Tiny white moths on the…

Tiny white moths on the Quickfire hydrangea, which continues one of my favorites, now making its autumn color change from white to pink. These moths aren't as showy as the bigger butterflies, but they've been visiting my garden all summer, and they make me happy. Big ruffled lavender dahlia, against greening Annabele hydrangeas. I was trying to figure out what the name of this dahlia was, going through my notes, and, in fact, it's Lavender Ruffles. That was easy.

New autumn perennials. When I first moved here, I concentrated on a spring garden, because that's my favorite season. This year, working on boosting the autumn appeal. Pictured here, Brilliant sedum (which will bloom pink, and attracts butterflies). Beth Violet garden mum (may not come back, but should provide a few months of cheery bloom for five bucks, which is a pretty good deal). Anemone / windflower Lucky Charm, not very tall right now, but should get up to 30 inches, maybe not 'til next year. Aromatic aster October Skies, a bit wild in appearance, but mixing nicely with the periwinkle under the big parkway tree.

I'm happy with how the autumn garden is shaping up -- I'm not big into yellows and oranges, but there are, it turns out, plenty of pinks and purples and magentas in autumn plants. Not so much blue, it seems, but spring will come again.

I wish toad lilies had a better name, because I'd bet the name keeps people from indulging in a beautiful woodland plant, blooming so happily in shade. They grow about hip high; this one is Dark Beauty, which it certainly is. Following is a tall version of anemone, Robustissima, which next year should get to 3-5 feet high. And the final cheerful bunch of asters didn't have a name -- just generic autumn asters. Not sure they'll come back, but they're very inexpensive, and should give lots and lots of long-lasting blooms.