Topic: Thinking ahead to NEXT Fall's garden colors...

[GrannieAnnie]

http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/fall-fireworks.aspx

This on-line gardening magazine shows some beautiful combinations I would not have thought to try, but might next year. If we can foil the  hungry deer somehow.

[1066]

It's something I really need to spend some time and effort on - my garden! And how the plants look together. The allotment has taken over so much of my time. Plus I have a few of the plants they used, so need to get my thinking cap on!

BTW - did the photos look photoshoped to you? Like pictures of the plants taken separately and then formated in photoshop (except the last one) or am I being truly cynical?

[GrannieAnnie]

BTW - did the photos look photoshoped to you? Like pictures of the plants taken separately and then formated in photoshop (except the last one) or am I being truly cynical?

Now that you mention it, the 3rd pix with the purple barbary looks photoshopped.
The first one looks like they might have taken pots and grouped them together.

[1066]

Didn't think of them using plants in pots. Doh!

Lovely colours all the same  :)

[tim]

Just great, Grannie(y) - but how do they read across to the uK?

[GrannieAnnie]

Just great, Grannie(y) - but how do they read across to the uK?

I can think of a cheeky answer.  But you have quite a variety of zones all the way to that tropical area that has the warm gulf stream, so probably some of you could manage it fine.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I think the lowlands are about Zone 8, though I don't know what the Highlands or Scilly would be. Overall, spring in Cornwall is about a month ahead of the north of Scotland.

[GrannieAnnie]

I think the lowlands are about Zone 8, though I don't know what the Highlands or Scilly would be. Overall, spring in Cornwall is about a month ahead of the north of Scotland.

A month's difference!  We're 5-7 here. I was surprised to see you are up to Zone 8!  Just for fun I looked up Alaska-  Alaska runs from Zone 1 to a few islands at same range as Delaware.

[Robert_Brenchley]

US climate zones don't mean anything to me, but that's what I've been told. Is 5-7 warmer or colder? I'm not sure how you can compare a maritime climate with that of the continental interior.

One of my bee books has a useful map showing how spring progresses up the country, and it puts the north coast of Scotland five weeks behind Cornwall. Knowing both areas, I have no trouble believing it.

[GrannieAnnie]

US climate zones don't mean anything to me, but that's what I've been told. Is 5-7 warmer or colder? I'm not sure how you can compare a maritime climate with that of the continental interior.

One of my bee books has a useful map showing how spring progresses up the country, and it puts the north coast of Scotland five weeks behind Cornwall. Knowing both areas, I have no trouble believing it.

http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/treeshrubbasics/tp/worldhardinesszones.htm
The higher the number the warmer the climate. The above site shows planting zones around the world. I'm sure they are just an approximation and one can "push the limits" by creating some micro-climates with walls etc.

[Robert_Brenchley]

That confirms that we're zone 8, though our annual minimum temperature is a lot higher than they suggest. We do have long wet winters.