Y'all know I drag my heels—well, if flipflops had heels—I live like it's summer for as long as I can. But then I come across a neighborhood scene like this and I feel a little tug...
Go big or go home, right?
I spotted this one as we drove home one afternoon. It was a blue-sky day and I should have asked Andrew to turn around. Instead I thought I'd stop the next time I was out on my own.
Thing is blue-skies have been a little hard to come by lately. Still, fun!
There was a second dangling pumpkin, and no, that's not a bite out of it, just a yellow leaf. Bad camera angle.
Here's the scene at home. The tetrapanax leaf is the star, as it should be, right?
Once I put this seasonal assemblage together I realized something was missing. Then it hit me... the photos! A friend recently sent us a box of old photos (presumably family, but no one she could recognize), hoping we find something creative to do with them. I'm not sure a spooky scene is what she had in mind, but working off the black and white photos hanging above the mantel it just seemed like the perfect finishing touch. And old photos—so formal, so serious—of people you don't know can't help but be just a little, well, spooky...right?
Since the plants that had been vacationing outside were coming indoors I included the dark bromeliads.
A few small gourds help define the season.
Our black cat and skull came out of storage...
We really do need to give that guy a name. I meant the cat, but maybe the skull too.
These last few images have no pumpkins in them, but there is fall color. Here the color comes courtesy the Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' as seen thru a few Yucca filamentosa leaves.
And from the other direction, thru the branches of Arctostaphylos x 'Austin Griffiths'.
In thise photo it's the Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) adding color, along with Yucca desmetiana 'Blue Boy'.
Finally an Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' surrounded by leaves from the neighbor's dogwood and a neighborhood oak that I still haven't located. Hope you enjoy the last weekend of October!
All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for
danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Don’t think I have ever seen a Cotinus with such great color. And the leafy star indoors is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteThat plant (the cotinus) amazes me every autumn. I am so glad it responds well to pollarding so I can shoe-horn it into my garden.
DeleteThe first photos showing the plentiful supply of pumpkins seems to discount the news reports I've heard claiming a shortage of pumpkins this year - or maybe this homeowner single-handedly cornered the market on the supply? Your mantle, as usual, looks splendid. I'm hoping my own Cotinus 'Royal Purple' develops something like the color of yours but, with high temperatures still making their mark, accompanied by dry winds, I expect they may just go straight to brown.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I read on Nextdoor that house had a bunch of their pumpkins stolen. So sad!
DeleteIndeed. More cowardly than sad, though.
DeleteOn the photo with the second dangling pumpkin, the light green shrub in the front, is that a Grevillea miqueliana? The leave form and the icicle-like flower remnants kind of look like it. Just some Grevillea in a random front yard... you're neighborhood is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI just went back and looked at the couple of photos that I didn't use in the post and I honestly can't tell what it is, you have a great eye though!
DeleteWow, you really have the fall foliage color going on. Wish we had it here. I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a few days away and sadly a lot of that color is on the ground now...
DeleteLovely fall color and decor around your place, Loree. Your mantle is wonderful. Love that vintage black cat.
ReplyDeleteThe first year I had my Cotinus it had that same luscious fall color as yours, but the last couple, the purple deepens then frost drops the leaves. Any thoughts? I've wondered if it is the fertilizer the nursery used, or maybe pH? Strange.
The hanging pumpkins are interesting... I wonder if they are even aware of them? One day they are gonna drop and hopefully no one is underneath them!
I wish I knew the secret to cotinus color. I do pollard it every spring, maybe that helps? As for the pumpkins, they've made little pillows for the vine to rest on where it crosses over the edge of the deck, so I think they're on purpose.
DeleteI wish fall colors weren't so fleeting...
ReplyDeleteThe abundance of pumpkins at that stately home keeps it festive without being garish (though garish is good for Halloween). I took my time examining your lovely mantel display: I love your collection of ceramic containers, especially the berry-holding one on the left!
If Arctostaphylos x 'Austin Griffiths' was mine, I'd be hugging it every day!
I'm with you on dragging the heels! I finally started wearing socks (and extra layers) a couple of days ago. We were in the 80s at the beginning of October, then 70s the next week, then 60s and 50s. Next week, the highs will be in the 40s and I'm not ready. :( Your indoor and outdoor scenes are festive and pleasant! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteYour vintage Black Cat decoration reminds me of my Ramses...who's channeling Bela Lugosi this Halloween.
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