Perhaps it was the very light overnight frost that led the blackbirds to investigate the neglected crab apples in the front garden.
This one turned its back on them and considerately stayed just long enough for me to photograph it.
We still have plenty of colour in our plot.
There are winter flowering plants such as this viburnum bodnantensis Dawn in Margery’s Bed,
and the tiny clematis cirrhosa Freckles dotted over the gazebo.
Hardy autumnal chrysanthemums we do expect;
maybe some of these fuchsias are tough enough to make it through the winter;
but self seeded bidens?;
still perky nasturtiums?;
sturdy penstemons?;
varieties of geranium not sheltered in the greenhouse?;
roses such as ascending Altissimo,
blushing Schoolgirl,
marvellous Mamma Mia,
and blooming Absolutely Fabulous?
To send these beauties packing it is not yet cold enough.
This evening Jackie produced a fillet of pork laced with powdered mustard, flaked almonds, and brown sugar, served with roast potatoes and parsnips; colourful rainbow carrots, firm Brussels sprouts, and tender runner beans. Having enjoyed a beer beforehand, neither of us imbibed.
So beautiful!
Thanks very much, Irene
Hardy beauties 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Beautiful photos. Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁
Many thanks, Jan. Good wishes to you, too
Amazing how many flowers you still have! And I loved the photo of the blackbird and crab apples
Thanks very much, Marina
Watching colours in November is a blessing!
It is, indeed
Thanks very much, Rupali
I am in awe about the weather where you are. It has been freezing on and off here and today we celebrate a pretty chilly Thanksgiving.
I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving nevertheless, Widders. Many thanks
Your garden is a very happy one, it isn’t ready to be put to bed just yet! Dinner sounds particularly yummy – and I don’t eat pork 😀
Many thanks, Pauline. Such a generous comment on the dinner 🙂
Lovely photos. A few hundred miles and I can report it is more than cold enough. Flowers long gone.
Yes. Those miles do make a difference. Thanks very much, Dad
Lovely. Thanks for sharing these beauties Derrick 🌸
Many thanks, Miriam
It is always such a thrill to see these blooms.
Thank you very much, Arlene
Beautiful, Derrick. It’s certainly too cold for me, but obviously not yet for the flowers (though of all of them the fuschias surprise me the most).
We do still have quite a variety of fuchsias, Val. Thanks very much
Nice to see your garden as I am staying in today; Sydney’s dust storms being a nuisance at the moment. My jacaranda has brittle branches that are being dropped by the wind. It is a bit hazardous outside.
Thanks very much, Mary. Winds this year have been a problem here too. I do hope yours subside and you get a proper summer
Thank you, Derrick.
All of the flowers are delightful, but I’m especially fond of the yellow and salmon roses. They were my mother’s favorite (although I’m not sure which varieties she raised) and seeing such blooms always raises nice memories.
Thanks very much, Linda. I like to trigger memories
I’m so surprised at all the flowers still blooming there! They are so pretty.
So are we, Leslie. Thanks very much
Amazing amount of colour in your garden for the time of year, we especially like the roses, dinner sounds delicious.
Thanks very much, Rob. Dinner was excellent
Gorgeous, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill
You’re so very lucky. The temperatures here have plummeted here and we’re experiencing below average temperatures. With the high winds it feels like we’re right into winter. Wish I wore my long underwear the other day. Looks like tomorrow might warm up a bit but the garden was put to bed last week.
Many thanks, Carol. We are certainly lucky
Thank you for sharing the beautiful flowers, Derrick! I am so glad they are still a-bloom! They are smile-giver and joy-bringers on a cold night here. 🙂
I love the photo of the blackbird! He/she fits right in to the surroundings! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn
Gardens are certainly retaining their colour this year Derrick. Nice pictures again.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Such stunning photos, Derrick. I particularly like the one with the blackbird.
Thanks a lot, Merril. Just caught the moment
A lovely display indeed – i echo the previous commenters but add that the rainbow of colours in the schoolgirl rose in close up is amazing! 🙂
It’s been 45 years since i’ve seen a blackbird – thanks for that! 🙂
Many thanks, Love
I haven’t seen colour like that since August!
There is a rumour that my german grandma who I never knew had a rose named after her back then, the Vernita rose
🙂 The smile is for the rose, not the weather. Thanks very much, Pleasant
Lovely flowers and a lovely bird.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
My goodness! So much still to admire.
We are so lucky. Thanks very much, Laurie
I haven’t seen my blackbirds – perhaps it’s not cold enough 😉
🙂 Thanks very much, Helen
Lovely garden full of color and life, Derrick. You have a good eye for detail.
Thanks very much, Eugenia
😉
Beautiful pics Derrick
Many thanks, Gary
The flowers look spectacular Derrick
Thanks very much, Drew
Doesn’t look like the end of November. The weather has been mild. Did you get any of the last night’s storm? Things were flying here.
Thanks very much, Inese. We did get the storm. Still 50+ mph winds today
Garden is looking miraculously good for this time of year – congratulations to Jackie, and well done to the photographer.
Thanks very much, Quercus. Perhaps, like the Aussies, we’ll be having Christmas dinner al fresco
That might be a step to far, but you never know…
We’ve already had a snowstorm.
Ouch! Many thanks, Micheline