I’m not much of a morning person, but when I looked out the kitchen window this morning, I had no choice but to get out there. We are surrounded by cedar trees that throw long shadows with the sun breaking through to spotlight the Poncirus trifoliata behind the bird bath and the tree peonie ‘Gold Sovereign’ off to the right.
Here’s a closer look at ‘Gold Sovereign’, still sparkling with morning dew.
And the ‘Flying Dragon’, having dropped just enough leaves to begin baring his claws.
Still trying to decide where to place ‘Fat Albert’, knowing he will grow to gigantic proportions eventually.
Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ goes from greenish to pure white before the many shades of dusky rose take over in the final act.
The play of light and shadow does wonders for Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’.
Rock, dark hemlock mulch and the wiry stems of Ceanothus ‘Blue Jeans’ provide lots of textural framework for another clump of Helen.
Please forgive the preoccupation with Helen, but this was as close as I could come to capturing the sparkle of the dew on her silvery foliage.
Where would we be without serendipity? The maple leaf blew in to turn this simple composition into something special. I hope I can find more of the caramel sedge in the foreground…lots more.
No morning stroll could be complete without a visit to the woodland out back, where everything is left to nature. Uhoh, this early morning stuff threatens to become habit forming. Thanks for coming along.
Lovely photos Ricki and lovely colours, but it is just so SAD that the season is retreating, and dark, drear winter is breathing down our necks !!
Jane~Nice of you to take a walk with me. And yes, it is a bittersweet season.
The color on that Peony is amazing…and I need to find a way to squeeze in some Stachys…love those fuzzy leaves! I would never say that I’m a morning person…but I’m, unfortunately, always up early…and it’s become my favorite time in the garden…especially on these crisp, foggy mornings 🙂
Scott~I have plenty of Stachys to share. Just say the word. I envy your fog. We never seem to get any when there is sunshine to go with it.
Talk about plant envy, if there is one plant I miss in my current climate it is hydrangea.
All of your fall morning colors are so beautiful
I envy your sunshine. Lately our days have been foggy from dawn to dusk. Not conducive to gardening. It’s cold and damp and not enjoyable. I really would like to get out there and pull some lamb’s ear out and toss it. That Peony sure is pretty.
There’s nothing like morning light to give the garden a special kind of glow!
What is that thing casting the light everywhere? We haven’t seen anything like that for a while. Hearing fog horns from the bay a lot lately here. Beautiful colors! Ms. Stachys’s jewels are copious but tasteful, perfect for a night at the opera.
I don’t see the morning light at this time of the year – I have to make use of dusk. Thank you for sharing yours – I love the atmosphere in your woodland shot.
Shirley~Only fair that you should find something in my garden to envy…but I know what you mean. I will try to appreciate the heck out of the Hydrangeas for you.
Alison~Are you suggesting that I may regret encouraging so many lambs’ ears? Hope your fog burns off soon.
Mark & Gaz~So I’ve been told, and now I’m beginning to believe it.
Peter~Only Scott seems to get the combination of sun AND fog that makes for atmospheric photos.
Angie~The woodland definitely beckons this time of year.
Morning light makes everything look great. I love Helen von Stein as well, in part because she rarely blooms. Love the foliage, hate the flower!
I would probably plop Fat Albert any where , Then have to move him several times !
I’ve not seen Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’ here, it looks a much better variety thn the species.
BTW how do I follow your blog, I can’t see anything on the page.
Sarah~I tolerate Helen’s flowers because the bees love them so.
Linda~I guess I mind digging things up more than you do.
Christina~The species looks terribly ratty by comparison. I use a reader (bloglovin) to follow blogs. It’s not perfect, but better than nothing. Before that, I would bookmark blogs, but then I would have to check them to see if there was anything new. Readers will send you an email with links to everything posted since the last time you visited.