We’ve had half an inch of rain and the land is rejoicing. (Yes, there is also flooding, as predicted) And it’s been possible to venture out into the garden today without getting sweated out. It has become possible to see the garden again and to look beyond whatever is wilting and crying out for help.
After all that heat and dry, the garden is looking rather prematurely autumnal and slightly battered. Flowers which are ordinarily still resplendent are going to seed.
Veronicastrum, should be looking like this, but –
Are looking, sadly, like this. The bees still seem to like them. They have no sense of aesthetics.
And other things are going to seed anyway, because that’s what they do right now.
Cardoons transforming themselves into powerful weapons….
So my thoughts turn to Piet Oudolf’s claim that “In a natural garden everything should be allowed to finish flowering, not simply to please butterflies and birds, but also because plants in decline can be beautiful.” Page 120 in ‘After Flowering’ in Dream Plants for the Natural Garden
So I went round the garden checking this out. And some plants are. And some plants aren’t.
This truly IS beautiful?
This (Clerodendron bungei) a bit less so? Bit manky?
But I think we have a small stumbling block, which is that we are not generally fond of brown in a garden. Plants going to seed often go brown. I have a friend whose school uniform was brown and she doesn’t like brown anywhere. Most of us just enjoy other colours more.
Perhaps it’s from a distance that brown looks dreary though, because close up it can be very special. As Piet and Henk Gerritsen demonstrate better than I can: see Dream Plants for the Natural Garden again. (I have a signed copy! And better, I also have this – and this is boasting) (shameful) (he was probably just being polite) =
Forgive me – I think this has been the highlight of my horticultural career.
Glorious browns in Dream Plants for the Natural Garden
So this is a plea for us to begin to admire and seek out brown.
No idea what it is, but isn’t it wonderful?
And more brown:
Not bad, but see on the left – it’s not going to disintegrate nicely….
What we are now begining to see is form. Shapes and textures. That takes us beyond brown.
I can’t remember what this is but it’s gorgeous.
A geranium, maybe?
No idea, but they aren’t brown..
Seems quite a few are green
One thing I find problematic is that they’re not all beautiful, (sorry Piet) but if I want a plant to seed I have to leave it to do that.
Valerian, going to seed. Not very beautiful, but I want those seeds seeding!
I don’t think these foxgloves add much to the scene – but I can’t have too many foxgloves, so they need to stay.
I need these too = Epilobium angustifolium Stahl Rose
I want these seeds too. This is another willow herb – the white one.
So – are seed heads worth waiting for?? What do you think?
Great variety and photos. Can you identify the “truly beautiful” one? I’d vote for it!
A clematis – not sure which one!
You have a great sense of humor about it all! And yes, the seeds are definitely worth waiting for. You still have a lovely garden.
Thank you. Xx
You left out teasels! And honesty! And phlomis!
I’m coming to love seedheads more and more, though they’re not for the trypophobic.
Sorry……
Would they be ok without those damn insects that everyone love so much?
Here’s a seedhead I love. Also, I am trying to remember the title of a book I have that had a section on the subject of attractive seedheads. If and when I find it, I’ll try to remember and post it here. I don’t see how to post my own photo so hopefully I can post a link to the plant: https://www.plant-world-seeds.com/store/view_seed_item/774?actionName=flower_seed_categories&itemname=IRIS%20FOETIDISSIMA%20&fbclid=IwAR0FUpFJFSKkNzPNkpQSvFpK0CJlsJb6bV7voxbvDN6GjjkIasmrcdwv8BM
Iris foetidissima is its scientific name
Yes – that’s a glorious one. And I missed out rose hips completely! (That reminded me)
Pity we can’t post photos in here but your link works to a great photo.
Common name is Welsh Gladwyn for the Iris foetdissima above. I don’t know where this will post since I’m replying to my own reply.
We saw it!
But (here in Wales) it could be the roast beef plant, adder’s meat, coral fruit Iris, gladden and gladwyn, among many others. However it is most commonly known as Stinking Iris. Good job we have Latin names so we can be sure about what we’re dealing with!
Anne, thank you. Glad I came back to check. My grandfather immigrated to the US from Wales in 1913 so I’m interested in Welsh things.I love all those names, and I’ve never noticed the stink. Yes, Latin names are the best. It blooms with a purple flower that I’ve never smelled.
I pretend to enjoy them, but seed heads will never replace flowers! xxx
Whoever said we can’t have both???!!
Except they literally do!
Some seed heads are fine and attractive. Some are attractive but I’m going to cut them off anyway because I really don’t want that plant reseeding in that spot. I’ve paid the price too often for my laziness in not keeping up with removal
Unless I put out seeds, the only time I get to see goldfinches is when the coneflowers and black-eyed susans go to seed. Those birds love them. But perhaps seed heads look a lot more beautiful in the wintertime!
Well the finches will look beautiful however you feed them.
Milk weed pods are one of the worst for sending out seeds, but we like the plants for Monarch butterflies. Cut them off!!!
My favorite seed head has to be mountain mint. I hope this link works. If you scroll down to the 14th picture (sorry!), you will see it in all of its architectural glory. I cut some of the stiff stalks in the spring and spray paint them and stick them into my front pots of pansies. So very pretty. https://tuesdaysinthetallgrass.wordpress.com/tag/mountain-mint/
Very nice, Susan!
– Pycnanthemum Pilosum ? Looks good….
Susan, thanks for that link. I really enjoy late fall and wintery scenery.
I enjoy seedheads, as you do, so long as they have either good form or a purpose to fulfill. I am particularly fond of Phlomis fruticosa and Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundleflower) and Lablab purpureus (purple hyacinth bean). Every time the garden gets you down, go open that wonderful book!
Sorry…love self seeders, even some I didn’t plant. Awkward is just what I am.
seeds are magic–a whole plant from such a tiny speck! I love to deadhead and have never had any flower/plant owner object, but I suppose one could if they thought I was carelessly scattering my find. My only problem is too many seeds for my small garden
I guess that’s why I love self seeders and lots of people (see above) don’t. Two acres takes a lot of plants to fill, and if there weren’t a good bit of repetition it would look horribly bitty. A matter of scale?
But – I also mulch a lot, so self seeding is very limited.
I love to see things going to seed, unless they’re hard-to-remove weeds. I have so little under control in the garden, I can use all the help I can get in spreading the good stuff.
Good to hear this!
Hello – the photo labeled “No idea what it is, but isn’t it wonderful?” is two daylily pods. Each seed has unique genetics, plant them and see the results in a couple years depending on how far north one lives…
Thanks for this. What you’d lose if you deadheaded! Worth growing just for the seedheads. Might try sowing the seeds this year then.
I planted prairie smoke geum for the fabulous Troll doll wisps that appear after the understated pink blooms. Absolutely delightful. Allium and radish are also quite charming when gone to seed, and I know a garden blogger made a lovely wreath out of kale seed pods.
Kale wreath for those who are interested: https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/a-diy-wreath-you-wont-believe-what-its-made-of/
That Geum is amazing!
What a lovely post! I’m so glad you showed off your autographed book–I have a small collection of autographed garden books myself but I’m afraid most people don’t get why I find it so exciting.
I LOVE seedheads but I think part of it is how much I like starting seeds! I love to start self-collected seeds indoors and watch them grow. I’m hoping to have enough native seedlings to sell on to neighbors next year to fund more garden purchases.
And you only gave me one link to follow this time?! OK I missed a plant link… good thing there were people putting links in the comments or I’d feel like I’d lost out.
Anyone who hadn’t heard of Piet Oudolf would definitely find me weird! Thanks for commenting on that – I have taken the Big Silence about it as a sort of reproach….
Sorry about links. No Charles either…
I came back to say that I own the wrong book! I’m halfway through “Planting the Natural Garden” but I guess I ALSO need to find a cheap copy of “Dream Plants for the Natural Garden.” Mission accepted!
Although I’m annoyed none of the plants have native range/origin listed. I know that’s not as much a thing in some countries but it IS a thing here so I’ve been trying!
Whoops – I think those books are practically identical? So check that out before spending any money?!
That native plants thing seems so bizarre from this side of the pond. Might have been a thing if the Romans or their predecessors had bothered to think about it, I suppose. Good luck with it!
Flipping through the second half of my book I don’t see the EXACT pictures you posted but there is a section called “Gloomy?” and another called “Autumn.” So I think I’m covered.
Doug Tallamy will be speaking an hour away on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. I think getting his book autographed will be a lovely way to start the new year.
Good to have signed books!
One more entry since I’m here. Another one that I like is Northern sea oats aka Chasmanthium latifolium. Distinctive, flat seed heads. It does reseed and I love collecting bunches to put into vases. https://www.growjoy.com/store/pc/Chasmanthium-Latifolium-Plant-Northern-Sea-Oats-Grass-p8430.htm
These sites could make for great conversation – except that we have evolved a ‘one comment’ sort of system. Shame. Glad you came back and yes, I’ve had Chasmanthium latifolium. Great plant. Where on earth did it vanish to?!!
I just got that too! Although I was too lazy to plant it in the garden so it’s just two little plants in a pot. Perhaps I’ll gather seed from elsewhere and sprinkle it around.
Sprinkling is so easy and just might work!
The drought and heat with resultant premature bloom/seedheads definitely are making my garden very drab and sad this year, but in general I’m a big fan of leaving seed heads! Both for the wildlife but also for my Darwinian + native gardening style: good plants that reseed themselves are so valuable. Combined with No-Mow May, we discover fun gifts throughout the yard and garden each year. Watching the chickadees and goldfinches snacking in the wildflowers is an unmatched joy.
That sounds good.
Wow, I’d sure show off that book autograph and compliment if I had it. What a thrill! I like seedheads. I don’t leave as many plants standing (or slumping) all winter in public gardens I care for as I do in my own garden because…the public doesn’t get it, at least not in the small tourist towns where I work. So I slowly take plants down as they decline…and do a pretty big clean up in late November when I just want to start my staycation. My own garden gets left standing except for the slimy bits until early February, when I have to get it ready for spring before I start work again. When I finally cut all the herbaceous plants back, I’m very ready to see it start over.
Thank you for reassurance about my showing off!
And maybe we will change public perception in the end. Stranger things have happened.