Coneflower

I’ve been amazed at the lack of a freeze this late in the season, but Facebook reminded me with a photo of brilliant variegated shell ginger that we only had our first freeze here at the house on January 4th last year.

 These Pam’s pink Turks caps start blooming late but keep on going.

 The cape honeysuckle are a bright burst on the increasingly grey days.

 Another late summer/early fall bloomer, Mexican bush sage is prolific.

 As are the Mexican mint marigolds.

 In the pots by the front door, these begonias are refreshed after some cooler temps and rain.

 And next to the begonias, these Mexican honeysuckles are about to bloom for the third time.

This Royal Queen, or Iochroma, is stunning.  Bar none, my favorite in the garden these days.  It’s a mid-fall bloomer, but oh-so-well-worth the wait.

In the granite and flagstone path out back, the sweet alyssum are perky as can be.

Even the neighboring pink skull cap is starting to bloom again.

I posted these on my FB profile last week – this abutilon is bursting with blooms.

Unruly, but showing deepening purple colors, indigo spires salvia is tough-as-nails.

The lion’s tails are still showing off — I’ve brought them in and arranged them in vases with other late bloomers.  You can see those arrangements here and here.  They include many of these blooms.

As I write this post, I realize that I’ve left a few of these bright blooms out of those arrangements, so I’m feeling inspired to make another arrangement today.

THIS is what I love about living in Austin, Texas.

Are you making bouquets from your garden?