Orange leaves, Red leaves, Frosted leaves

Though hast thy music too, says Keats in his Ode to Autumn.  It's a chance to look at up at the trees and notice their changing colours, and admire how lovely they are.  Just don't think about all the raking up there will be later  The orange brown leaves are on a Sessile Oak (I think!).

The autumn colour continues along this path, from the red of the Rhododendron luteum to the yellows of the Hosta.

On Thursday I started to tidy away the pots into the greenhouse and turfed the strawberry plants outside.  After a season of indoor growing the windows are absolutely filthy.  There were no frosts forecast for the next week, so thought I was being a bit premature.

You can guess what's coming next.

Friday morning - a ground frost.  The thermometer in the greenhouse recorded 0.9C.  The frost looks so pretty.

But of course, it has put an end to the Dahlias and tender annuals.  The flower of Glory of Heemstede looks fine, but the blackened leaves tell a different story.

The leaves on the Japanese acer are turning a fiery red, although my camera was drawn to the twisting curves of the branches hiding beneath.

It is of course, bulb planting time, and now the weather is turning colder, it will be time to get on and plant the tulips.  I've a fancy selection of rich toned doubles from Sarah Raven to grace some pots, and budget bulk buys from Parkers for the borders - Tulip Burgundy for the Knot Garden and Tulip Purissima (White Emperor) for the front garden.  

That's all for this week but don't forget that more garden relating chat can be found on the Propagator, the host of Six on Saturday.