What's Blooming in October

By LarryR
October 17, 2011

October usually spells the end of the gardening season here in Iowa. This year we've been blessed with an extended season as there has been no frost yet. Come on in and see what's still blooming at Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens! Check out the photo contest at the end of the article and take a moment to scroll down farther to the forum to show us some of the flowers blooming in your garden right now.

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Oct 17, 2011 4:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
As always, a good article.

I am still undecided about Lespedeza due to its reputation as a weed. Confused People seem to have good success with it. I was just recently given some and I'm trying to decide what to do with it.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Oct 17, 2011 7:12 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Larry: I really enjoyed your article about what's growing and blooming in your part of the country. Your photograph's are beautiful and I know your gardens must be spectacular! I love the looks of the Persicaria polymorpha and that Bush Clover is gorgeous! We have so many plants down here in Florida that are considered noxious weeds but some are very pretty. I remember many years ago saying someday I wanted to have a strictly "weed" garden ... now that I'm older I grumble at the work it takes keeping the weeds in check.

Thanks again for a great article and also for sharing valleyLynn's photo's of her interesting succulent plants. I saw a photo of her wreath on the Garden Art Forum and marveled at her creativity ... that indeed is a beautiful living wreath!

Lin

p.s. I will be very curious to hear the identity of that wonderful Hot Pink Mystery flower!!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Oct 17, 2011 1:20 PM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
Glad you enjoyed the article, Tee and Lin. I appreciate your kind comments.

The Lespedeza species that is a weedy offender is actually Lespedeza capitata:

Thumb of 2011-10-17/LarryR/0bb6c0

I don't think that Lespedeza thunbergii is at all weedy, but I could be wrong. It doesn't get a chance to be a pest here, because in our zone 5 garden, the season is not long enough for the plant to produce seed. It just produces a clump that gradually gets larger each year. It would be interesting to hear from gardeners who have grown it in warmer zones.

Tee, if your Lespedeza is thunbergii and you decide to grow it , please let me know the result. Thanks!
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
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Oct 17, 2011 1:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Thanks for that info, Larry. I knew I was having a disconnect somewhere. I do believe this I was just given is similar to yours. I recall the gentleman had a large clump or two of it (and I do mean large). I thought to myself at the time that it didn't look too weedy. If these starts live, I'm going to give it a try. Worst case scenario, it certainly won't be the only weed I have in my yard. Glare
I garden for the pollinators.
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Oct 17, 2011 1:44 PM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
Rolling on the floor laughing
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
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