Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - October 2008

This October's GBBD blooms are not the same as last years. Why did I even mention last years GBBD? Well, it is because it was the very first post I made for Greenbow Gardens. This years GBBD post is my first anniversary as a blogger.

I can remember wondering why I started blogging at this time of year. After all there wasn't much blooming in the garden at this time and it wasn't going to get much better as time went on. However I found that winter is a good time to contemplate the garden. Plus there are so many wonderful gardeners and bloggers out there sharing their knowlege and garden thoughts all through the year. You all have kept me going through out the year with garden and blogging inspiration. Thank you all very much for your works and I want to thank all of the commenters whether you blog or not. It is such fun to interact with you all.

As Carol at May Dreams Garden has mentioned several times about how posting your blooms on the 15th of each month gives you a record of what is going on in your garden each year. This is why she has encouraged everyone to share their blooms on the same day each month. I hope that if you haven't done this you might try it. You will be so pleased that you do. Be sure to leave a comment on her GBBD post so others can visit to see what you have blooming.

I specially want to thank you Carol for encouraging me to join the blogging community. I was lurking for several months, leaving comments, soaking up all the wonderful information and comradery on her blog and several others. However she is the one that encouraged me to jump into the Garden Bloggers fray. It has been such fun.

I am so happy to finally be able to look back a year to see what my garden was doing. It certainly is different this year. We are having such a drought this fall. Actually this entire summer has been dry which was such a contrast from the spring.

This lone daylily, 'Song Sparrow' is the only daylily blooming at this time.

My most prolific bloomers at this time are the annuals around the garden. This Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' has been one of the most dramatic of the annuals I planted this year. I planted it in semi-shade part of the garden and it took off. I have had to cut it back to keep it off of surrounding baby bushes as it has become a bush itself. I have had it in pots before with great luck but it has never grown to this size. Obviously I will plant some more of this next year. I have a 'Black and Blue' Salvia that does very well in this area too. I must have more of this next year too.

I know you have seen this guy before. I really need more of this Crossandra next year as it is in a place that t gets little to no supplemental water and it has done well. I just love this color in the garden because it is so bright and not many oranges are seen in the garden.
This succulent is blooming for the second time this summer. It surely is confused.
These white Japanese Anomeones 'Honorine Jobert' are a new addition to my garden this year. They have been blooming since last GBBD. I would certainly recommend them for the garden. Soon I hope to find a pink one that performs as well.

The mums are still blooming. The yellow mums are beginning to get that brown look though.

The tall garden phlox has a few blooms, the hydrangeas by the Casa de Pantella has a few blooms and the wild asters are still giving some blooms. Other than that all is turning brown and crinkly. The Toad Lilies are blooming up a storm despite it being so dry. So I guess I can be satisfied with what is blooming. Did I just say satisfied?? Naw I don't think so. Come on fall rains...please.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to show you my only grass. It is a beauty for sure. It was a pass along plant so I can't tell you what it is but it sure looks good during fall.

I hope you all enjoy GBBD. I must go now so I can get around to seeing all who post on Carol's blog. See you soon.