candle in a small hurricane along with a few finds from the yard. Of course you can do that! Happy Fall to you as well. ♥

      Delete
  4. Beautiful garden.Love those pink begonias!Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What happy surprises in your gardens this year, Martha Ellen!! I am happy to hear that you have gotten some relief from your back pain with the physical therapy!

    Oooooo . . . I am looking forward to those lower temperatures and humidity readings too! Whew, it's been a l-o-n-g summer. I am hoping for a cooler October!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Cheryl, I agree this has been a long summer. Hopefully we will soon feel some relief!
      I am so thankful to be feeling better. Thank you! ♥

      Delete
  6. Your garden is so pretty and if it brings you half the joy it does to me, then that is a wonderful thing. I didn't know you had a tortoise!

    Here, although the weather is very typical of late Autumn days already, strange things are happening in our gardens as springtime flowers start to bloom out of season! My neighbours and I have found several Spring blooms just this week!

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deb. "Our" turtle comes out for a visit every now and then. I last saw him in the perennial bed in early spring. Grayden spotted him on this stepping stone on Monday and almost stepped on him!
      Springtime flowers blooming out of season is quite odd. I wonder what will happen when Spring comes again! A garden is full of surprises.
      Have a nice weekend, my friend! xoxo ♥

      Delete
  7. I love volunteer plants that show up. 3 years after I planted a foxglove one showed up this year and I was delighted! I did not know that about the seeds of ancient plants continue to grow at the pyramids. That truly is amazing and for me a renewal of faith. I grew morning glories every year and only got a minimal amount of flowers. I never could give it full sun which is why I think they bloomed poorly. It is one of the prettiest flower though. Our winters are too harsh so they don’t come back here. I hope you continue to feel better and that your weather will cool off soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, I remember your foxglove. What a happy surprise! I like what you said about a "seed being a renewal of faith." That surely is true!
      Our temperatures are a little cooler today and hopefully Autumn will be visiting us in earnest. Enjoy your weekend! ♥

      Delete
  8. So beautiful. You got surprise plants to make you feel better about your garden. I hope that your back is feeling better soon. Spine pain is not fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dee, thank you. The pain visits at its will, unfortunately. But with some ice and a few exercises I'm usually able to go about my day. Gardening has always bought enormous joy, whatever the season for it or me! Enjoy your weekend. ♥

      Delete
  9. A joy to join you on your little tour of your beautiful garden despite you saying you have neglected it. The little surprises are amazing, including the tortoise. Hoping you continue to improve and feel well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so fun to find our turtle out and about the garden, Lorraine. I always think about our children when they were young and we'd see one and they would be so excited. They even named him Tommy the Turtle. Not sure if this is Tommy, but we'll pretend it is. Have a nice weekend. ♥

      Delete
  10. You really must have perfect soil for so many little seedlings to show up here and there. My grandmother had lots of coleus plants, some in pots and some in beds beside her house. She took great pride in her beautiful collection. I have loved them ever since. Yours are lovely too. I have begun cleaning up my gardens and beds, but it is slow going because of the heat we are having. We are so ready for cooler weather. I Hope you continue to improve so you can enjoy some beautiful fall weather that we are bound to get sooner or later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our soil has been amended with our compost for years now. I have quite a fondness for compost! Your grandmother sounds like mine. I know some folks think coleus are too old fashioned, but for me that's the charm of them! Thank you for your kind comments. Wishing us all cooler temperatures so we can enjoy easier days in the garden. ♥

      Delete
  11. I have never had begonias and coleus pop up like you have. I am planting more coleus next year because the variety of color is just beautiful. Your morning glory is doing double time with the growth. A friend of mine had some kind of vine that didn't bloom on her arbor, stayed green like your morning glory. She placed artificial flowers in the vine and I did not know they weren't real until she told me.
    Sorry to hear of your pain from the spinal stenosis. Terrible to have pain like that. I hope you continue to feel better and enjoy the autumn evenings now as the days are more bearable without the beastly heat.
    betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Betsy. I've always had something pop up here and there without planting, but this year has been amazing! Coleus and begonias everywhere--maybe it's all the rain we've had! I'm glad to hear you like coleus as well. I think they are are so pretty.
      I have my good and bad days as they say, but mostly good, so I'm very thankful for that! Have a great evening. ♥

      Delete
  12. Your garden looks nice with all the different kinds of flowers, Martha Ellen. I love that pot of Mums. That's what we call them here. Is that turtle in your garden? Your table cloth with the Autumn colors and candle and flowers all look so cozy. I'm glad Autumn is starting to arrive there. It's such a glorious season, and Jess' birthday month is October as well. Both of you are caring thoughtful people. : )

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheri! We call them Mums also. I bought that tablecloth for $10 at Big Lots. I couldn't pass it up for that price. Yes the turtle lives in our garden and has for many years. I assume it's the same one our children loved to see when they were little! Tommy Turtle is his name. Happy Birthday month to Jess. You are so kind, my friend. You always say the sweetest things and I appreciate it! I hope you are enjoying the early days of Autumn. ♥

      Delete
  13. A pretty centerpiece in the first shot and the rest of the photos are lovely! It is nice to see around your garden Martha-Ellen. The turtle is a handsome little thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise, we see a turtle around our garden every now and then. Thank you for visiting today! ♥

      Delete
  14. Beautiful garden Martha Ellen! I hope you're enjoying these Fall days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pilar. We've been quite warm, but I'm still hoping for Fall weather to come soon. ♥

      Delete
  15. OH! Martha Ellen your garden is so lovely, I enjoy all the same varieties you have shared, I usually take cuttings from my coleus and root them in planters all through the winter, summer is still with us with extreme heat and humidity, so much so that my summer plants have decided to leave me, only my roses, and hydrangeas are blooming. How ever we did buy some pansies today and I am looking forward to planting them.
    Thank you for visiting me and for your sweet comments.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, that's a great idea to take cuttings of coleus. I must do that this year. I usually plant pansies around our mailbox when the zinnias are finished. They are still blooming though so I'll leave them there for a little longer. Pansies are my husband's favorite.
      I do hope you are doing well and have recovered from all the terrible weather. Have a lovely week. ♥

      Delete
  16. I love your volunteer plants. They're like a bonus!! Puzzled by that morning Glory refusing to bloom. Too much nitrogen? Not enough full sun? I've really no idea, but a little sad for they're such beauties. Thanks for the reminder about the mums. Our Farmers market was selling huge mums for $5 each, probably because they over purchased and because we're expecting 28° in Friday! Have a wonderful week Martha Ellen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy, I've grown morning glories on this arbor for a few years now and never had this amount of foliage and no blooms! Maybe too much nitrogen, but I've always used our compost on my planter and around all the flowers. Every year is a surprise in the garden. I'm surprised to hear you are going to have a freeze so soon. Our weather is supposed to cool off on Friday as we still have the ac on! Have a nice week as well. ♥

      Delete
  17. A garden is a wonderful place, and yours looks so colourful still.
    I enjoyed seeing your photographs, thank you.

    Sending my good wishes

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan. I think I love gardening more than any activity as it gives so many rewards. ♥

      Delete
  18. Everything is still looking so bright and colorful around your area. Mine...not so much. I have even cleaned on the flowerbeds and empty some pots and put somethings in the shed to prepare for winter. Hoping you are well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, it's later in the month now and I must do some cleaning up as well. With the temperatures dropping the flowers are waning. Thanks for stopping by. ♥

      Delete
    2. I understand that...I have cleaned up my beds, put things away and emptied pots already. I am in the process of adding horse poo to the beds. I carry buckets in the back of my car for collecting that....wow, the things I have carried in that little car! Just take it easy when you get out there to clean things up and don't stress your back.

      Delete
  19. Your gardens look so pretty. I used to have morning glories, they are lovely. Volunteer plants are a great surprise. I always have mums in the fall. Lately those little squirrels are eating lots of my flowers. Have a great weekend ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda. The morning glory arbor blew down with the wind! As I was cleaning that up I did notice a few buds, but with the arbor on the ground we put it all in the trash! Have a nice week. ♥

      Delete
  20. A great post. I love autumn. I love chrysanthemums. And that turtle! The colors!
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Martha Ellen,

    Lovely Photos.

    Hope you continue to feel better x

    Take Care xo💙

    ReplyDelete
  22. Martha Ellen, Yes, I'm enjoying being a grandma very much. We went to the pumpkin patch over the weekend, and to see her look all around and go on the train and carousel was a thrill for me. Thank you for visiting today. I always appreciate your special and sincere words.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Being a grandmother is just the best! I'm so happy for you! ♥

      Delete
  23. I'm sorry to hear about your spinal stenosis but happy that you are feeling better, Martha Ellen. I like coleus and grow some every year. This year I cut some stems and placed them in water before our first frost in the hopes they will grow roots so I can pot them inside. So far they are staying alive, but no roots as yet. My coleus never grow large enough to produce seeds--wish they did! Your begonias are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pat. My spinal stenosis is something I am trying to learn to live with. Most days are good, so I am thankful.
      Our flowers are now waning with the cooler weather. I need to try to root a few things before we have a frost. ♥

      Delete
  24. I think your garden looks lovely, and it is so nice to see all of your photographs. Coleus is such a colourful plant, and begonias usually provide some lovely garden colour too.

    I was sorry to read about your spinal stenosis, but am pleased to read that you have been feeling a little better.

    It's hard to believe that we say goodbye to October and hello to November.
    Happy November Wishes.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jan! It is hard to believe it's November! Sending you wishes for a lovely month. ♥

      Delete
  25. Hi Lady......just stopping in to thank you for commenting on the blog. Hoping all is well.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments will show after moderation. Thank you. ♥