Monday, October 12, 2009


We finally got a killing frost Saturday night. I spent Sunday bringing in the last of the tropicals and doing garden cleanup. As I cut back the garden I started to think about changes for next year. Certain areas have become too crowded and will need a total overhaul in the spring. My next big project is to plant the bulbs which arrived last week. Most of these are minor bulbs which will be scattered throughout the garden for early color. Many of the trees and shrubs that I have planted over the years give a great show in the fall. One that is particularly beautiful now is Disanthus cercidifolius which is a member of the witch hazel family. This hard to find plant from Japan seems to me to be one of the best for fall color with its red to purple leaves.