BECBG in early fall

It looks as though it will take a hard frost to end this display. We visited the Botanical Gardens to meet the orchid society people (which I’ve posted about on Garden Rant), but as impressive as their handiwork was, I found myself admiring the persistently vibrant annual beds even more. The Mexican sunflowers I mistook for dahlias last time continue to open, while the verbena bonariensis has been joined by massed boltonia.

I’ve noticed this in my own garden; starting with younger seedlings such as those I get from Select Seed and my friend’s basement greenhouse provides a delayed, and hence longer-lasting display. I imagine the growers at the Gardens do everything from seed; I wish I could. It would simply take too long with all the shade.

The orchid show was interesting, though all the prize ribbons detracted from the flowers. I guess the winners don’t mind that too much. Above is … some kind of cattleya, I think. I’m just beginning to learn about these plants.

Easier to identify are these colchicums, which have naturalized all along the front perimeter of the perennial beds. These could be waterlily or pleniflorum, judging from images I’ve seen in catalogs. Lovely. I should give these another try in the front yard; looks like they might take some shade. Most bulbs will.