PHILADELPHIA’S NATIVE FALL GARDEN BLOOMS

OThe garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just about six months ago!  It was the very end of summer and the beginning of fall when these shots were taken.  Usually at this time of the year, late summer and. Early fall is not given hardly a thought.  Spring is highly anticipated and winter is rationalized, having finally gotten used to it.  But, just to mix things up a bit, here is a snapshot of the very end of summer 2011.

The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, PennsylvanIa

Helianthus, in our back alley.  This is the native one and it grows really tall and produces a late summer show of bright yellow flowers. Really  fun to find them in the wild.

The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lobelia cardinalis.  This is our garden specimen that did nothing but bloom all summer, and throw seeds out.  Now, in mid February, there is a nice healthy Rosette of green leaves soaking up the winter sun, signalling that the plant is still alive and ready for the upcoming season.

The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The garden of the Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Goldenrod, a volunteer, graces our back alley on Morris Park Road. We get alot of native wildflowers in our yard just by weeding out the non native plants and letting things grow, and repeating  the process. Now our yard is more and more like what grew there many years in the past, sort of an heirloom wildflower yard.

Beech drops,  Morris Park, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Beech drops, Morris Park, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is a forest discovery, a parasitic native plant that grows off the roots of Beech trees.  Always fun to try to find them below Beech trees in the fall. They are a bit camouflaged.

New England Aster, The Garden of The Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New England Aster, The Garden of The Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Some more blooms to look forward to in six months. At this time of the year, it is hard to believe these flowers exist.  They are just living roots, waiting for a full growing season. The Swamp Mallow, a native flower that likes sun and moist soils, loves growing at the end of our drainpipe.  Available for sale at your local native plant nursery, eastern North America.

Hibiscus Moscheutos, The Garden of The Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hibiscus Moscheutos, The Garden of The Sanguine Root, Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3 Replies to “PHILADELPHIA’S NATIVE FALL GARDEN BLOOMS”

  1. I love the Helianthus! Your Hibiscus is lovely, too!

    Some of the blooms here are confused by the warm winter we have had. My friend’s Wisteria has a bud on it already! They don’t usually begin until late March here.

    1. Stella, you too in southern California are having an extra warm winter? We are having some things happen a bit earlier than expected as well. Daffodills are starting to come up, for example.
      The Helianthus and the Hibiscus bring so much color and joy to our back alley.

      1. Yes, we are having a very warm winter here. It’s been in the 70’s and even the 80’s most days. I’d say it’s been about 10% Winter and the rest is Spring. It has also been really dry which is extremely unfortunate. Do not be surprised to hear of many fires this summer and fall here in California.

        In the meantime, however, I’ve enjoyed blooming roses in my patio all winter!

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