A boy needs a breath of fresh air every now and then. Consequently, I took a break from writing about my indoor gardens this morning, in order to photograph the colorful ones outdoors. The lawn here is a thick mat of brown, fallen leaves, courtesy of the ancient sugar maples on the property. But until my giant, 200 year old copper beech (above) gets with the program, fall cleanup will have to wait.
Next to the front porch, Lilac ‘Avalanche’ makes a golden sculpture
There is no finer chrysanthemum than the late-blooming ‘Helen.’
Following two major rainstorms, water has at last returned to the Hudson River tributary behind my Woodland Garden.
A towering maple in the Woodland Garden
The Rose Garden, fountains turned off for the winter
One of several blueberry shrubs, their verdant foliage now cloaked in vermillion and gold.
In the Serpentine Garden, spring-blooming Witch Hazel now wears its autumn dress
I have a bumper crop of quince this year. Anyone have a recipe to share?
I hope the autumn color is lovely where you are, too. Have you already raked your leaves, or are they still falling?
Janis in Chicago says
Last year, everytime I finished raking the lawn, yet another tree would release its leaves! This year I'm waiting until every last leaf is down. Then I'll do a grand sweep.
Eric says
Yes, there's another reason to grow blueberries: their beautiful fall foliage. Mine, too, are a fiery red.
Andi Swift says
Kevin: Those house and grounds look lovely but I don't envy the clean up of that tree. Andi
cindy says
Kevin:
I just found your website. Your fall photographs and your home are stunning. I look forward to being a regular reader of your blog.
Cindy from Connecticut
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andi – it's a big job, but I try to remember that the mountains of leaves, once shredded and composted, are next year's soil!
Cindy – welcome to A Garden for the House!
Judy says
Your house looks beautiful in any season — especiall fall! Central Park was still pretty green last I checked but some trees are finally starting to turn. Is this your favorite season too?
RJ says
Kevin,
Beautiful! I am particularly impressed with your Lilac as the full sized Lilacs tend not to have an autumn colour. MIne are actually still all green! But my Spirea prunifolia are beatiful in scarlet and orange!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Fall is definitely my favorite season! I like winter, too, especially when the countless bowls and pots of bulbs I've planted start blooming IN the house!
RJ – I love Spirea prunifolia — truly breathtaking in autumn.
Justin says
Love your house. Any chance we can have a “cyber tour” indoors?
Erika says
Kevin, I have quince too, but I let the squirrels have them! I've tried quince jelly, however, and its very good.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – Stay tuned. There will, at some time this winter, be a house tour!
Erika – I usually let the squirrels have my quince, but this year I'll harvest a few for myself. Maybe someone will send me a not-too-complicated quince recipe.
Scott O. says
Hey Kevin,
I see the Blueberry Shrub. Did you get it locally? I haven't frequented the nurseries lately and I wonder if it is too late to plant.
I do love a fall bargain, and would try a few if my soil is right.
Jed Swift says
Hi Kevin
I love your fall photos. Everything looks so beautiful. When will your book come out?
Best, Jed
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Scott – Welcome home! A container-grown blueberry shrub can be planted up until the ground freezes. I bought most of mine from Randy at Sycamore Garden Center. He may still have some in stock. Blueberries want an acidic soil; my blueberry patch is acidified annually with aluminum sulfate. You can do the same.
suscha says
Kevin,
The view down the Kinderhook Creek is a great photo! a real postcard……
John says
Kevin: RE: amending with aluminum sulfate
I've read that after three or so years of amending with aluminum sulfate, the soil actually becomes toxic for the plants and it does more harm than good. Have you heard of this before. (I liked to use it on mop head hydrangeas to get blue blooms as we have alkaline soils here in central Indiana.)
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
John – I started applying plain old sulfur (Espoma sells this as “Garden Soil Acidifier”) to my blueberry patch in August. This product is slower-acting than aluminum sulfate, but safer to use. It will, of course, turn hydrangeas blue. Just use enough to achieve a soil pH between 5-7.
Thanks for bringing up this topic. I hope you'll write again.