September Snapshot

September has been crammed with action, from a week in the Grand Tetons to the Perennial Plant Association’s Fall Conference with plenty of teaching and writing stuffed in between. This is a snapshot of what a fabulous fall can look like.

You’ll find Siberian pea shrub (Lespedeza thunbergii) mentioned on this blog in years past. It’s just such a autumn explosion, it’s hard not to fall in love again and again. Mine has survived the move from side of house to side of garage. Half of it cascaded over like it should and half of it stood upright and waved at me. Plants. They do what they want.

This photo is one of the many pea shrubs planted throughout the Epic campus outside of Madison, WI. We took a blazing tour through the highlights and if you ever get a chance, go visit. It’s breathtaking.

Pea shrubs remind us that autumn is not just yellow, orange, and red foliage. Autumn is also many shades of pink and purple flowers. While I love their haystack form when given space, I think you can cram a pea shrub or two in a small garden and plan on a fountain of pink or purple confetti in September.

Because you deserve a froth of delicate flowers dancing in a warm September breeze.