October is here and Fall is in the air...even in Arizona!

Fall has definitely arrived in Arizona, even though the afternoon temps are still very warm, the nights are getting cool, and my garden is changing with the season. My pink roses are blooming again. This rose bush was here when I bought my home and they are real reliable. I tried a few "bare-root" roses before I learned they are not suitable for my climate, but the couple that lived rarely put out any blooms.

I had a couple surprises this last week, that were completely unexpected. My purple sweet potato vine bloomed! I didn't even know these flowered- having bought it for the pretty purple leaves. I was pleasantly surprised to discover they do bloom.

Here is a picture of the vine- pretty without flowers too.

I have yucca plants (at least I think they are yuccas) at the front of my flower bed beneath the big olive tree- and I can't recall ever seeing them bloom before- until this year. Only one put out flowers but they are so beautiful. I wish I could get up close and see if they smell, but the tops of these yucca are not within my reach.

Here is a picture of how they look from a distance- they seem to stand guard over the bed behind them. I need to get in there and trim the dead leaves- another job for another day!

And on the other side of the bed, is this little palm. It was actually in a pot when I bought my home, and my son planted it in the ground. It has since gotten quite large and I am thinking I might need to dig it up and plant in a bigger area. Does anyone know what kind it is, and how big it will get?


Happy October and Happy Saturday! I am heading off to Kansas City for a few days for my job. Hope it isn't too cold there for these used to Arizona bones!