I was out in the garden doing my fall cleanup before summer is even over. Our gardening season has been unusual to say the least. Here in the South Puget Sound it has been hot, hotter and hottest since May, highly unusual.  Thankfully we’re on the side of the mountains without wildfires but the smoke from them is drifting to our side of the mountains and covering the sun enough to make an eery rose-colored light. The whole summer has been eery. The weather requires a new plant care learning curve.

We have been moving these Brugmansias in and out of the house for 4 years and they’re too large now but I found out that they will live through the winter if you just mulch them.

                              Brugmansia ‘Pink Ecuador’

        I call this one Brugmansia ‘It was supposed to be red’

Really cool cutting from friend, Erik. Begonia luxurians. I guess it isn’t hardy so I have to bring it inside but it gets big really fast and looks very much like a palm tree.

My absolute favorite new (for me) plant this year was Crocosmia ‘Miss Scarlett’. I had planted it 2 years ago and it didn’t bloom so I put it in more sun and it has been spectacular. It bloomed later than other Crocosmias and is a beautiful dark red with a shaded lighter eye. The best part is the foliage. It isn’t floppy. It stands straight, needs no support and has a pretty bluish cast. From the way it’s growing I don’t think it will be invasive, just spread slowly. It’s stunning.

                           Crocosmia ‘Miss Scarlett’

Bartlett Pears were not only a bumper crop this year, they are clean and without any disease or bugs. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have rain.

And lastly…my first Eucomis, E. ‘Rhode Island Red’ from Windcliff. They were planted all over the place there and were so beautiful. I had no idea the leaves collapsed.