Mary Claire Rowe

The giant, cotton-ball clouds are racing overhead, but not a leaf is stirring below in the woods.

Sunlight shines golden through millions of leaves. Though some remain green, and some are a gorgeous brilliant red, many have already turned brown and lie everywhere.

This is definitely the time for waiting. Waiting for the wind, waiting for the rain, waiting for the cold; it is a waiting game.

Which will cry "uncle" first, the trees, or the gardener? The trees seem poised, almost holding their collective breaths, waiting for the signal, "Fall!" Any moment now it seems, the leaves could just all fall off the trees into huge piles on the ground.

Wouldn't that be just amazing?

One year, we went away for a long weekend. The trees looked like they do today, still full of expectation. When we returned, almost all the leaves had blown away.

It was both disappointing, and nice: nice, because our yard work in clearing walks and pathways could be done for the season in one fell swoop. Disappointing, because there is something satisfying and natural about the slow progression of the season in an orderly manner.

We haltingly go through the change of season, taking our time to do the things we need to do for our gardens, and ourselves - psyching ourselves for the dark days and cold weather looming ahead. When a "blue norther" is threatening, everything is rushed and frantic. It is nicer, when that transition comes slowly and gently.

Sitting in the dappled shade, breathing the delicious fall air, gives us a peaceful pause from all our need-to-do, activities. These gentle moments do not last very long, especially if our partner finds us day-dreaming instead of working on our chore list. Perhaps you can encourage him or her to take a break and enjoy the lovely fall day with you. You will never regret the lovely time in the garden you spent together just enjoying life.

FLOWER OF THE DAY: Cosmos bipianatus "Mexican aster'' or just plain Cosmos. Introduced into Europe from Mexico in the late 1700s, they were an instant sensation. While they are not as popular today, they can still be seen in the lovely cottage gardens of the Cotswold of England.

Cosmos are considered to be a half-hardy annual, because they so readily self-sow. They like full sun, and have medium water needs, and once established, are fairly drought tolerant. They grow about 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide, and have lovely thin leaves. Birds and monarch butterflies, as well as other butterflies, just love them. Plant some next spring and enjoy them all summer and into fall. They come in many colors, and add beauty to any garden.


"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.

Mary Claire Rowe
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