Pansies...or Begonias??

I am having a gardening dilemma. Late every fall, I plant pansies in the front. Usually in back as well, but this year I am sticking with my perennials and leaving the beds in back as they are. But I will take advantage of the great east sun that hits the beds in front, and plant pansies for that beautiful color and wonderful scent that will last into early spring. So..pansies are planted on either side of the porch.. and in containers on the porch.. but my plan to plant them across the front is being disrupted this year..











..because..
the begonias are beautiful! We have just not had any really cold weather, so these pretties are looking healthy and happy! My plan for this day after Thanksgiving was to go buy the rest of the yellow flowers for the front-and finish out the bed.
But seriously-could you pull these up when they looked like this? Bet not-and neither can I! And, when you look at our house from the street, the red begonias look so great along with the yellow pansies. It's Spring.. in Texas..in November! So, what else could I do today. I could get out my Christmas decorations..but I just want to put out some bunnies! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Autumn Gold

At this time of year, when there is not much blooming , it is so nice to look out and enjoy lovely golden color in the garden. I have two plants that have nice foliage in summer, but fall is when they really put on a show. The first is this Mexican Mint Marigold, or as we call it here..Texas Tarragon. We can't grow French Tarragon here in Texas, but this herb gives us a great substitute (it is wonderful in chicken salad!) for cooking. However, the biggest wow factor to me is the reliable fall color. It starts blooming around the end of October and continues until frost. The other plant that I am completely in love with is Copper Canyon Daisy. Sometimes it blooms a little in spring, but fall is really showtime. This plant can get pretty big, but I keep it cut back some in summer just making sure I don't do any pruning after the middle of July. Brushing the feathery foliage releases a very spicy, citrus smell. I love it--but it does not appeal to everyone. The CC Daisy begins blooming around the first of November, and like Texas Tarragon, blooms until frost.
I have enjoyed the look of this plant all summer, but now that it almost in full bloom--I am in LOVE! Both plants work well cut and used as fillers in fall bouquets inside. (especially with asters and spires of Mexican Bush Sage.) Unfortunately however, both plants die back completely over winter, but as soon as it starts to warm up in spring you will see new growth begin. If you need a little autumn gold in your garden, you might consider these two. They never fail to brighten dull autumn days for me!

Beautiful reminders...

While enjoying the splendor and vivid colors of fall..I stumble across a beautiful reminder of a spring yet to come..
Abraham Darby--David Austin English Rose

"How I would love to be transported into a scented Elizabethan garden with herbs and honeysuckle, a knot garden..and roses..clambering over a simple arbor."
Rosemary Verey