Just when it seemed that the summer show was over with all the annuals going to seed and the dahlias looking the worst for wear after a few light frosts, November has proved that it does have some riches to share. In my greenhouse the indoor chrysanthemums have started to bloom and out in the cutting beds I have both foxgloves and Sweet Williams in flower!
November is the month that I generally regard as my least favourite month of the year. Dark and gloomy and without the twinkling lights that brighten December, November can be a very long month. That was until I discovered indoor chrysanthemums however. In my book chrysanthemums are to November what peonies are to June and I now look forward to enjoying these stunning flowers almost as much as I look forward to my beloved peonies. Chrysanthemums also have the advantage that they flower for much longer and last very well in a vase.
As the dahlia season comes to a close at the end of October these beautiful architectural blooms fill my greenhouse autumnal delight. At first I concentrated on growing the rich autumnal oranges and dark reds and last year I grew an almost entirely white collection. This year my colour palette has mimicked my favourite dahlia shades with soft apricots, champagne nudes and various shades of pink filling my greenhouse bed.
I have padded the vase out with a few last scruffy dahlias and some scabious flowers that have not quite gone over yet.
And yes these spires are foxgloves! I sowed the seeds way back in June and the weather has stayed so warm throughout autumn that they are flowering early as are the Sweet Willams. I wonder if they will flower again in the spring or if their flowering period will be over?
I also have a fresh crop of ammi visnaga – these lovely umbrels are growing in pots in my cold frames. I planted most of my last batch of ammi visnaga into the garden a couple of months ago, but those plants have been caught by a frost now – these ones were inadvertently left in their pots and are producing some lovely late blooms that are well protected from the frost – perhaps a good thing to do with a few more annuals next year.
So there you have my vase of spring and autumn blooms with a few summer left overs to fill out the jug. I photographed these yesterday which was a beautiful sunny day, unlike today which was much more a gloomy November day.
Life is still unpredictable here. My mother is very ill and has been in hospital for a month now. She is due to return home in a week or so’s time but is very frail and will need a lot of support. Dealing with her illness has taken over my daily routines leaving very little time for anything other than essentials so I fear it will be some time before I can be here on a regular basis again. I will try and pop in when I can to share a few words and photos with you.
Thank you to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for organising this lovely meme and congratulations to her for reaching her 3rd anniversary of posting Monday vases. My own anniversary for taking part in her meme will be celebrated next Monday, so I hope that I will be able to join you here to celebrate 3 years of sharing Monday vases.
I wish you all a lovely week.
Julie xx
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Your arrangements are lovely and your photos are amazing!!! What camera set up do you use?
Oh Julie…. what can I say? They are magnificent!!! Truly, just gorgeous. I agree that November is one of my least favorite months (except I DO have a birthday!) but actually I think January is very dismal. I’m so very sorry to hear of your Mother’s on-going illness. I do know just how much time, and energy, these things take. It’s hard on everyone. But your flowers are just SO lovely and cheerful and full of color and life: we are all enjoying them. Thank you.
Beautiful Chrysanths. I have fallen in love with Allouise type. Would you mind sharing what types you have used in this vase? I love the one in the third photo, but they are all delicious.
Your beautiful vase was a shock to the system when I first clicked on the post, Julie – a stunning collection of blooms in shades less expected in November, and superbly photographed too. This would definitely convert any chrysanthemum naysayers! So sorry that your Mum is as poorly as she is – it is not only the practicalities that will take their toll, but seeing one’s parent decline in this way too. Take care Julie
Hello Julie. It is always so lovely to see your beautiful photos of pristine blooms! I am/was not all that keen on Chrysanthemums until I saw your pastel shades. They are so very pretty! Life sometimes takes over doesn’t it. Still, I do hope your Mum will be able to manage at home and that you will have a little time to yourself for your garden before winter gets a grip. All the best!
Such glorious photos. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Always such beautiful photos!
so delicate. beautiful!
Your Chrysanthemums are such gorgeously delicate colours, I haven’t found anything like those here. You describe them as for greenhouse; is this because they are particularly tender or that you decide to grow them that way. Are they inside all summer or do you bring them in as I’ve seen Sarah Raven do? I’m so sorry to hear that you mother is still very ill; I do hope she will be able to cope a home.
Thank you Christine – I buy my plugs from Chrysanthemums Direct – they have a good range of colours. I buy the late flowering varieties as I want chrysanthemums in November & December so these need to be brought into the greenhouse in October to encourage & protect the blooms. They sit outside in large pots for the rest of the year. When I am watering in the summer I always wonder if they are worth the effort but I get a great deal of joy out of them at this bleak time of year so yes – they are worth it! I am worried about my mother but her greatest wish is to be in her own home so we will try it. She will have the support of caters as well as me but I am not sure she will like that either – getting old is very hard.
Beautiful, I love your colour palette. I used to grow a pale bronze chrysanthemum at the plot which extended my flower picking from daffodil time to Christmas so I think it is time to invest in a few new plug plants. So sorry to hear about your mother, I do sympathise with how you must be feeling.
Julie, the soft, tender colors in this arrangement are a balm to my soul. Nice to read about your enjoyment of chrysanthemums. Last week I attended a chrysanthemum show at a nearby garden. There were some passionate growers on hand to answer questions and I gained a deeper appreciation of chrysanthemums from their commitment.
Your arrangement is beautiful. Does your mother enjoy flowers as much as you? Warm wishes for her health.
Gorgeous ♥
Such a surprise and so beautiful. I can see why you love these soft colors. There are few flowers to be found in my shady garden at any time of year and fall is no exception, but it is an especially lovely season here. Yes, the days are growing shorter, but our stifling summer heat and humidity are a thing of the past and weekends are savored for their outdoor adventures.
I was inspired by your earlier posts, Julie, to order from Crysanthemums Direct and went for their Chelsea Greens collection which are flowering now in my greenhouse. I have to say that the quality of the plants was superb and the resultant blooms are a delight on these dismal November days. I also planted some annual seeds as you suggested at the end of the summer and with the mild weather I am still enjoying their glorious splashes of colour even now.
Finding your blog has been the highlight of my gardening year with so much useful information and inspiring ideas and photos – thank you so much Julie and I do hope that your Mum’s return home goes well and she makes good progress back to better health.