Maple Tree Ablaze

Our backyard maple tree was ablaze last week. Leaves are falling like rain this week.

Christmas Cactus in Bloom for Halloween

A sign of an early winter? All of my Christmas Cactus plants are blooming right now. I don't usually see that until the middle of next month.

Back Patio

My back patio with scattered leaves. My friend cleaned it all up the other day and it looks so inviting.

Black-eye Susans Gone to Seed

The glorious black-eyed Susans are done flowering. Now, I'll leave the seedheads for the birds. Oregon juncos are already feasting.

River Birch Losing its Leaves

A river birch that we planted a few years ago. We're happy with this tree. It's a double-trunk version, people usually get a three-trunk. It's thriving. When we fade into our colorless winter, I'll get a close-up of the bark - which has shades of purple on it.

Late Season Lavender

A couple of fresh lavender blossoms late in the season. This is my favorite lavender plant. The blossoms have a lilac note to temper the sometimes-stringent lavender. This is a Munstead variety.

Dead Tomato Plants

My dead tomato plants. They wilted earlier this month during the first hard frost. Some people tear them down at this point. They are more ambitious than I. I like to say I leave them up so the birds have something to snack on all winter.