While tomorrow is the autumn equinox, I am still reminded of the warm days of summer -vicariously through the flowers which still bloom beautifully this time of year.  Now, these are only a few I realize, and if you know of others, please do let me know so I may plant them next year. Flowers in late September and into October are heavenly – especially in Maine, where winters are long and dark and days grow shorter, quickly, this time of year…So, until the first frost comes (which may very well be tonight!), I will continue to enjoy these fall beauties…
I started them all from seed (some months and months ago).

Some direct sow and others by transplanting. For me, starting plants (vegetables + flowers) from seed is much more gratifying than buying ‘ready to plant’, plants. I know that is not the case for everyone, but for me, I like the challenge and then the pride that comes from harvesting your own…not to mention the taste! Rains and unfortunate circumstances thwarted some of my efforts, though in the end, there is plenty of color (and veggies) to go around…still.
Nasturtiums

(a South American trailing plant) have a lovely fullness this time of year…the bright green round leaves surround the flower itself – its’ vibrancy and softness, beautifully delicate – not to mention, they are edible and super sweet as tiny arrangements, bedside…

Sunflowers

(an American plant of the daisy family) who doesn’t like sunflowers? They must be the happiest flower around and while they are starting to droop and getting ready to go to seed, they are still incredibly fun to have around. Mine are 8th. generation – meaning I save seeds every year and plant the following year – these flowers (above) are from flowers eight years ago. I plan to do that with more flowers this year. My cosmos for instance,

while many are still blooming and thriving, may are also going to seed; most flowers are going to seed now too – time to collect…saving seeds is fairly easy. You just collect, dry (if necessary), and store in an airtight container and enjoy the following year.

This is a seed head for a cosmo plant. I simply picked it and the seeds fell into my hand. I’ll   leave them out a few days and seal away for the winter. Seeds for free!
Next are Zinnias

(an American plant of the daisy family). They are so brilliant. I don’t have as many as I’d like to have this year (last year was stellar), but I have enough to enjoy their rich colors all the same. Zinnias are a great cut flower too, they last for ages and they like to be cut – they keep sending out more buds, so cut away…and next to last,

marigolds

(also of the daisy family) – while they aren’t a flower I would normally include in ‘flowers I love’, they do add a richness to the garden at this time of year. They are in full bloom, bursting with color and triple the size they were only a few months ago – they add so much to a vegetable garden, especially when everything else seems to be getting a bit tired and the garden is ‘slowing’ down…though the colder varieties (of vegetables, that is) are just beginning again – beets,

spinach,

kale, lettuce

– I’m growing as long as I can – I truly miss being ‘self-sufficient’ (in terms of veggies) during the winter months – as well as the freedom to go out and cut flowers whenever a new arrangement is needed … perhaps a greenhouse is in order or some variation thereof…

Finally, Morning Glories

(a climbing plant cultivated for it’s trumpet shaped flowers) – they are overtaking the front of my house at the moment and that is just fine with me. Their long green tendrils grabbing and climbing – up and up, higher and higher until they reach the telephone wires – I love it! Go ahead, cover the front wall with your green and purple bursts of color throughout; this flower opens for only a short time and when it does, wow! I realize, soon it will be too cold for all these lovelies, but until then, I will continue to enjoy their scents, color and life…
So, while summer may be over, the beauty is not. Autumn here brings so much too – apple picking, pumpkin carving, cider drinking, hay rides and soup making – so until the last flower says night night, I will continue to enjoy all they have to give, because soon enough they will be gone, only to be replaced with nothingness; white, deep, snow…enjoy the color while it lasts…happy equinox.