Though the clocks fall back today, and for me it signifies the dark tunnel I must travel through to return to more favorable weather, the Gardens are glowing.
After days of wind and rain, I decided I couldn’t put off going into the Gardens any longer. It was a bit cumbersome holding an umbrella and trying to set the controls on my camera at the same time… but the rewards!
We are so lucky to be able to enjoy the splendor of fall in the heart of our city.
I posted this photo on our Facebook page and judging from the comments (and there were many), people love to walk in the rain, LOVE the Public Gardens and love fall. This photo captured all three.
Another advantage of taking photos in inclement weather, is that the colors shine even brighter. This Acer saccharum (Sugar maple tree) positively glowed!
Horticultural Hall decorated for fall.
A private affair.The gardeners made an arrangement outside their shed using Brassica oleracea (Ornamental Cabbage) and Asclepias physocarpus (which also has the naughty common name of Hairy balls). They did so for their own pleasure, which says a lot about their love (and talent) of all things horticultural.
No words are adequate or necessary to accompany this picture.
Gathering of the clans.
The urns have been emptied of their summer annuals and replaced with Brassica oleracea (Ornamental Cabbage) which unlike me, will only get better in the cold.
The rain stopped long enough to reward me with beautiful reflections on Griffin’s pond.
Some evergreen plants turn purple as a reaction to the cold (kind of like us). This purple-leaved Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’ (Weeping Purple beech tree) does the opposite. It went from purple to green, then orange.
Climbing roses and their vitamin C rich rose hips, by the Victoria Jubilee fountain.
Flora appears to be joining this colorful group on their walk through the Gardens.
Putting our money where our mouth is.
This new installation outside Horticultural Hall is long overdue. While the best things in life are free, we seldom value that which we don’t in some way pay for.
I know, we do pay for it thorough our tax dollars, but when money is tight the first things to get cut are non-essential items.
I have visited many gardens far and wide that I happily show my appreciation for with a donation into their donation box. Every little bit helps.
Along the Gardens path... 
We were in the Gardens Sunday afternoon and marveled at how splendid they are in every season. We also called our daughter-in-law in Ottawa to wish her “Happy Birthday” describing as we spoke the wonders of what we saw.
Today we have been able to send her a Birthday Tour of her special day as we here in Halifax were able to celebrate the Gardens on another of its special days.
Thank You for sharing,
Peter & Elizabeth
Bedford, N.S.
The Gardens are gorgeous at any time. It’s wonderful to know how much people value it. Thank you commenting and I hope your daughter-in-law enjoys her birthday and her tour.
Cheers,
Serena