Comments

1. 
   Nurserynotnordstroms 12/06/2014

   Well we have had a long series of gardens from Washington State and each one so incredibly beautiful.Joe I am sorry to hear of your painful diseases and I am so glad you have your gardening to do to help compensate for your pain. When I gardening I find myself completely engrossed in what I am doing and even though it's hard work it's very relaxing. Your garden is so beautiful in the fall, the trees all look spectacular,the burning bushes have been especially vibrant in color this year in Wa. Did you plant all of the trees in your gardens? I wish I had all of your knowledge as a Master Gardener I would love to remember all of the names of my rare plants,it would be so impressive but alas I can only remember but a few.

2. 
   meander_michaele 12/08/2014

   Hi, Joe, I really appreciated your photo sharing approach of including a close-up as well as the picture of the plant/tree from a bit of a distance. I can certainly see why you are such a fan of your Cornus kousa 'Satomi' although its neighbor the Acer palmatum has a particularly graceful shape and beautiful fall color. I guess it's the flowers on the Kousa that are the tie breaker for making it your favorite. I think many of us share your ability to get lost in the process of gardening which helps push pain down although you are dealing with 2 very challenging conditions. I wish you continued joy and gratification in the pursuit of this special activity. Sounds like you are nourishing your mind (achievement of Master Gardener status) as well as ameliorating your pain.
   ps What are some of the varieties of peonies that you grow and which is your favorite among them?

3. 
   Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 12/08/2014

   So beautiful, Joe, and great choice of a distracting, peaceful pastime! Some amazing fall colors.

4. 
   wittyone 12/08/2014

   You have some beautiful vibrant colors going on here . I'm particularly taken with the peony foliage. By September mine just look yellow and terribly tired rather than happy and rampantly red like yours.

5. 
   GrannyMay 12/08/2014

   Joe, thank you for sharing your fall splendour with us. Gorgeous colours! Gardening is a wonderful hobby that helps deal with both physical and mental problems and meeting other gardeners via GPOD is a special treat, as we have a lot in common. Your favourites are beautiful. I can see why you have chosen them. What is your espaliered Hamamelis attached to?

6. 
   wGardens 12/08/2014

   Nice photos and especially like seeing the up-close photos. I am quite taken with the 'Styrax japonicus! Need to look that one up! I totally understand the therapy aspect of gardening as well. Thank you for sharing. Please send more photos!

7. 
   GrannyCC 12/08/2014

   Thanks for sharing your beautiful Fall garden. Next we will have to see it in the Spring. Gardening is a wonderful way to distract us and we are so lucky to be able to carry on. Also GPOD brings us closer together to share our gardening ups and downs.

8. 
   greengenes 12/08/2014

   Colors galore, Joe! All so very nice. I really liked the combo of euphorbia and pyracantha. Yes, gardening is so so helpful to us in many ways. And there are so many different kinds of plants that it will keep us busy for quite a while! The styrax is a tree iam getting next for our gardens. There is a "green Pagoda" styrax that has larger leaves, flowers and the most coveted part for me, is the seed pods! Thanks so much for showing us your garden! And it would be lovely to see your summer blooms!

9. 
   schatzi 12/08/2014

   Wow! Great specimens, great color! And great photos, too. The close-up of the Pyracantha is spectacular. The combination of distance and close-up photos is very effective. And I agree on the therapy part. When I am gardening, the world goes away and I have been known to miss appointments because I was "in the zone". Congrats on becoming a master gardener. I have been a Pierce County MG for 20 years, since shortly after retiring. It's a great outfit. We learn from each other and when I am with plants and plant people, I am happy. Welcome to the "club". (MGs and blog.)

10. 
    sheila_schultz 12/08/2014

    Gorgeous fall colors, Joe. I agree with your 3 year trial period for new plants, although I must admit to being a tad impatient with some of mine that aren't performing up to my expectations. There are way too many plants to try to settle for one that is unhappy!

11. 
    GrannyMay 12/08/2014

    Thanks for the information Joe. I'm always curious to learn how other gardeners solve their problems. Your Hamamelis is certainly worth the extra work. Hope you'll send more photos in the future.

12. 
    foxglove12 12/08/2014

    Gorgeous color. Agreed gardening can be healing and can give one a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Well done.

13. 
    jerrysiss 12/08/2014

    I suffer from pancreatitis so I do the same thing, put my headphones on and chill out in my flower garden. Now that's it's winter in Ohio I'm going nuts.

14. 
    user-1020932 12/08/2014

    GREAT color shots and i always love trees. i am most amazed at the peony, i didn't know they even had a fall color as here in TN they are brown and crispy by Labor Day. i never thought of Hammaelis as an espalier candidate either. it all looks beautiful

1. 
   meander_michaele 12/09/2014

   Whew, Jeff, glad you shared how unglamorous your peony leaves are from Sept. on since mine also are also pretty darned ugly. I was really impressed with how attractive and photo worthy Joe's were with their pretty fall color.

15. 
    Zperson 12/09/2014

    Thank you for sharing your garden, Joe. I especially like the fall color of the Peony. What variety is that; I've never seen one with such pretty fall foliage.