Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Inside, Outside!

Every year at this time I try to make the inside of my home resemble what I want to remain outside.  I am looking for the rich colors of fall and the spirit of the holidays that are forthcoming.

The spiders have moved indoors quite at home on an orb web tablecloth.

My favorite rose Rainbow Knockout suffered through much of the summer, Japanese Beetles, Rose Midge and mildew.  It is putting forth a great effort to add some color until November but nothing like its previous fall shows.

Jerusalem Cherry is a great fall plant to give a little zing to your indoor decor.  It is toxic so keep it away from pets and children.  The fruits are not edible but the color is wonderful and will last through November, can be kept as a houseplant.

Ninebark Summer Wine is showing its many fall colors with reds popping up in the middle of the shrub.

Azalea Karen is at its height of color, something I would love to bring inside!

Bring that color inside, some faux some real and dried. 
 
 My favorite local nursery person suggested making a small bow for my corn.  She was right, it really makes it special.
 
Henry's Garnet Itea
 
Plumbago is a late blooming groundcover with bright blue flowers, but it has an added attribute in that its leaves turn red in the fall.
 
Faux but lovely on the dining room buffet, never complete without some birds.
 
Tor Spirea
I said I would never buy another spirea until I saw this one, low maintenance, white flowers in the summer and fall color (purple, red, coral).  It grows about two to three feet tall and wide with a mounding habit.
 
They are not on a tree but hang from my mantle, fall ornaments add a special feeling in the fall.
 
 
 
I love doing real with faux intermingling real pumpkins with faux fall decor.
 
 
Clematis Bourbon (Type II)
 
Anemone Andrea Atkinson is a new one that I planted on the north side of my home where I used to have the Carex grass, so much more interesting.  The buds are as interesting as the flower.
 
Jacobs Ladder (Brise D'Anjou)
This one was a total surprise, not necessarily for the blooms but for the ability to withstand the heat and look great all summer and fall.
 
Variegated Solomon's Seal
This is a plant that is stunning in its decline!
 
Endless Summer Hydrangea is not a star in my garden only one bloom cycle in my garden.  It was full but smaller blooms this year and then nothing.  At least the fall color is interesting.
 
Unique Hydrangea Paniculata
This is a beautiful hydrangea but does not hold up during the winter, needs to be cut early for drying.
 
Snapdragon La Bella
I first saw this one at the Chicago Flower Show, grew it from seed and it came back last spring.  I will leave it in the ground and see what happens this year.
 
Phlomis Russelina on the south side, did not bloom this year.  It is a wonderful blue green fuzzy leaved plant that is interesting even without blooms.  I think it was overshadowed by the Lythrum and Helianthus.  I will try to give it more room next year.
 
Faux in the Fireplace
This could be a title of the above vignette, safe and forever.
 
Heuchera Pinot Gris
 
Eupatorium Chocolate
I always appreciate this plant in the fall!
 
Eryngium Big Blue
I planted this in the raised bed on the south side, revamp this summer and it is so trying to bloom, but I don't think it is going to make it.
 
Green Velvet Boxwood
The is not the time of year when you would trim boxwood in zone 5 and colder.
 
 
 Ramona (Type II)
Trim in the spring but do not cut down.



Allysum
Lasts through all but a killing frost.  If you leave in place it will reward you in the spring, pull up and sprinkle wherever you want allysum and it will reseed for you.

This is a Maidenhair  fern that just fried during the summer but it has come back strong.
 
This is truly the last great rose of summer, Pink Promise, a winner some years back.