Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, October 12, 2012

Happenings in our Yard --October 2012

Wednesday afternoon (10/10/12),   I decided that I had better make the 'rounds' in our yard --since we were predicted to have frost late last night.... I had fun taking pictures---and am NOW glad to report that we did NOT get any frost here last night or this morning.   YEAH!!!!

BUT--since I have all of these photos,  I decided to share them with you today.  (The trip pictures will just have to wait!!!!!!)  The photo above shows you our pretty little NEWLY PAINTED home and clean driveway --and a tiny bit of Fall colors around.  The pink dogwood (to the left) is a pretty deep red and there are a few trees showing some Fall color in the back.  But overall,  we don't have too much color here yet.    I did hear that the Smokies are supposed to be gorgeous this year ---so we'll be headed there one day!

Hope you enjoy the pictures showing what is blooming in our yard this week... Please click on the photos for enlargements.




Our Autumn Joy Sedum (in various places around the yard) is a beautiful shade of deep red (almost a rust color) now.  I love  these plants (guess that is why I have so many of them around) because they gradually change colors as we go deeper and deeper into Autumn.




I love our reblooming Irises... This yellow one has really showed its colors this Fall.  Its name is  Lemon Reflection.    Pretty for Fall,  don't you think?





George are I have been so disappointed that our big Clematis vine hasn't bloomed much at all the past 2-3 yrs.   SO---this Summer,  we did a "NO-NO"  and cut it all back (in the middle of summer)..... Guess what?????   The Clematis came back and is NOW blooming..... Can you believe it?   AND--it has 3 colors of blooms on it!!!!   (Guess it knew that we were about to replace it totally!!!!! ha)




I love this dark purple color...  Most of the time,  this Clematis produces light purple/lilac blooms.   Guess the dark one is the DADDY of the group!!! ha




I love this one... Don't know if this is the beginning or the end of this one's life---but nevertheless,  I love the colors... You?




As I've mentioned to several of you,  I am NOT ready for the first frost,  since our roses are still blooming.  BELOW are three blooms from yesterday.

VETERAN'S  HONOR ROSE

SOUTHERN BELLE ROSE

FREDERIC MISTRAL ROSE





Here is a close-up photo of the Autumn Joy Sedum.... Isn't it pretty?




Here's a crazy AZALEA bloom---in the FALL!!!!  What's up with that?  We have 6 Azalea bushes in our yard and this is the only bloom we have... Poor thing---must think it's SPRING... ha ha




Our beautiful JASMINE bush is finishing up its blooms of the season.... The gorgeous white blooms are now turning pinkish-brown... BUT--even this color is kinda pretty,  don't you think?

On another note,  after the big trip and the wedding,  George and I both need a BREAK.  SO--we're taking a week off from blogging in order to get other things done, and to enjoy Autumn.... I'll see you Monday,  October 22.    Have a good week!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

84 comments:

Ms. A said...

Golly, you still have lots of things blooming. I figured it was already getting pretty chilly up there, compared to here. The flowers don't seem to mind.

Enjoy your time off!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Your yard is just gorgeous, Betsy! Y'all have fun getting settled back into your routine!

pembrokeshire lass said...

Just love the flower pics particularly the roses. Isn't that yellow rose sooo pretty! Such a lovely pic. Have a great wedding and good break. Joan

mamahasspoken said...

Enjoy your time away from the internet. We'll all be here waiting to hear what you did while you were gone ;o)

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your house looks lovely in its setting and you have some really lovely blooms.

Enjoy your week off from blogging. Have fun puttering in your gardens enjoying your autumn weather.

FlowerLady

From the Kitchen said...

Love the different shades on the clematis!! I had no idea there was an iris that bloomed again in the fall. Your garden is putting on quite a show for you. Enjoy!

Best,
Bonnie

Mr. Bill said...

Beautiful gardens...and I LOVE the color of your house!

Small Kucing said...

that is a nice green paint.

I can see some lovely roses there.

I have heard before that we have to trim some plants to make it grow more flowers and also fruits

Big Dude said...

Still lots of color to enjoy - glad the frost spared it a while longer

Sharon said...

Oh Betsy, all the pictures are lovely, but I am mesmerized by how beautiful the house with its new clothes looks against the backdrop of the subtle autumn colors. I'd be tempted to frame and hang that one inside somewhere!! Be choosy about the day you come to the Smokies. I've been up there twice this week. The crowds and traffic are unbearable, not to mention the tour buses. Wednesday morning, I was waiting at Sugarlands to meet my hiking partners and in a 15-minute period, SIX buses pulled in and spit out what seemed like hundreds of people. THankfully, I'd already visited the restroom! LOL! FWIW, I'd chose one of the lesser known areas of the park to explore. All should be gorgeous during the upcoming week.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a beautiful paint job - it looks wonderful!

Donna said...

You're yard is beautiful, as always! Hope you have a good blogging break!

MadSnapper said...

very unusal for azaleas to be blooming now, must be something new this year, we have things blooming that should not. the clematis with the grand daddy in it would make a great holiday card.

Randy said...

Just beautiful Betsy! I don't know if it the lack of rain or what, but my garden seems to be further into fall than yours and you would think it would be the other way around. Hmmmm... It felt almost like spring looking at all your photos.

linda m said...

Your house looks so pretty with it's new coat of paint. The pictures of the flowers are gorgeous. Enjoy you break.

Shug said...

Great to see some gorgeous flowers still lingering around your place. Sure hard to believe it's frost time!
Hope you and George have a fun-filled weekend...
hugs,
shug

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous pictures, betsy! The pink rose is my favorite! Enjoy your break!

I Am Woody said...

Just beautiful as always! I love that yellow iris:) Hope you guys get plenty of work completed!!

TexWisGirl said...

i like the sedum and clematis. enjoy your break!

Susannah said...

Oh, Betsey , your flowers are beautiful. The clematis is amazing! Enjoy yourself and relax a little on your break. Everyone need a change once in a while. I love your blog!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

The picture of the Southern Belle rose is exquisite. Your (and George's) gardening skills are evident with so many things still blooming this late in the season. Have a great week.

MTWaggin said...

So nice to see so much color yet. Your yard is so wonderful and do your iris rebloom because of the type of iris or because of your climate?

Karin said...

I love the clematis story - "Wow, I think they mean business, cutting me back in the middle of summer like that - OK, OK I'll bloom!!" Interesting that it bloomed in 3 colors! Your house - what a lovely backdrop for all those gorgeous plants!

Sylvia K said...

Such a beautiful yard and gorgeous, colorful flowers, Betsy!! I love your photos for the day! Hope you and George have a great break!! Enjoy!!

Jeevan said...

The roses are gorgeous Betsy! Good to be back at your yards, but I feel something really missing at blossom in front of your house.

Have a leisure break and enjoy the fall... Take care :)

camp and cottage living said...

Betsy
Your yard is still beautiful.
I like your green house and the tiered landscaping you have for your flowers.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your yard sure is filled with beauty,even in fall.

happyone said...

Your yard is so pretty with all the different flowers scattered all around it.
What a wonderful place you and George have to enjoy.

Miss Debbie said...

What a blessing to have so many pretty plants in your yard! That pink rose is perfect!

imac said...

So, thats what I should do to the Clematis, then -- great photos Betsy and love your Roses.

Have a great blog Break, and tewnd to the garden, and come back with lots more pics.

GreatGranny said...

I'm glad your frost never came to attack your lovely flowers.
I love that green color on your house and it's surroundings.

Mary said...

Lots of beauty still in your garden! That clematis came back really pretty. What a nice surprise!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

I can imagine how you and George need a break after all the excitement of recent happenings!
The house and background look simply "picture perfect".
You're in Fall and expecting frosts and we are in mid spring and still getting frosts and experienced some unheard of snow flurries in the higher hills around here yesterday!
Pinch myself - am I in Australia!?

HolleyGarden said...

Oh, your home is just gorgeous surrounded by those trees that are starting to turn. I laughed at your story about the clematis. Sometimes I think plants really do know we're thinking of getting rid of them! It certainly is pretty. I hope it remembers the message next year, too! Your roses are so pretty. So glad you didn't get any frost. I hope you have a great blogging break, and get to enjoy your roses for a while longer.

Neal said...

You have such a beautiful yard. You must work really hard to keep it like that.

pam said...

We had frost warnings too, so I ran out and cut all my basil down. But no frost here either!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Your roses are beautiful. I have a couple yellow roses that just popped out a day ago. Too bad they will be frost bitten in a few days. Your Jasmine bush is still beautiful. Our Jasmine bush did not make it this year. I will have to plant another. They are my husbands favorite. I hope you enjoy the weekend.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

How beautiful. Your green house is perfect for such a lovely garden. You have a lot of nice blooms still.

Lynda said...

As much as you enjoy traveling - - - and you do enjoy it - - - you really love being at your home. I hear it in your words. You have surrounded yourself with the things you love in your yard.

Nellie said...

We have a "crazy azalea," too. It has a couple of blooms now!

Enjoy yourself!

xo Nellie

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Very pretty fall photos of your yard/home. Hope you both have a restful break.

Chatty Crone said...

I love the green house and how perfect it is with all your flowers. I love the flowers you have there - all of them. I don't think we are having that cold of weather yet for a frost. But you are further north. You have a lovely home.

Carletta said...

I just love that color of green you chose for your house Betsy. It is soothing to look at.
LOVE the clematis! The colors are delightful.
You and George have a wonderful break. This time of year is perfect for enjoying.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Your newly painted house looks wonderful! And I love the colors of the clematis! I, too, hate to see frost coming and the flowers will soon be no more. I know it's that time, but I still dread it. The Knockout roses are really blooming their little hearts out right now.

Enjoy your blog break!

joy said...

Your flowers are beautiful as always:) enjoy your break:)

A Colorful World said...

I love the green house! :-) Beautiful color! And the flowers are all so gorgeous! Loved seeing them!

diane b said...

Your freshly painted house looks smart and the autumn flowers are super too. Hope the frost stays away. Enjoy your blog break. I'm trying to keep up on our road trip as we are just rolling along taking our time. It's actually a relaxing trip for once.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, your yard is looking beautiful. I love all the flowers, the clematis is my favorite. Hope you have a great relaxing week off.

Phioxee said...

OMG! frost? i wish I can temporarily take care of your flowers while winter is there in your place.

at least here, we only hvave wet and dry season. right now, it's raining, but roses and flowers still blooms.

just me,
www.phioxee.com

Faye said...

Bestsy, I'll bet you and George were so happy to see your newly painted home and new additions when you got back from western travels? I love the bold color that you chose for the house. What do you two serious gardeners do to make it through the winter? I used to dream over seed and plant catalogs and grow a few mini roses under growlights. I'm sure your're already plotting winter projects.

Enjoy your fall break and we'll see you further on down the road.

Beth said...

Betsy, I LOVE the new color of your house! I think it will be a fine backdrop for all your blooming beauties in every season. I envy you having clematis blooming now---so pretty. I love the Autumn Joy Sedum---such a wonderful plant it is, and the bees love it, too.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm glad you did not get a frost so that you can enjoy your beautiful blooms a little longer, Betsy!

No buyers for our house as yet :(. please keep us in your prayers! Thanks!

Small City Scenes said...

It is fun to do a walk around and see all that we somehow take for granted. Lovely shots all. We have one Azalea that has one small branch blooming. It is strange. MB

Terry and Linda said...

I still have a few things blooming, but not much! Cold and wet, and chilly here!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Cheqna said...

Although I love flowers I don't know the names of many (almost all fall under "flowers" category ..hehe), so I love learning new names here.

Lovely flowers and lovely house..I could just laze around for days, but of course then it won't be in the same condition :-D

Have a good weekend to you both.

:-)

Catherine said...

Enjoy your blog break and that beautiful yard! :)
xo Catherine

BlueShell said...

Lovely. And so many flowers...
I love your garden.
Have a wonderful week. xo Bshell

Connie said...

Your fall blooms are very pretty, Betsy. I love the clematis! I hope you enjoy your blogging break.

Terry and Linda said...

By the way, your lovely green house will be an oasis come drab winter!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Connie Arnold said...

You must truly have a green thumb! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. I didn't know iris could bloom in the fall, and that little azalea bloom must have really been mixed up!

Starry Dawn said...

Hi Betsy,
Oh! You have a lovely green home, sweetheart.
I just love all your flowers, especially your gorgeous roses.
I hope you don't get frost too soon in your garden. I truly enjoy visiting your wonderful blog, Bestsy darling.
It is amazing the way you put all things together in such a beautiful way, honey.
One day, I shall visit TN.
I am looking forward to seeing your gorgeous photos from your last trip. One day, I'll also visit The Great Smokey Mountains with Paul, if that is God's will.
I am sending my new song to a musician tomorrow. So, I'll see what he can do with it. I would love to record my new songs in a recording studio one day. That is my dream, my goal from my heart.
Thank you, Betsy for sharing your beautiful world with us!
May the Lord sustain you in the palm of His hand!
God may bless you all!
All the Best for you & George,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Debbie Jones said...

You have a lovely house and a lovely yard! Hope you enjoy the coming week and get a lot done!

Hootin Anni said...

Our yard has suffered so during the extreme heat, I can sit here and marvel at your beauties!!! Our purple iris did that very same thing...it DID bloom in the Spring, and then again in the early summer. I love your yellow...perfect for Autumn indeed.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Those roses are always the star of your yard! Nice paint and lovely yard. You both should be proud. I am sure your neighbors love it too! Have an excellent day!

Janie said...

I love your aspen header. Your house is looking lovely. Amazing that you still have so many blooms.

Lady Di Tn said...

Thanks for sharing your yards beauty with us before you took off to relax. Peace

Sally Wessely said...

There is always such beauty in that wonderful yard of yours!

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous flowers! That mistral rose is enchanting.

Enjoy your week off.

Betty Manousos said...

i am pretty jealous! lol! your yard is just amazing, dear betsy!

enjoy your blog break and your wonderful yard!

plus: love, love love those flower shots!
it's really hard to pick a favourite.
really.

big hugs!

DeniseinVA said...

Oh Betsy, thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful blooms. And your newly painted home looks fabulous!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
You have a beautiful house and lovely place. You sure have a lot of beautiful flowers blooming. I'm so glad you photographed them before it frosts. It would be so sad for these pretty plants to get nipped. Thanks for sharing your fantastic flower garden with us.

Rohrerbot said...

Good for you Betsy!!! Take that break. I just did the same thing last week. It was needed and very wonderful. I still did all the fun things for the blog but needed a break as it can take so much time to do. Think of all the work that goes into it....writing, snapping shots, going on location, commenting, responding to commenting, editing the shots.....and then some posts require research:)

Love your Sedum. The weather looks great at your place. I think you should cozy up with George:) Relax and we'll see you back soon. Chris

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I can't believe you still have so much in bloom--and an azalea too! Well, my tulip tree did have one flower on it last week. Hope you have a productive non-blogging week!

Shug said...

I am in awe at the magnitude of beauty...
shug

Kat van Rooyen said...

hi Betsy! Your blog is so colorful and pretty, and the photos are stunning. I am amazed at how much you have that is still blooming. We had one frost so far, and have an advisory tonight. We have a clematis still blooming as of two days ago, as well as a trumpet vine, sedum (so red and pretty, our first time to grow it), lavender, geranium, and even some lingering crepe myrtle.

Hope you can visit me at my new blog (you have been to my old one) which is here on blogspot.

Kat (used to go by QuilterBear)

~mel said...

I love the green on the house! Have you ever heard of or planted the Purple Empress Sedum? It looks just like the Autumn Joy but it's a dark deep purple. My daughter gave me a snippet of it this last spring and it did quite well. I can't wait until it takes off.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Your yard is so pretty with all the things still in bloom. Your house looks great, too, with its fresh coat of paint. There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint!

Andrea said...

Recharge Betsy, and you will be fully glowing when you come back. That is a beautiful finish of the house and the garden is lovely as well. I most love that green clematis among them.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love your fall flowers! My sedum is a pale, watery pink. I don't know if it's the variety or if I need to give it some vitamins. It's been cool here, but I don't expect frost for a while.

I see I have a lot of catching up to do.

Rose said...

I sure enjoyed see all these....still love your fresh painted house.

Jeanne said...

I love the color you chose for your house paint!! And your flowers are beautiful too!
Enjoy your break,
Jeanne

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, I'm so glad I found your blog as I love perennials gardens and blooming shrubs. I used to have many gardens by my home in Stillwater, MN, where I lived for 32 years. But here in Missouri I haven't done any plantings yet. Your photographs were so lovely. I especially like the autumn joy sedum and the veteran's rose. Thank you for sharing. Peace.

PS: I found you blog through Sally in Colorado. I follow her blog and read her posting on getting to visit with you.

Beth said...

I always enjoy a yard tour. Quite lovely as always. I got a kick out of the climatis story and like the mix of blooms. Mine sometimes goes nuts with green foliage grwoing so fast and smothering the leaves beneath it that I have been tempted to cut it back mid-summer but have been aftaid to. Hmmmm.
I'm trying to catch up on your posts--am very behind in the blogging world and in school work.

Pamela said...

I hope your had a beautiful rest. I've so enjoyed seeing your beautiful flowers. About makes me want to move by you. Mums is all that's growing here.