Unusual weather remains the topic of conversation in our neck of the woods. We continue to have heavy rains and, after chilly early-month temperatures, we've had a revisit of summer-like heat and humidity. Fall foliage has yet to blast in with its usual color. Salty tropical storm rains from Irene turned many tree leaves brown causing an early leaf drop. Leaves that remained have been slow to turn and, so far, show less brilliant color than Connecticut-living leaf watchers expect.

My south-central Connecticut gardens escaped the early light frosts that hit more northern gardens in the state.  But rains have limited photo-taking opportunities so, instead of grabbing a few last minute shots for this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I offer a few photos taken since October's start.

This year nasturtium put on the best show I've ever seen. These photos are from early October but they look just as good now.

Usually aphids cover my nasturtium plantings by mid-summer causing me to cut them back and hope for a bit of late-season bloom.

This year I've not seen one aphid and nasturtium had a hey-day. The two photos above show Nasturtium 'Alaska Mix' grown from seed from Renee's Garden. Below is Nasturtium 'Moonlight' from Pinetree Garden Seeds. Both varieties will have encore performances in my gardens in future years.

They have never looked this healthy and vibrant this late. What a treat!

I managed to thwart sunflower seedling-eating squirrels this year by hiding a couple of sunflower (Helanthus debilis 'Vanilla Ice') transplants behind other plants. Even chipmunks left the blossoms alone, likely because they were so full from eating tomatoes. Here's an early October shot of my reward.

One Star Rose (Mystic Meidiland 'Meialate') continues to offer up a show, looking nearly as fresh now as it did at the start of the month.

Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) are by far the showiest, longest blooming annual in this year's late-season garden. They looked like this on October 11.

They looked just as nice late last night after a day of heavy downpours.

Warmth-loving moonflower vines (Ipomea Alba) keep offering stunning blooms on nighttime strolls. This late in the season every moonflower bloom that opens is a special treat to be savored.

Now, to see how other gardens look this October, visit May Dreams Gardens where, at Carol's invitation, garden bloggers from across the globe share the beauty of their gardens.

Enjoy the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day party and garden thoughtfully.

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