The crickets still sing in October. And lilly, she’s trying to bloom. Tho she’s resting her head on the shoulder of death, she still shines by the light of the moon. ~Kevin Dalton
Overhead, the oak leaves signal that October has truly arrived. Last night’s full moon and crisp temperatures ushered in the feel of autumn and it won’t be long before the first hard frost arrives. In the garden, the flowers are ignoring nature’s signals and continue blooming as if it were June. A sharp contrast to the gold and bronze leaves drifting into their midst, the garden beds are woven with threads of pink, rose, and magenta and are full of fragrance and life. Pollinators collect food in a last minute grab for stocking the winter larder and the cicadas and crickets sing in the woods. Enjoy a few images of what is surely this year’s last flush of bloom; click on any photo below to start the slide show. (All photos ©2013 Lynn Emberg Purse, All RIghts Reserved.)
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it? ~ L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
composerinthegarden 
lovely photos, it is wonderful to be a gardener, bringing nature and beauty within a step of our homes
Thank you, Shelley. I do love to be in the garden; even in the winter, its beauty is a treat.
One of the wonderful things about being so far behind is that I could come here on this gray and dreary day and spend time with your beautiful, colorful flowers. Thank you. 🙂
There is always that advantage, Robin! I’m very far behind in many blogs, so that fact that you even made it here is great! I’ve got some catching up to do 🙂
She’s pretty in pink, your garden! It’s cool that you saw the Persicaria out here and then got one, and Glasshouse Works is a catalog I remember really enjoying back when I had a garden. As I’ve said before, thank you for allowing me the pleasure of a close look at your garden, especially since I am in heavy shade on the 3rd floor with a tiny deck these days! We do get birds though…
You are always more than welcome, Lynn!
Still plenty of colour!
I’m treasuring every day now!
Who knew so much blooming in October! What I want to know is do you pick plants by their poetic names? Religious Radish and Lucky Peach are neither peaches or radishes, charming! Oh and Beautiful.
They are wild names, aren’t they? Actually, I pick plants for their specific color and the names are a bonus. I’ve been planning a post on plant names though, sometime soon.
The Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ Is simply stunning! I’ll be adding that to my must have list
It’s a gorgeous grass, Claire; very tender here but it might be hardy for you. The leaves are burgundy with those soft rose blooms – yum!
A good remainder that lots of plants are still flowering! I appreciate all of them flowering late into the fall, some even going on after a light frost.
Even with our recent cold temps, flowers are still blooming here, much to my delight!
Pink is one of the unknown colors of the season, so you delivered a good reminder! I adore Coleus and ornamental grasses, so they made me smile the most.
Frank, nice to meet another Coleus fan! I love them, brilliant color all season and easy to tuck among the flower beds and show off on pots on the deck.
… and I’m showing some colors on my next post (9:30 pm tonight)
I look forward to it!
Hi Lynn, what lovely pictures to record the last days of Autumn. That Coleus is a real picture but what a strange name Religious Radish, doesn’t look much like a radish.
Thanks, Chris! Glasshouse Works is a US breeder and developer of tropical plants, especially Coleus, who uses wacky names for their introductions. ‘Perilla Warfare’ and ‘Pineapple Prince’ are some of their other cultivar names – good marketing, since they are memorable. You can see more of their selections here.
Great quote – gorgeous pictures. Perfect pause before winter
Welcome, philosopher! Glad you enjoyed the post, many thanks!
Love this one…especially the quote about the crickets still sing in October!
Thank you, Mary – they are still singing here, for another day or two until the frost and snow arrives later in the week.
What a lovely October you are enjoying. It seems we thrill at the colours, even more, knowing winter approaches.
Joss, thank you for stopping by! And you are right, the color seems all the more dear as we see the end in sight.
Beautiful, as always, Lynn. Frost has visited us, and the gardens are–mostly–already put to bed, but one rose has a few lasting, valiant blooms. Thank you for this lovely farewell to another year of glorious gardening. A cozy late October to you: cider and cocoa a plenty!
Thank you, Kitty. We may get frost in the next few days, the temps are much lower than just a few days ago. Enjoy your rest from the garden and a cozy October to you too!
Periscaria ‘Firetail’ is one of my favourites.
‘Religious Radish’ is a wonderful name for a coleus!!
Thanks for visiting, Tanglycottage! I first saw this Persicaria on a visit to Seattle and Bainbridge Island gardens – I had to have it! It is constantly covered by a variety of bees; pollinators seem to love it and it has been blooming here since June with no sign of stopping. Probably the “most asked about” plant in my garden when other gardeners visit.
I have one that has gold leaves and the same pinky red dark flowers. Cannot remember the name but it is quite wow!
Ooh, I love that color combination! I have several plants with gold foliage and pink/red flowers and love them.
It doesn’t seem as though we’re entering the last stages of October when I view your slideshow, Lynn. Very nicely presented.
Thanks, Kerry. Outside of my garden, all is fiery fall colors; nice to have an alternative color palette 🙂
Your blog title is arresting and unexpected for northern autumn. 😀 May fall loveliness linger as long as possible in your area!
Thanks, Jean! We’re starting to get colder so it may be only a matter of a few days before the colors are only gold and red! I appreciate every “pink” day in the garden 🙂
While I love the burnished tones of chrysanthemums and autumn leaves, I love the pinks of autumn!
Me too, Bernadette! Isn’t it lovely how they appear together, connecting the seasons?