It’s been one year and five days since I’ve posted and a lot has changed in the garden (and just about every where else in this mixed up crazy world).

One thing that hasn’t changed, and is particularly comforting, is the reliability of fall color — especially appreciated on late October day when afternoon temps reached 60 degrees and the early evening coppery sun, suspended low in the sky to the west of Vashon Island, was slowly descending from above the Olympic mountains as twilight neared.

Cotinus obovatus (Smoke Bush)

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ (Dwarf Cranberry Bush)

Hydragea quercifolia ‘Sikes Dwarf’ (Oakleaf Hydrangea)

Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon’s Seal)

Dwarf pumpkin flower on a late season trailing vine