Colors in the garden

The leaves of this Acer j. 'Aconitifolium' have dropped and the cool days of November are upon us.  November can be so gray and bleak in New England.  This past weekend was leaf raking weekend and so the garlic remains as yet unplanted and the beds untidied.  The bulk of the leaves have been carted to the compost piles but the windy day left the lawn littered yet again with scattered spots of oak leaves. The statuary needs to be put away as cement does not fair very well with the freezing temperatures of New England. 
This birdbath will freeze over if left and Buddha must spend the winter in the shed.  Mickey Mouse was a favorite of my dear Aunty Hope who passed away this year. 
He needs his own garden but what would you put in a Mickey Mouse garden?  He sits among the hellebores currently but they are a bit over his head.
There are various bits and pieces lying here and there and also some remaining containers which must be put away.  I never realized that the Elephant Ear is so cold hardy.  We have had quite cool temperatures here and even a bit of snow but this Elephant Ear
has not succumbed and will be moved, hopefully this weekend, to the basement.  Under lights of course. It seems impossibly green in this ever browning landscape.  Are you snuggling under for the season or is it in full throttle in your area?

Comments

[Gail]

Dear Layanee, What a lovely photo of your aunt...These dear people stay with us forever. I like Mickey among the helebores...but he might like some fun flowers to hang out with! gail

[eliz]

Great photos! It hasn't been cold enough here to wilt the colacasia either. But November is just the saddest month, I agree.

[Phillip]

I love the little Japanese maple. Putting away containers is one of my least favorite chores. That is a beautiful photo of your aunt.

[Ingela]

It's nice to read and of course watch your lovely photos from your side of the world. And I can say your photos are hardly grey and bleak :) In Sweden the autumn is soon passing over to winter, it's said it will snow later on this week. And once again the light will return! Snow is a wonderful way to lighten up.
/ ingela

[Lisa at Greeenbow]

Elephant Ears are amazing. I love the way they look when backlit. Mickey would look cute in a spot with colorful flowers. Like in a cutting garden. If he is too short maybe he could stand on the end of a bench or on a pedestal. Your Aunt looks like a dear all dressed-up for a garden party. What a lovely memory in this photo.

[gardenfaerie.blogspot.com]

I'm sorry to hear your aunt passed away--she looks so happy in the garden. I moved my elephant ears in a good month ago! :)

[Pete]

if your readers are looking for more information on USDA plant hardiness zones, there is a detailed, interactive USDA plant hardiness zone map at http://www.plantmaps.com/usda_hardiness_zone_map.php

[Sharon]

Beautiful Beloved Auntie Hope, miss her so.
Thank you for posting that amazing picture of her. It is now part of our family wall.
Love you,
Sharon XO

[Blackswampgirl Kim]

Sorry about the loss of your aunt--she looks like she was a real sweetheart.

Count me among those who kind of likes Mickey amongst the hellebores. But wouldn't it be nice to have him amongst a bright red-and-white combination reminiscent of Minnie's dotted dress? (Something like 'Cherry Parfait' maybe?) For some reason, I think that your aunt might get a kick out of that.

[Cindy, MCOK]

Layanee, I have just the plant to share with you for your Mickey Mouse garden: Xanthosoma albomarginata, Mickey Mouse Taro! I'll save a division for you to plant in Aunt Hope's memory. That's a wonderful picture of her: she looks like someone we'd all enjoy knowing!

[Tim]

Mickey is a wonderful reminder for us all to not allow our gardening to become too serious! The photos are wonderful! November hardly looks sad or bleak in your garden!

[Jean]

I love your Mickey but don't remember seeing it when we were there! He looks happy with the hellebores but it does seem like he should have a dedicated garden. Lovely photo of your aunt. Also that stunning maple at the top. I'm actually looking forward to a freeze so I can stop gardening. But I still have a lot to do to get ready. Arg!

[kerri]

What a beautiful photo of your dear Aunt Hope - a lovely way to remember her - surrounded by the beauty of the garden.
I like Kim's idea of red and white for Mickey's garden. I'm picturing him surrounded by zinnias. Not sure about the white. Cosmos perhaps? Shasta Daisies?
Love that Japanese Maple. Beautiful coloring! And ditto on the Elephants Ear. Impossibly green is a perfect description.

[Jean]

what a great picture of Aunty Hope. I'm sure she enriched your world.