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Title : An Urban Condo Garden, Rooftop-Style, in November. . . .
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An Urban Condo Garden, Rooftop-Style, in November. . . .

 Shall we take a quick tour of my Fall Garden? The photos were taken over the past three or four weeks, as the days got shorter and colder -- that Japanese maple above was golden around the 20th of October, but almost bare-leaved now.

Similarly, the Physocarpus (opulifolius, Amber Jubilee), below, is now completely bare. It's one of the shrubs we added to the container plants left by the former owners. We chose the new shrubs with an eye to year-round interest. Besides its fall colour, Physocarpus' common name, Nine-bark, indicates its winter attraction, a textured, peeling bark that I like very much. We had a variety in our previous garden, so for me the continuity is another part of the appeal.

 Aren't the leaves pretty? Just a memory now, but they'll be back in the spring. . . .

 The other Japanese maple we were gifted by the previous owners has troubled us through late spring and summer. Gorgeous to watch leafing-out, and brilliant against the fall gloom, it was, however, spindly and bare in too many spots, and we wondered if it had been chosen very well given the lack of shade, the direct path of the sun across the terrace in the height of summer.  And those of you who are offended by the notion of "shovel-pruning" should look away now, but we did contemplate getting rid of this. Not so easy given that we're several storeys up, and the tree is ten feet high. . .

Instead, I've done some research, and I think the answer might be found in root-pruning. . . A rather daunting undertaking, to be honest. The pot is huge and heavy and getting soil out and back in is going to be a messy business. But Pater is willing to take this one on as a learning experience. We were all set to go for a fall attempt, just waiting for the leaves to fall, thinking that would make the process more manageable.

The knowledgeable fellow Pater spoke to at a local nursery the other day, though, says we've waited too long for a fall attempt -- it's true that we've already had frosty nights -- and would be better now to do the surgery in the spring. I'll admit that we're glad of the reprieve. . . .

Have any of you root-pruned a relatively large container shrub or tree? I'll admit that this is completely new territory for me, although we did have a few large-ish ornamental maples in containers in the last garden. The difference, I think was that we had much more room to find them a spot that closely suited their needs; the container-to-shrub ratio was much more generous, proportionally, so much more room before getting rootbound; and perhaps we just moved in time ;-)

 Meanwhile, the maple, quite glorious in October, is also nearly bare, its leaves writing splendid messages in scarlet calligraphy on the wooden bench nearby. . .

 We've enjoyed floral colour over the spring and summer in the garden, but I'm always drawn to leaf shape, texture, and colour as well.  I love everything about Corylopsis leaves -- love to sketch their charming patterns, those lines. . . .This one is Corylopsis Spicata 'Aurea' -- And doesn't this colour live up to the golden promise of its name? Another one that I photographed around October 20th, which is now completely bare. Very early in the spring, though, it will delight us with dainty yellow flowers. A true gem, one we've happily added to the garden we were left.

 We also added this Dogwood, Cornus sanguinea,  after admiring the stunning plantings at Van Dusen Gardens last February. Somewhere, I have the label that will remind me whether this is 'Midwinter Fire' or 'Winter Flame,' but whichever, we're looking forward to being warmed by its fiery stems. At the moment, it's still hanging on to most of its leaves, as is the snowberry across the way, while the apple tree (which gave us four little apples this first year!) just nearby still has a mix of green and yellow leaves.

 See those stems, already hinting at the heat their colour will build to as we move into winter. . .

 We bought several fuchsia plants late in the summer, wanting to extend the season's colour. Then we didn't get 'round to potting them on from the heavy plastic containers they were sold in, so had to water. And water. And water. . . .Finally, last week, Pater bought some new pots (we really like these somewhat pricier fiberglass ones, which are light enough to accommodate the challenges of rooftop gardening, but also look attractive).

 I like the way the fuchsia's growth pattern adds interest lower to the ground. Next year's garden plans include doing more with trailing plants, as much as with climbers. . . .

 A number of plants suffered with this year's abnormal weather patterns, especially when compounded by our travel absences as well, perhaps, as our learning curve with container gardening. One of the maples, particularly, suffered windburn and shrivelled on some of the hotter days (we turned it 'round, were more consistent and attentive in the watering, and it's recovered quite nicely).

This little wallflower was one I thought we might have lost. I was so grateful to have found it in the mix of plants left behind, because wallflowers were always a favourite of my dad's. But it was originally on the smaller balcony, much more exposed to sun and sheltered from any rainfall by the balcony above. By the time we came back from our spring travels, despite our daughter's best efforts, it looked better suited to the compost bin, to be honest. A few dried leaves left on some dessicated grey twigs. . .

But I moved it, and I cut it back, and I watered, and I watched. It's not a plant that likes to be over-watered, so I was attentive as well, trying to read what it was telling me. And I might have thought of Dad a bit and coaxed the plant to green up for him.

And look what it's up to now. . . In November!

Sweetest fragrance ever, and not just because I have to lean in so close to smell it that I can imagine Dad whispering in my ear. . .

Memories of summer. . . .

Whereas this is a more representative reflection (ha!) of today's weather, more in keeping with the season. . . . the fountain's been turned off, its basin catching the season's rainfall. . .

 I've been meaning to do this garden survey for weeks now, probably months tbh, and I still haven't told you how the grasses fared or showed you what's still very green (the laurel, of course, but also the clematis in its sheltered spot near the door). There are a few wistful blooms still climbing the hollyhock, the magnolia's fuzzy buds all sweetly revealed when its leaves fell almost simultaneously last week. We've been told we probably don't need to wrap the fig for winter; the hydrangea is moving seriously into its homely winter mode; and the herbaceous perennials have mostly been cut back and mulched. Next up, sarcococca's dainty fragrance and the heady aromatic blooms of the Daphne we're crossing our fingers for. . . .

Thank you so much for indulging me this Monday morning. I'm so buoyed by your presence out there, on the days when Blogging becomes a challenge. It's hard to understand why some folks skew toward nastiness, but I'm going to borrow these wise words from my friend Sue (Une Femme):

On A Personal Note

As a blogger, I’ve been lucky to not have received very many nasty comments over the years. I work hard to create and maintain a positive, upbeat space here, and I think that tends to discourage outright rudeness. I truly appreciate that you take the time to share your comments and welcome open discussion. That includes dissenting opinions and constructive feedback. And I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when assessing the intent behind negative remarks. But snotty, disparaging, uncivil, and antagonistic comments will be deleted. Full stop. Don’t have time for that.

Most of you are wonderful, supportive, interesting, generous readers, and I am enriched by the community we've built here. I'm not at all averse to constructive criticism (and see no reason why offering such couldn't be done with kindness), but bullying and meanness aren't my cup of tea.

Enough of that. Now to sit back and enjoy your chat about Mondays, gardens, November . . . all the good stuff. Bring it on!

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