Fall '16 Garden Highlights

Fall is a weird time in the garden. A bunch of stuff turns gross and yellow (I'm looking at you hostas!) and other stuff actually looks better than before - or at least stands out more than it did before. Take this inconspicuous scotch moss for example. It was minding its own business under the hydrangea and now BAM it's stealing the show!

Scotch moss in fall

Next, take this Little Henry sweetspire - known for it's fall color - I can see why! Also, my Japanese Andromeda is doing something. Are those red buds, or is it trying to flower? These things are supposed to be evergreen, but we'll see if it makes it through the winter. I don't think it likes my clay soil one bit.

Next up, a combination of blue tones with this dianthus next to my dwarf lavender. The lavender was a hit last winter and kept an interesting ghost blue color all year. I'm wondering if dianthus will do the same or if it will die back.

Dianthus Lavender Lace next to dwarf lavender (appropriate)

Noblesville Fall 2016 First Frost and First Snow

For posterity, here is my documentation of the first hard frost of the year (November 5, 2016) and the first 'snow' of the year (November 19, 2016).

First frost Fall 2016 was November 5 in Noblesville, Indiana

We had some crazy fall weather (I feel like I say that every year), with temperatures jumping up into the mid 70's and then back down to freezing. In fact, just yesterday I was mowing the lawn shirtless in 74º weather and not 12 hours later we had our first dusting of snow.

It's a tradition to mow the lawn the same day you put up Christmas lights - gotta love the 74° weather too! #suburbs #suburbslife

A video posted by Eric Teske (@ericteske) on Nov 18, 2016 at 12:56pm PST

It will be an interesting winter to see if we have temps in the 50's all December and freaky January heat as well. Last year the crocus came up early (not that I'm complaining).

Crazy temperature swings in a 12 hour period!

Dusting of snow, first snow of the year Fall 2016

Relaxing Footage of Hardy Pampas Grass Gently Swaying in the Breeze

This specimen grass is extraordinary, and when the feathery tops are in full bloom and backlit by the sun, it's a special moment. I tried my best to capture it using my 'real' camera and not just an iPhone. I turned the footage into a short but hopefully intensely relaxing video. Now you can experience the relief of watching this massive 15 foot tall grass dropping seeds as it sways in the breeze.



I hope you liked it! Also check out my other photos of this impressive hardy pampas grass. PS what what what? Blogger lets you add emojis in the desktop editor? How cool! 🌾