six on Saturday, 28 November 2020

1. My six for today are taken from the final days of some things and the early days of a few others. The first is the mum in the featured image that has beaten all odds to become a lovely perennial in a pot. For at least three years this plant defied neglect and a shady spot to survive as a straggly, three-stemmed plant with tiny little flowers. This fall I moved it to a sunnier spot–still in the same pot–and gave it some attention. Now it doesn’t have many more stems, but it has beautiful full flowers. I guess a little tender care profits all living things. And the chrysanthemum has has returned the favor by being a host to a number of bees and even a devouring katydid in this late season.

2. Lil’ Bang Daybreak Coreopsis, a big box store Monrovia selection, has been a great performing deck plant all summer, but it is clearly at the end of its bloom season now. I’ll have to be certain to keep it safe over the winter. If I keep it from freezing, I trust that it will bloom again next year.

3. Pale or Stripped Gentian (Gentiana villosa) is a native wildflower of the Southeast US that is interesting because it never unfurls and remains looking like a bud that is just waiting to open. Truth in advertising is called for here. I’ve identified this as pale gentian, which is native to Alabama, but there are other gentians found in the State. However, it best fits the distribution, leaf, and color description for Gentiana villosa cited in Wildflowers of the United States. If any wildflower readers out there can give a firm identification, I’d appreciate a note in the comments. Regardless, while I have a few other wildflowers that are making a brave final show as we move toward winter, this is the blooming season for gentians.

4. Although neither a native nor a wildflower, this Japanese maple can’t be topped in the final show category. Two weeks ago, I posted a photo of this tree in the process of changing color, but here it is in full color next to a much smaller red variety Japanese maple.

5. Looking toward next year, Sedum Autumn Joy is already starting its next cycle even as it is letting go of the soft dying stems of this year’s growth. This is one of the most reliable perennial pot performers I know of. I think I appreciate it at this stage as much as I do in its full flowering.

6. Finally, below is a clear example of how everything, and everyone I suppose, blooms in its own time. The paperwhite bulbs (Narcissus papyraceus) in this pot were all planted at the same time. The only difference after planting is the amount of sun areas of the pot get from the deck doors. I’ll keep turning the pot to encourage a little catch up for those behind. And, of course, I’m looking for a nice show of lovely white flowers indoors in several weeks.

That closes me out for this week, and maybe for a few weeks to come. The garden tasks facing me are leaf shredding for mulch, pruning, and replanting crocus and Dutch iris bulbs the squirrels have graciously un-planted for me. But readers can always find interesting “Six on Saturday” posts by visiting The Propagator, reading his entries, finding guidelines for joining in, and following links for gardens around the globe. Visiting gardens virtually and gathering gardening tips is a great way to stay safe. Do stay safe, everyone.