Chickadee Gardens

Autumnal rains have not returned as of yet, at least not with any vigor. It is rather dry and crunchy out there, but mild, with a lovely extended summer vibe. Not quite wet and cool enough to move or install plants, but that's coming soon. Removing dead plants, though? That can happen any time. It's sad when an established shrub or tree has to go but that's what crept up on me. First though, a joyful look at the garden in early October. In 2018 when our dear kitty Lucy departed this planet we bought a special tree to commemorate her spirit, a unique and lovely one. This is  Franklinia alatamaha, the Franklin tree. It was discovered in Georgia in 1765, the only place it has ever been observed in the wild and seed was then collected. The original wild stand of trees have been extinct since 1803 - all trees in cultivation now come from those original seeds collected in the 18th century. It is special in that it's rare, yes, but also because it blooms in late summer into au