Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: October 2013

The lantana was purchased on clearance at Lowe's a couple of years ago for
 the whopping sum of 25 cents. I believe this plant has offered the best rate
of return on investment ofany in the garden!

The Head Gardener and I are cautiously optimistic that we have seen the end of 90+ degree days ... we're not celebrating just yet but give us another week and we'll break out the good champagne and congratulate each other on having survived another summer. It was touch and go there for a few days in early October after a trip to San Francisco had us fearing our ability to tolerate hellacious heat & humidity had been forever compromised.   But what a difference rain and cooler temperatures have made in the gardeners and the gardens of Wit's End!  Smiles are plentiful and blooms are bountiful!  Here's a sampling of the latter for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

The ex-Asters are in full and glorious bloom.

Russian Sage, Fernleaf Lavender & Ex-Asters share a
bed with Rock Rose and Pink Muhly Grass.

The purple Salvia 'Amistad' has been spectacular.
That's white lantana in the foreground.

It's been a good year for the coral vine.

Cassia splendida 'Buttercream' 

Hamelia, Pink Turk's Cap and Thryallis
are the dominant plants in this picture.

The corner bed: Cuphea, lantana, Bauhinia, Abelmoschus,
Pink Muhly Grass ... and more!

Another view of the corner bed: Pink Muhly Grass, Gaillardias,
Calylophus, Lantana, Turnera ... and more!

These zinnias keep pumping out the screaming red-orange blooms.
The HG shudders at the mankiness of the foliage but I remind her
that the butterflies, like honey badger, don't give a ...

The bed along the garage wall has been a real feast
for the eyes this year.  Giant aloe, spiderwort, coneflowers ... and more!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day is hosted by Carol of May Dreams Gardens on the 15th of each month.  Thanks, Indy Gardener!