While winter is coming quickly upon us, my garden still has surprises and wonderful blooms. We've had below freezing several times, and a killing frost.Some of my late season blooms are to be expected, like these Eupatorum "Chocolate Soldier" (the white frothy blooms with the dark foliage) and the orange mums which grace the front of the north facing house.
Others are understood as the last roses of the year hang on. Here, the David Austin Rose "Belle Story" is in its quartered apricot/pink beauty...and it even smells great.What isn't to be expected, given the hard killing frosts and freezes we've had is this petunia, living proof to the wonders of a micro-climate. Inside my garden gate, on the west side of the house, the petunia grows nestled under a crepe myrtle bush, near the glassed in sun-porch and just about six feet from the goldfish pond. In addition, it cascades over a brick path. These elements, and the fact that about 10 feet away is a six foot tall privacy fence keeps it warm frost has not claimed these late hangers on.
Cold does interesting things to plants. In the case of this David Austin Rose, "Livin' Easy", the cold has intensified the color. Here you see an almost spent bloom. Next is one in bud. What is should look like, you can find here. These Austins are tough, have the wonderful characteristics of floribunda's and great scent. What a wonderful present to find while wandering in my zone 5b garden.
