Deep Into Fall

The leaves have finally all left the trees for the ground, trying to overwhelm us with the raking again this year. The trees themselves are standing around like weathered gray skeletons, looking innocent, aloof, as if they had no part in this whole damned mess. The plants that overwinter are pulling their life forces back down into the keep of their roots where it can be protected until the rebirth next Spring. The Summer birds are gone and the Winter birds are marking the feeder locations. The world in general, this gardener included, is battening down the hatches preparing to survive one more frigid Northland winter.

As I was walking down the brick path to the storage shed, putting away coiled hoses and stray garden tools, I noticed some last bits of persistent color. The low growing perennials, mostly Sedums, Pinks and Heucherellas, the various crosses between Heucheras and Tiarellas, are still showing signs of life and subtle color. We'll enjoy their company until they are either covered by snow or cut off at the ankles by a subzero scythe.