Dahlia

Photoshop: Lilium 'Eyeliner'

Upright Elephant Ears

Fun with Photoshop Elements 7

Oriental Poppy "Patty's Plum"

Snow Queen Iris

Autumn at York Downs

As the gardening season of 2009 is winding down, I find myself extremely busy wrapping up all kinds of odds and ends. While cleaning up leaves and garden plants, I've been thinking about all of the photos that I would have liked to have posted this summer. During the winter months I will definitely be sharing my favourite shots.

Here are a few pictures of the autumn season.

Stephanie Osborne

Gardener
York Downs Golf and Country Club

Repeat Blooming Iris

Iris in October???

Most people would say that one downfall of perennial gardening is that there are some beautiful plants which have their specific bloom period and are then finished for the year. Iris' are one of those plants which people love to see but are disappointed when they fade out. This is why when shopping for Iris', I try to find as many varieties that are considered "repeat bloomers". A few repeat blooming iris varieties to look for would be:

• Immortality


• Again and Again (shown above, growing near the Starter Hut)


• Clarence


• Chanpagne Elegance


• Leprechaun's Delight

Hardy Hibiscus

Top: Lord Baltimore

Middle: Plum Crazy

Bottom: Peppermint Schnapps

It's nearing the end of September and the fall perennials have bloomed and are looking nice. There is plenty to appreciate, such as the Sedum Spectabile "Autumn Joy", Rudbeckia Goldstrum and the Chelone Obliqua to name a few.

The most talked about garden plant at the moment is the Hardy Hibiscus which (thankfully) can withstand our harsh winters. We have three colour varieties in our gardens at York Downs, and all are absolutely stunning from late summer into fall.

The only care required is cutting back all of last seasons growth and waiting patiently for it to start again. This is the hardest part as it is one of the latest to emerge. Don't get discouraged and dig it up! In late June it will be to your benefit to snip the tops off of all the branches. Doing this encourages side shoots and you will have more blooms later on (this isn't mandatory but it is advisable to do so.)

If you have a sunny garden and want to jazz it up, the Hardy Hibiscus is a very good choice. In fact I will be looking for a few more colour varieties next spring!

Stephanie Osborne

York Downs Golf and Country Club

Gardener

'Mezoo- Trailing Red'

The trailing annual in this arrangement is a beautiful alternative to vines in a planter.
It's botanical name is Dorotheanthus and it is commonly known as "Mezoo". I found it at Sheridan Nurseries early in the season.

Sunrise

Golf course workers are amongst the earliest to rise. Most days we even beat the sun.

Stephanie Osborne

York Downs Golf and Country Club

Gardener

Garden Photos

Please enjoy this collection of colourful perennials.