I'm getting frosts but have not yet had a killing frost - my grape leaves are still hanging in although getting more soggy looking. The dahlias bit it over the weekend, so time to dig them if I decide to do so. I've cleaned and re-loaded all the bird feeders and am going through lots of seed. All my feeders are within sight of my computer desk, which makes for restful view. Still working on mowing up leaves to mulch the beds. It's getting harder to get myself motivated to go outside, but with enough layers it's enjoyable.



Japanese maples leaves nestled in a large burdock leaf.

Beautiful shot Deb! I did a bit of cleanup as well as planting the last few days, weather is pretty nice still. Flew into BC Canada today for a 2 week visit with the in-laws, burr it's cold!

I saw on our local weather news a well formed winter storm coming your way up there..good luck!

Perfect. We're heading to the beach (Pacific Ocean) this weekend and a good storm is always impressive. Better pack galoshes and slicker.

Tomorrow (11/8) is Springcolor's birthday!!! Happy birthday Spring - hope you have a great year!!
Bonehead - have fun at the ocean!!

Deb have fun!!! Are you digging for Clams?

Thanks Greg!

Julia, happy birthday, enjoy your day! I don't think clamming is open this weekend (although I guess I should check, we both have shellfish licenses...) We're just going for a weekend with friends, who have a cabin north of Ocean Shores. Beach walking, eating, chatting by the fire, more eating - total relaxation!

Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Thanks for the wishes.

Bingo - we got good weather on the coast. No rain with sun peaks throughout the weekend. Good beach walking, although I do seem to be plagued with dead animals these days... here's a shot of the beached whale that is right in front of our friends' cabin. It's been there for about 4 months and is pretty rank. It was a challenge to keep the dogs away from it, although the seagulls are certainly enjoying an unexpected smorgasbord!

For good weather. Love the ocean, has been way to long, time for a visit.

A few blooms out there but not much:
Last of the Penstemon Strawberry Taffy and Blueberry Taffy


a NOID fuchsia
a mixed up delphinium
Lemon Drop oenothea
Choc. cosmos
Annual vine. I'll think of the name soon. Need to get some cuttings because they are tuff to start from seed.
Shades of green in the shade garden

Love that Strawberry Taffy, Julia.

Is your pretty vine Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)?

Yes, Thank you!

I've tried germinating seeds for it, but it's too difficult for me. I once had sprouts...but they rotted. I do enjoy looking at others' pictures though.

I found that the seeds need to be fresh. That's hit and miss with some seed company's. I'm going to get cuttings right now. They are tuff to start from seed. I started them in a damp paper towel in a zip lock. Worked really well.

So I noticed a couple people with pictures of chocolate cosmos. I love these plants not just because they really do smell of chocolate... but because they are STILL blooming so nicely in my garden in mid-November... yeah! But do they over winter well here in the PNW???

Kelli I think it depends on how severe the weather...I noticed you're in snohomish, so if you are closer to the sound you probably have warmer temps and they're more likely to overwinter. It is amazing that they smell like chocolate!
I saw this in the Volunteer park conservatory - not chocolate cosmos but very brown almost black flower (have no ID)

Hi Kelli,

I have the choc. cosmos in my yard and has wintered over for about five years. The important thing is good drainage. It's much like a dahlia tuber so you could dig and store frost free over winter. They are not to expensive so if they don't return I just buy again in the spring. One year I got a bag of tubers at Costco but, that was a few years ago. I love the deep rich color hat goes well with most any thing.

Here are a couple more bloom photos - mums! The one is an amazing color that my phone just couldn't fully catch! The inside of the petal is golden brown! These were all huge by the way! Can't tell that from the photos either!

Greg, those are amazing!! I went there once and they had a great cactus garden too. Love the coleus.
The thread "Seattle Conservatory!" in Greenhouses forum These are some pictures from my trip.

It looks very much the same. Except that many of the orchids are currently in bloom!