Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2009October2

I was thrilled to find two or three of these hanging Chinese Lanterns growing at the Reader Rock Garden the other day. I have loved these for many years, but normally I never see them. "Popular for the papery bright-orange lantern pods that develop around the ripening fruit, these are often cut and used for Thanksgiving and Halloween arrangements. Plants are aggressive spreaders, and best kept out of the perennial border so they don't take over. Also can be grown in tubs. Small white flowers appear in midsummer, over a bushy mound of coarse green leaves. Pods are green at first, but should be harvested as soon as the orange colour develops, the leaves stripped then stems hung upside down to dry in a warm dark room." From www.perennials.com .

This beautiful, vivid yellow flower was growing in a friend's garden on 19th August. The shiny petals had an almost waxy look to them.

One of the very last Poppies at the Reader Rock Garden when I was there recently. I love Poppies in all their stages, including the white-haired buds. I find it fascinating to see how those gorgeous orange petals are so cleverly folded into that small space. And then I noticed the little Seven-spotted Ladybug tucked in there as well, surrounded by her luxurious "satin sheets" : )