Photo: Chronica Domus
We may have entered the first days of autumn here in the Northern Hemisphere, but try telling that to my garden. Do you remember the sweet peas about which I wrote in early August, and the surprise I received when only blossoms of a sugared almond pink color appeared from the assorted heirloom seed packet I planted? Well, this is what the sweet pea patch yielded yesterday morning:
A nineteenth century black basalt vessel sets off the exultant colors of
autumnal sweet peas to perfection
Photo: Chronica Domus
autumnal sweet peas to perfection
Photo: Chronica Domus
At long last, the other colors depicted so prettily on the seed packet's charming illustration - which enticed me into buying it in the first place - have emerged. Late, I'll admit, but they made it through. Thinking back, I don't believe I have ever had the pleasure of picking sweet peas so very late in the year.
Even the glass bathroom shelf gets in on the act with a mixed rosy-hued posy composed of the last sugared almond pink sweet peas that have been in bloom throughout the summer
Photo: Chronica Domus
I think it is simply marvelous that the emergence of these jewel-toned flowers have such impeccable timing. What could be more appropriate, as we approach the cooler months of the year, than to be greeted by the sight of vivid regal purples and crimson pinks in one's vases? As everything around the garden fades to gold, these rich and exuberant colors reign supreme. It's summer's last hurrah.
Photo: Chronica Domus
For those of my readers that have never planted sweet peas, let me share a secret with you. The more one harvests these irresistible blooms, the more seem to emerge. Each plant is a veritable factory of flowers begging to be culled every few days. If I'm fortunate, I'll be picking sweet peas well into October this year.
Have you noticed the subtle signs of autumn arriving in your neighborhood yet or is summer refusing to surrender?
These are simply gorgeous. The colors are perfect for autumn - so rich and vibrant. Hurrah!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, slf. I think these are the prettiest sweet peas I've ever grown. Certainly not as large and showy as modern varieties but they do make the most attractive little posies.
DeleteSo amazing and what a surprise! The colours are stunning and you're right so appropriate for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteWe've had The Turn, the weather is colder and the trees are starting to show their autumn colours. It's been a beautiful September here and October is shaping up to be spectacular.
That's it, I think I should try growing sweet peas. xo
Hello DaniBP,
DeleteDo please give sweet pea growing a go next spring for I am certain you too will revel in your successes and be filling your vases throughout the season. Oh, and don't forget, they smell heavenly - what a bonus!
No sign of autumn around here today. We are finally seeing some heat and I believe today may have been the hottest day of the year, hitting the low 90 degree Fahrenheit range. Indian summer has arrived.
Enjoy the turning of the season.
Nature does color best. Like a Dutch still life, simply glorious. In NYC, summer paused late this week and the heat and the humidity have been replaced by cool breezes, bright skies. Because of the drought here, the leaves are turning brown and falling early in the season. Thanks for the post, inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHello truth in fashion,
DeleteThank you for the kind words and how right you are when you write "Nature does color best". She can certainly give any Dutch still life a run for its money.
I had no idea New York is in the midst of a drought. As you might already know, California has suffered terribly with only light relief this past winter from El Niño's rains.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for rain on both coasts this winter.
Enjoy the leaf falling season.
Hello CD, It's 95 degrees as I write this; Autumn is not so much a season here as a turning off of the oven of Summer. I think your earlier post on the sweet peas encouraged this later bloom. Some flowers like to be talked to; yours apparently enjoy being written about.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim,
Delete"Turning off the oven of summer", oh dear. I think I would melt if I lived in constant oppressive heat. As I wrote to DaniBP in my comment, we have entered our annual two week spell known as Indian Summer and for the first time this year, we felt the heat quite intensely as the mercury climbed into the low 90's.
I had a good chuckle over your comment on talking to flowers. Reminded me instantly of Prince Charles. Perhaps that is why his own gardens look pristine. I might just have to adopt such tactics with my own little plot.
We had the turn in London but now I am in Korea and while the leaves have turned it is still so hot!
ReplyDeleteHello Naomi,
DeleteWell, you do manage to get about don't you! Enjoy your visit to Korea and I look forward to reading about your adventures upon your return.
They look absolutely perfect in that basalt ware vase. How lucky you are to have them flowering so well and for so long. I planted sweet peas in spring last year, but got not one flower from them until Autumn. Overall a total disappointment. Our Summers are too hot for them to flower, so they sulked until the last. Such a shame. I can only imagine how fragrant they are too - the heritage ones definitely have the best scent.
ReplyDeleteHello Heidi,
DeleteWhy, thank you! Somehow, I always gravitate to placing little posies in the assorted black basalt vessels that litter my cupboards, especially when the bloom colors are so vibrant.
Sweet peas do prefer cooler climes, especially as they are establishing their roots, so plant as early as you can and keep your fingers crossed.
CD,
ReplyDeleteThis is timely as I'm attempting something I've read about for years...I'm sowing my sweet pea seeds in late October. I've read that in areas where there is no frost and the winters are mile, which describes my region, the seeds will develop a strong root base and be hearty and large when they do poke through the ground. Wish me luck! Your blooms are beautiful. It was the very thing I had hoped for this year and it never produced as many blooms as promised. :-(
Karen
Hello Karen,
DeleteYes, yes, yes, plant your seeds in October for all the reasons you state. You should have some lovely flowers by Easter with a bit of luck. I amend the soil with chicken manure before planting, soak the seeds overnight and chip their hard coating right before placing them into the soil.
I do wish you the very best of luck and look forward to reading all about your abundant harvest in the spring. Oh, and don't forget, the more you pick, the more it encourages the plants to send forth more beautiful blooms.
I wonder how they achieved that checkerboard effect on the black basalt back in the day?
ReplyDeleteVery good question, GSL. Would you believe, I've considered doing a blog on the technique and your inquiring mind has prompted me to do just that. Please, do stay tuned.
DeletePerfect timing! I am dying for some sweet peas and was just going to ask you when to plant. Beautiful sweet smelling cover crop, here I come! Love the way the flowers look in that vase - am so tempted to acquire some black basalt, but I can't figure out where it would fit in my house.
DeleteI always plant sweet peas early in the spring but autumn (in your area) is ideal, at least as soon as it cools down a little. Perhaps wait until Halloween which should be nice and crisp one hopes.
DeleteAs for being bitten by the black basalt bug, I'm a hopeless case and would definitely find a place for an additional piece were I so fortunate as to come across one.
Perhaps you could start your collection with some bowls and use those at the dinner table or as a receptacle for displaying fruit? Persimmons would look especially nice at this time of year.
Oh, Yes, She's a-comin'! COOL days and nights for the past few, though there WAS a surge of frenetic heat the past weekend, I hear. We were in Michigan for a perfect weekend, and missed the tropical blast as it hit our area.
ReplyDeleteThose are absolutely charming and lovely---you mention sugared almond pink---I always think of the wonderful Italian weddings down in Mississippi, where the bags of Jordan almonds are de rigueur for weddings, and are always called "confetti." Which is, by the way, what all these luscious petals resemble. You could toss those at any happy bride and groom, to ensure felicity and love.
Our outdoor plants are winding down, even the clumps of daisies around the hosta beds. They're all thinking it's time to snug in for the nonce, and come back with renewed vigor in the Spring.
I'm ready for some leaf-turning, and the air says SOON.
Hope you're enjoying the FALL, as well.
r
Hello racheld,
DeleteI'd never thought that sweet peas looked like confetti until you mentioned it. How wonderful would it be to have these tossed at the newly married couple rather than traditional confetti.
What beautiful colours. I'm used to seeing them in pale pink and mauve. The jewel tones are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen Lawrence. This is an heirloom mix (Old Spice) of seeds that were popular from 1901 to 1907 and I'm so pleased with both their colors and vigorous growth that they'll certainly make an appearance in next year's garden. You just don't see these rich colors in modern varieties, to say nothing of their aroma.
Delete