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FAREWELL SWEET FADING GARDEN (A song of praise ~ An expression of love)

"A garden really lives only insofar as it is an expression of faith, the embodiment of a hope and a song of praise."

~ Russell Page


"We only part to meet again."

~ John Gay


Oakleaf hydrangea
(Hydrangea quercifolia)


Autumn's fine colors
(Hydrangea - Heuchera)

Golden days
(Hosta)

Fine autumn faces ~ whose friends have gone to bed

(Toad lily, Pansy, Coneflower, Heuchera, Autumn daisy, Hydrangea)

_______________

"To cultivate a garden is to walk with God"

~ Christian Nestell Bovee

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Comments

Victoria said…
Beautiful Joey...full of wisdom and magic!Gorgeous mosaics!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Kala said…
I am in love with your hydrangea collage Joey!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said…
Your hydrangea looks still to be in good shape.

Lovely collages.

So far Autumn over here has been kind. Mild, only one or two light frosts and importantly no gales.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Gatsbys Gardens said…
Joey, before writing the blog I never really noticed which plants left first and those that were around until the very end. I seemed to only remember the roses, but you are right there are many that stay around until that first hard frost.

Eileen
Friday, October 29, 2010
Anonymous said…
Dearest Joey, I think that we probably have very different philosophies on the end of the gardening year. For me, rather than a lingering, fond farewell it is more of a sharp, swingeing cut and a firm tucking up in bed for the winter.

I am sure, however, that we share the same thrill of Spring!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Rose said…
A beautiful tribute to the end of the season, Joey! It's a bittersweet time: I'm sad to see the last of the blooms wilt in the frost, but my muscles could use a rest for the winter:) I think no one is as full of hope as a gardener--we're eternal optimists that next year will be even more glorious!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Nutty Gnome said…
Gorgeous Joey - and I especially love the tree and garden through the sash window...I could almost believe that I was there! :)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Cat said…
This is such a bittersweet season Joey and you've captured it so well. I especially love the texture you used on the first photo - it's lovely!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Curbstone Valley Farm said…
I used to love the pinkish-bronze color of the oakleaf hydrangea blooms in fall. I haven't planted one in years though. Although fall is time to say farewell to our floral friends, I like John Gay's quote, as we know we'll see them again in spring.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Carol said…
Lovely! Lovely as always Joey! I love the little smiling plaque. Our gardens leave us and we must make do without them. It is a beautiful time of year! You have captured the magic in your photos. ;>)
Friday, October 29, 2010
joey said…
Thank you Kiki. Enjoy this glorious fall.

Hi Kala and thank you. The color is still grand!

Thankful most hydrangeas are still looking great, Rob, and why I so love them! You were lucky to not experience our past windy weather front that raised havoc through a huge part of the country.

Yes, Eileen, and now many of these have been put to bed. I was in the midst of huge garden clean-up before taking these pics with still much to do, hopefully this weekend since we're staying home.

Not so different, dearest Edith. That's exactly what I do too ... no mercy ... off with their heads! Yes, I do so love spring, my favorite season.

How true, Rose. Gardeners are indeed eternal optimists. Frankly though, I'll be thrilled when finished putting the garden to bed.

Thank you, Jennifer. As were your golden hosta!

Hi dear Nutty and thank you. The window frames an oakleaf hydrangea, the view from my library. I love it and it just keeps getting better!

Thank you, Whimsical. It's the first time I used a textured background, liking the fading effect of fall. Happy you noticed :)

So marvelous throughout each season, the oakleaf hydrangea might be my all-time favorite plant, Clare.
Friday, October 29, 2010
joey said…
Thank you, Carol. How kind. Yes, though today was stunning, the magic autumn colors are fading fast. Soon, all might be winter white!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Bonnie said…
So sad to say goodbye to our gardens. I have not cut my hostas down yet, even though they are pretty much dead, their golden color is still pretty.
Friday, October 29, 2010
joey said…
Thanks Dirty Girl ... enjoy the remains of autumn :)

Welcome, Bonnie. I hear you, and so enjoy the golden rivers of hosta in the garden.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Rick said…
Ah yes, a sad time it is. I took my dahlias and calla and canna lilies in yesterday - I was going to make a few photos of them but they looked too tired. My hostas look much like yours.

The good thing is that we had opportunity to make some beautiful photos of them all this year and we'll be able to enjoy them again as the snow flies.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Carolyn ♥ said…
Your pictures as always are stunning, Joey.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
joey said…
How true, Rick. We have all so enjoyed the cycle of life in the garden. No snow yet ... please!

How kind. Thank you, Meredehuit. One never knows ... beauty is in the eye of the beholder :)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monica the Garden Faerie said…
Can you believe I don't have a hydrangea?! I love the oakleaf kind, especially.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
CanadianGardenJoy said…
Joey this is so gorgeous and voices exactly how I feel .. I missed so much of the garden season I have a big hole in my garden heart that I didn't get to fill .. but this makes it feel so much better ! Thank you: )
Joy
Saturday, October 30, 2010
joey said…
Trust me, you would love the oakleaf hydrangea, Monica. We have them here and at the lake ... autumn color ... the best!

I'm sorry, Joy. In or out of the garden, it's a bittersweet time. Rest up for spring :)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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