IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE I uploaded a photo gallery, and right now it’s definitely carpe diem…or carpe not at all, with the last bits fading fast. Here, then, are some of the final stars, the stalwarts of recent weeks, who despite harsh times gave (and give) mightily. Click each thumbnail for plant information, then click again on the jump photos to see them large enough to make a difference. Enjoy.
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- korean maple
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- aconitum
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- astilboides tabularis
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- view out back
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- deciduous azalea
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- fothergilla major
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- hakonechloa ‘all gold’
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- fading hosta
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- japanese maple
slideshow: bits of beauty before the fall burn 
slideshow: think fall (yes, fall), part 2 
blooming this week (2) 
I find it interesting that your post is dated November 4th, but when you click on a photo, the photo-post is dated November 3rd.
Do you happen to know a source for the Korean maple?
I have added to my plant list for next year, especially the Korean Maple and the azalea.
Margaret — Happy Election Day. The world is watching us on this momentous day. ♥Rosemary
I covet a vista such as yours. Last winter I cut a lot of brush to start clearing a small incline toward the back of my property. This Winter I plan to cut as many ‘weed’ trees as possible to create some sight lines and get more sun so I have a place for my little apple trees coming in the Spring. I think no matter how big or small a property, creating some clear sight lines from one end to another gives, I don’t know, breathing room. I feel like I am choked if my eye hits a wall of trees or brush no matter which direction I look which is the condition my place is in now.
@Kathy: Not sure the technical explanation, but I loaded the photos last night, then finished the work today. The endless mysteries of WP and technology in general. I have seen the maple in ForestFarm’s catalog, I believe, but more and more nurseries locally are carrying it now as well.
@BrianG: Like the idea of more mental breathing space…bring on the saws, say no to weed trees.
to brian g, i agree and know exactly how you feel. you will need some tools; i use a geared bypass lopper, a hand saw (chain saw too dangerous in thick brush), and a chipper/shredder
to appreciate a tree, you need to see it, preferably from top to bottom. brush sucks.
I am so with BrianG. and Chris. I have some acreage which has overgrown in spots and needs “breathing room”. Um, if one were to use a chain saw, any recommendations?
Beautiful photos Margaret. Thanks.
tammy, i use a brushcutter with a saw blade; the blade is whirling way out in front of me, and i feel i can control it safely; a chainsaw just feels too close to me in the close quarters of brush, i feel too unsafe. i usually use a lopper for most cutting when it is too thick for my brushcutter; slow and steady wins the race.
Thanks, Chris (do you want a job answering questions here?…I am exhausted and could use a long nap like a bear). Totally agree it’s safety first, and whatever tool you feel comfortable with, nothing more. An old friend and woodsman with many decades of safety to his credit wouldn’t teach me to use a chainsaw because I am just don’t weigh enough (he felt) to deal w/kickback if the blade gets stuck. I used to use the saw blade brush cutter; I don’t even do that any more (and when I did, I’d never raise it up, just use it near ground level). Thanks, Chris.
How great is that look of your back yard. I like the hues of fall colors against green grass.
Thank you, Curtis. Soon the leaves will drop along the edge of the state park boundary, to the left in that photo, and a whole old stand of birches will be revealed…especially nice when the (now grass-green) hillside is white with snow. I will take a photo and we can compare…
Beautiful photos! I need to try aconitum as I am sure deer won’t bother that one! I keep adding plants to my “wish list” but am running out of space in the garden. My husband doesn’t want to hear that I need to EXPAND the edges of the garden in to the meadow!
Hmmm…can we put elastic edges on our gardens…like elastic waist pants for expanding waistlines? :-)
Cameron
@Tammy, and @Cameron: Thanks for photo compliments. I am trying…but am an impatient, frenetic type so have trouble standing still long enough to make pictures.
@Cameron: I like the idea of SUNKEN edging–the kind you hammer in to just above surface level, really almost invisible, and especially if made of metal. But I have all these curvy beds, so the metal would be hell to install. If you find a good product, alert us!
I have used Ever Edge http://www.everedge.com/ and recommend it. It is not cheap but it curves beautifully and lasts forever. I first used it to keep a bed of vinca from crawling across the yard. For three years it has been invisibly doing the job of holding back the ground cover in a wonderful sweep of a curve. I find it easy to install.
margaret, du rien, and now that it gets dark at 5pm, a hibernation doesn’t sound too bad…
Margaret and Chris,
Thank you for the advice. I like the idea of the brushcutter with the saw blade. The idea of a chainsaw kinda scares me.
Donna,
Any US distributers for the everedge? It looks like a great product…
don’t discount the chainsaw! I have a stihl with a 14″ blade that I love! One does have to be very careful, but it is invaluable in clearing paths and cleaning up the woods. I consider it a most valuable garden tool, and I can garden throughout the winter with it!