Of Secret Gardens in November

There is a certain magic that happens in the desert in October and November.

The relentless heat of summer lets up just enough for flowers to want to come back.

Not only do they come back, they begin an autumnal show that is so spring like it takes your breath away.

Would you like to come in and take a stroll with me?

I’ll take you through both of my gardens…

The dahlias barrel forth in abundance, barely able to hold themselves up from the weight of their flower heads.

And bees, bees buzz around madly with endless nectar from the hundreds of zinnias that turn up.

Zinnias can withstand the heat like no other and I am always so thankful for how much nourishment they gift the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and all manner of other creatures.

Bee magic is the bestest.

We did begin to see some cool weather and then it shifted again and we’ve been in the low 80’s and high 70’s for a couple weeks now.

The gardens are so overjoyed.

One night at the country house it did drop into the 30’s so the pumpkin vines are officially gone.

But everyone else is still alive and happy for now.

The light though, does have a different feel to it.

And the crisp air in the morning does tell you there is a shift.

Still, the garden adores it.

I was so amazed to see a huge furry bumblebee hanging around recently.

I had to run and grab my camera, something I only thought I’d see in fairy tales.

Couple that with the scalloped edges of a zinnia bud and it’s all some sort of fairy magic.

I have never seen so many bees for months on end as I have seen this year, it’s been incredible.

I need to thank the zinnias profusely for that.

I will make sure to keep them in abundance year after year as I normally do.

I’m so glad to see roses peeking out again as they sort of retreat once it gets crazy hot.

It’s just such a gift to have spring in autumn here in the high desert.

Very very slowly things are changing.

The weather may be warm but the growing things know a shift will come very soon.

From one day to the next it will go from warm days to chilly in the very near future.

I feel like this November wave of creatures and petals really promotes some incredible gratitude.

Thank you big bees, little bees and all bees <3

Oh and did I mention, the level of fuchsia surrounding the gardens this year?

There has been soooo much fuchsia!

Oh and dappled light – always makes me swoon.

The pink frosting roses exploded at the country house, and…

Butterflies have turned up in droves.

How I love butterflies.

The bougainvillea have flowered for months nonstop, just over and over again.

Some in clusters, others in fluttering petals – all a little bit different.

I just stroll around, always a little bit in awe even after 20+ years of gardening, nature always amazes me.

I love the breeze and the birds, slowly walking around clipping a few blossoms to bring inside.

Listening to the sounds of nature all around.

I almost forgot  to mention the marigolds that have been self seeding for years and years since bringing some seeds from my mom’s garden.

Plant a garden and the gifts it will give you will be the most amazing things you can behold.

The fulfillment is so moving that it keeps you doing it year after year.

And now as I see the autumnal shift slowly happening, I know it is time to buy bags of poppies and toss them around when it rains or snows.

They need time in the ground to scarify and germinate in the cold.

Poppy seeds do not need to be planted (simply sprinkled in autumn) because they are so tiny, they will snuggle in by the force of rain and snow pushing them into the ground. And in early spring there will be some kind of magic.

I’m bringing in the lasts – or close to the lasts of the petals.

I know a cool snap is set to come sooner or later.

But for now I fill my house with them…

And every morning checking with wonderment to see what has decided to sneak in at the last minute.

These are beautiful days, cool night and warm days.

These are the very days that enchant people into moving to the desert.

The most delicious weather a person could ever imagine.

All you have to do is survive the summer.

But I suppose that is why people have a second home here and only come for autumn, winter and spring.

Then there are people like me, who are always here…

With hearty appreciation when hints of autumn dance about.

I am barely feeling ready for Halloween and yet it is gone.

These days flutter by so quickly, I hardly know how to grasp it all.

The last 3 months of the year flash by.

I try hard to be mindful and take time to enjoy each day – the garden helps with that in big ways.

It forces you to slow down – and take time to smell the roses if you will.

Corny but so so true.

I’m so glad you stopped in to stroll through the gardens with me.

I can’t wait to see what spring brings.

But now I will prepare to enjoy the rest of November, and then my best month December.

The month I was born in, and a time to rest from the busy garden days and spend some time creating.

I hope you are doing wonderfully.

I will be back soon lovely friends.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Songs from A Secret Garden <3