Bananas amongst the autumn colors

Fall came quickly this year. This time last week there was color but there were oceans of green. Al of a sudden last Friday the existing colors resolved and deepened and what had been green became all of a sudden colorful. By Sunday we had crested the pinnacle and were slipping towards the solstice. It'll continue to be beautiful for a week or two but winter is coming.

Fall perennials (and one camellia) in the "Asian Collections US National Arboretum

From the top: Aster tataricus 'Jindai' (2), Camellia sasanqua 'Agnes O Solomon', Collinsonia japonica, Dendranthema 'Sheffield', Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki', Salvia glabrescens 'Shi-ho', Impatiens omeiana

Got back Thursday after a 3 week furlough. It was mighty dry three weeks ago but in the interim we had a four day 6 inch rain and life is good. I know the camellias are spectacular and I love the scents of elaeagnus and osmanthus, but I invariably underestimate the fall perennials. There are always more of them more beautiful than I remember.

It's good to be back. I had a hip replacement earlier this summer so I've actually been gone from the garden tor two rather lengthy periods this year. I hope not to repeat either experience (the surgery or the furlough). The surgery was a great success, so it was worth it. Not so sure about the furlough.