My first year with one of Kevin's Minnesota "Mammoth Mums". I planted this in June and it was the size of my fist. It is now over 3 feet across and 2 feet tall. I have bound it up to keep it more upright.

I love "Chelone". My favorite is "Hot Lips" (which this isn't) but it does so well in shade.

Not really a Fall plant as such but I had to include it (Rozanne). This one has been in full bloom for two full months (for me from mid July to approaching mid September and it will continue into October). I took this picture today. There was a time a season or so ago when I was going to shovel prune itt...too 'sprawly'. But I am so glad I didn't as it is a full sun flower machine almost w/o equal.

My toad lily is gearing up to bloom in the weeks ahead--lots of buds forming. It's much fuller now that it's reached maturity.

I don't have SAC and gave up on asters years ago. The asters don't like my soil/growing conditions but since most everything else does, I don't count them much of a loss.

Be sure to post pictures 'gw'. (I have a couple of TL but one has to have a magnifying glass to see the blooms! I wonder if mine don't get enough sun).

green_go, I consider SAC to be quite hardy (they would do fine in your locale). I have two that I have had for several years. SAC is a Type 3 i.e. it should be pruned back to about a foot or so each spring. Having said that it isn't as large this season as in the past as it had a much slower start this spring...the harsh winter did seem to set it back.

green_go, how long have you been posting to GW? You clearly have a wonderful property with so many healthy vigorous plants and some wonderful beds. Thank you.

,

I just got back inside from cutting flowers and I could barely tear myself away from the garden. A snowstorm is on the way but as yet it is sunny and mild, really making me linger out there, knowing that it's so finite.

Stalwarts here are coneflowers, roses, and Russian sage. I love the September rose re-bloom. So do the deer, unfortunately, but I still have quite a few flowers to enjoy.

Here is Pearl cat soaking in the morning pleasures:

Linda

In bloom now.......sweet autumn clematis, Chelone, anemone robustissima, hibiscus, sedum, various caryopteris, heptacodium, roses, lespedeeza, hydrangea, mums, hostas hanging on, ironweed, gentian, and lots of annuals. Some other perennials with bits of bloom but nothing to write home about. By far the favorites for the bees are the clematis, anemone and heptacodium and caryopteris.

Ahhhhhhh.......September!

Karin......snow? I would say that stinks for you, but you've probably gotten the skis out already! LOL!

Yup, snow. This afternoon the sky got darker and darker, then the skies let loose with a wild but brief downpour. Moments later the clouds parted and viola a fresh coat of snow emerged in the mountains. Now we'll see how low the snow line gets over the next day or two. It will be 80 again by next week though!

(The skis are out but I'm taking them to the southern hemisphere in a couple weeks. So I'd prefer the garden to stay alive as long as possible.)

rozanne- a few yrs ago, GW focused on how Roz only lasted 1 or 2 yrs for alot of people. Then i had the same experience. How long have you had your blooming machine?

i think my chelone succumbed to dryness in the shade but i vow to get it again. i want to grow hot lips next to yellow foliage plants....
mindy

For sure try "Chelone" again...one of my Fall faves.

mindy, All of my G.rozannes lasted only a few years. I could never rid them of black spot.

A September bloomer that's going strong now in my garden is hardy ageratum. Every spring I pull out some plants that have seeded in odd locations, but enough remains for a great show in fall. It's pretty much the definition of a carefree perennial.

Karin, that is a great picture!

I have to tell you...you've inspired me to plant more phlox. Hoping mine will be at least half as beautiful as yours.....

As said, this has been a horrible year here for powdery mildew on the garden phlox.

Still I can't believe that a couple of the oldies (including 'Nora Leigh') still show little or no evidence of the mildew.

They are the few phlox still left standing in our garden.

Sprout, I particularly like the dark pink asters, that is a great color.

And Sunny, yeah! In your first photo, the big swaths of color are lovely. Everything looks so vibrant.

Nice job to both of you! Thanks for sharing.

And each year I sing the praises of Persicaria "Golden Arrow". I took this picture today and I bet it has been in bloom for now over 6 weeks. It is a wonderful part shade perennial. (Oh and I see there is the ubiquitous "September Charm" Anemone...too much pink)

Echinacea and garlic chives

Anemone 'Margarete', also blooming anemone robustissima

Clematis 'Polish Spirit'

Rudbeckia, silene regia, phlox 'David'

Agastache 'Firebird' blooms summer to frost

Any idea the specific variety of Astilbe you show above?

This is almost our only coreopsis. It has reliably returned for the past 3 seasons and is still blooming well as of today.

Today.

Phlox and hibiscus are almost finished with a blossom or two hanging on.
asters and mums are just starting.

Nice to see the beauty of others gardens. Always glad to see your photos Rouge and Sunny Borders.

It's obvious to all gardeners (in our growing conditions) that the photography has to be a bit more selective/ creative at this time of year. Can't fill in all the gaps with fall mums.

In fact, I do feel uncomfortable at times posting any pictures. It's like somebody comes to your garden but you only let them look where you want them to look; namely, where the gardening has been more successful.

Failures may be less inspiring than successes, but perhaps there's more to learn from them.