Annuals in my garden by the sound

Even with our really cool nights these tropical annuals by my front door are going crazy! They even seem to have woken up in the cool nights and still pretty warm days and their lush colors and textures are like the gift that keeps on giving.  I know with that first frost that will be here soon I'll come out and find my lovely elephant ear plant crusty and dead, so I just keep watering it and treasuring its glossy leaves as long as I can.

Grasses rule the fall beach gardens in New England

Grasses are everywhere by the beach and in my mind they are the kings and queens holding court in the New England fall garden.  And this hydrangea standard overflows with bounteous blooms in the summer that turn this gorgeous pink in the fall.  This one sure loves where it's planted!

Summer Snowfake viburnum flowers from spring till fall in my garden

This 'Summer Snowflake' viburnum rewards me from late spring and all the way through fall with its lacecap white blooms.

Fall look of my hydrangea standard 'Tardiva'

My standard hydrangea 'Tardiva' is so pretty in the fall with its blushing pink flowers.

Fall in my garden by the sound

My garden by the sound in its waning hours before freezing, snow and sleep for the winter.

Tomato heaven at our garden by the Sound

Just picked from my garden.  The best part of my Indian summer garden right now.  The last few weeks have given us dozens of tomatoes from the seedlings my son brought from his aunt's plants in North Carolina way back in April. We weren't sure they'd survive a too early planting back in our cool spring or a severe plague of whiteflies that we got rid of - finally - with sprays of natural dish soapy
water, but they made it...and now they are giving us a gift of beautiful organic tomatoes.  And they are delicious!

Indian summer color in my container gardens

My containers in front of my house are still going strong in our New England Indian summer.  I know it won't be long till the first frost and I'll come out and find my beautiful tropical and heat loving annuals wilted and done.  And then the long cold winter is on the way and the dreams of spring 2012 begin.