Garden Photo of the Day

Jewels of Fall in Fran’s Garden

Subtle beauty at the end of the year

Euphorbia

My name is Fran. We live on Martha’s Vineyard, an island of Massachusetts. I sent photos last summer (2020). I find beauty in the fall and winter from my gardens. I think of these photos as showing the jewels of fall. The rhododendron buds offer the promise of spring when I see them every day. I am adding plants with year-round interest and finding inspiration from other GPOD submissions.

Autumn fernAutumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora, Zones 5–8) gets its name from the orange color of the new fronds, but it also looks great through autumn, staying green and fresh looking longer than many other plants.

Bright holly berriesBright holly berries (Ilex species) are a classic source of color and interest through the colder months of the year.

hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, Miscanthus sinensis, Hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusaThe faded flowers on a hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, Zones 5–9) and ornamental grass (Miscanthus sinensis, Zones 5–9) provide a backdrop to the bright gold-and-green foliage of a Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa, Zones 4–8).

hydrangea flower heads catching the light.The hydrangea flower heads are catching the light.

The seed heads of MiscanthusThe seed heads of Miscanthus sinensis (Zones 5–9) turn into a beautiful, fluffy mass in the fall and can keep looking good through much of the winter.

AcorusThis looks like a golden sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, Zones 5–9) bringing a bright spot of gold to the garden.

The beautiful leaves of Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ (Zone 6 – 9)The beautiful leaves of Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ (Zones 6–9) are marked with gold all year, but they take on an additional reddish hue once the weather turns cold.

Fat flower buds on a RhododendronFat flower buds on a rhododendron promise an incredible display of beauty come spring.

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Comments

  1. User avater
    cindijacobs 12/31/2021

    Love all the beauty your garden holds. Recognizing fall’s splendor of reds and golds is wonderful. The euphorbia is one that offers a nice show. I try to hold on to the color and texture the gardens give as long as possible.. thank you for sharing yours.

  2. User avater
    treasuresmom 12/31/2021

    Very well done. Is there any way we could find out what the link to your previous submission is?

    1. CTpat 12/31/2021

      treasuremom: Go to GPOD on the top bar, and then click on the magnifying glass. Instead of putting in "Fran", which gives you 400+ entries, put in "Martha's Vineyard" and hers in the first of two that come up. I'm thinking after seeing the holly photo that I really need to get a holly--but where to put it. . .

      1. islandlover 12/31/2021

        Love hollies. I plan to plant more where they are easily seen from the windows.

    2. islandlover 12/31/2021

      Enter Fran into the search bar.

  3. nwphilagardener 12/31/2021

    It's nice to be reminded of what's beautiful even now in winter. That does include the dried hydrangea flower clusters and grasses, but also some leaves that remain showy. Yesterday, I noticed how much spread of Arum italica which goes summer dormant but winter hardy. And there was Chinese Ginger with large dark green leaves with a silver pattern overlay. Surprisingly, in a warm micro-climate near the house, Corydalis ochreleuca is not only still showing its delicate foliage but a few white flowers.

  4. User avater
    simplesue 12/31/2021

    I'd love to live on Martha's Vineyard all year round! So nice to see your garden plants.
    Your Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is amazing, and he seed heads of Miscanthus sinensis is gorgeous!

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