My goodness, what a difference a week makes in the garden. Early this week we experienced the first snowstorm at the Ranch. Nearly 4 inches of the fluffy white stuff fell which, in and of itself, did not kill everything in the garden. But the two nights of frost at the beginning of the week pretty much made many trees dropped their leaves let alone, had flowers pretty much gave up the ghost and say, “I’m outa here.”
Lest you think the mountain high desert otherwise known as Denver is without any autumnal beauty, you’d be mistaken. Colorado is well-known for its bright golden Aspens but there are other plants with bright foliage color more associated with Eastern US landscapes. Native to Northeast Asia, Japan and central China, right now one such plant is taking center stage. Dwarf Burning Bush is often thought of as an invasive species, especially east of the Mississippi due to more than adequate rainfall which makes for easy seed dispersal and naturalization. With Colorado’s general lack of water, invasiveness isn’t much of an issue. Eastern US State Extensions bureaus however often suggest eradication. Widely available throughout the US and it is especially popular here in the Centennial State.
Dwarf Burning Bush (which isn’t all that dwarf actually) requires moderate water, full sun, and ample room to grow. Pruning is not necessary and flowers are mostly inconspicuous to non-existent. They are most noted for their show-stopping flame red color in autumn.
We hope this week’s entry in Rosy and her brothers’ blog hop provides you with an appreciation for all things autumnal. Have a great weekend. We hope you have warm and sunny conditions like we plan to enjoy. After teens and low twenty’s early in the week, no doubt there will be some leisure strolling through crunchy leaves in near 70’s temperatures. Whatever you do, we hope your weekend is pawsome.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
I didn’t know this was considered invasive here in the East. However, we did have a different variety in this same group (euonymous) at our old house, and it grew up the side of the house and pretty much took over! We had to cut it down before it popped off our shutters. We’ve had barberry bushes that I was also surprised when someone told me they were invasive. They are so pretty! However, when they flower in the spring, the flowers are really bad smelling (I say they smell like a dirty dishrag!).
That’s really interesting. Most people trim up barberry bushes here to resemble golf balls which makes me sad. It’s so unnatural. Dishrag scent is not one of Mother Nature’s finer odors.
We had snow too!
3 bum swings! 3 more!
None of it stayed thank dog 😉
Pawfectly beautiful bush.
💜 nose nudges 💜
I’m was grateful no shoveling was required 😊
It has been a crazy fall this year! Love your Burning Bush!
Thanks. It sure casts a striking pose in any garden
We like your burning bush. We do like the autumn colors but not big fans of the leaves falling. Mom says it makes it hard to see our poops to clean up
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Seems to be hard for peeps walking by to pick up their dog’s poops too. I found 2 this week near the sidewalk. 💩
I love learning! Especially about plants … I am so clueless.
Thanks. Happy to share what little I know about gardens.
What an awesome burning bush. So very colourful.
Jean
It truly looks like it’s on fire 🔥
Love that Burning Bush!! WOW it is gorgeous Monika! Our weather has been crazy yo-yo too! Hail; wet snow; windy & chilly then warmish & then back to wet wet wet….Sun peeps out for 15 minutes if we are lucky!! When it is dry I put BellaDharma out in condo…I doubt she will be a ‘winter condo kitty’!!! Hehehe…
((hugs)) Sherri-Ellen
I heard today our state is supposed to experience a “minor” El Niño year so I’m sure things will get even crazier weather wise. 😲
Been wild here the last few days – rain, cold and high winds. So much so that the police issued a warning and a road alert for serious dust storms on the Lincoln Highway. Again, a side swipe for us and Adelaide got it bad with powerlines and trees brought down – much damage I believe. Up here in this part of town – not enought to cause a dust storm but enough to whip it painfully into your face if you decide to go out. Today, however, no wind, no rain, no clouds and a temperature of 32c – go figure!
Have to admit that spring is my favorite season, but fall in Colorado is pretty amazing!
Autumn in Colorado is hard to beat.
We have a burning bush here too, but it doesn’t get enough sun to “burn” very much. The leaves on most of the trees here are finally starting to get some color since we have cool nights and some sunny days.
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
So the Dwarf Burning Bush is a naturalized plant, huh? No deportation in its future. Glad your temps have once again warmed back to “I only want to be outside” weather.
It can naturalize in wet climates I’m told but I’ve never seen that happen here. It’s absolutely gorgeous today. 🌞
I love the fall colors, but I love that burning bush.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
It is really striking!
Beautiful color arrangement!
I have a Burning bush myself and it is slow to colour Mine’s still half green!
And I guess I’m lucky because it is not invasive at all…
I actually wondered about the accuracy of the so-called invasiveness that was mentioned in a page I found when researching this gorgeous plant. And when they’re red AND green, they are especially gorgeous. Color me jealous. Happy weekend. Hope you’re ready for Pronouns the Musical. 🎶😇
I shall snap a pic tomorrow!
And yes, I am absolutely ready… Will probably still be up at 1 am 1😉
Ooh, can’t wait. Being in the Mountain time zone, my response will be somewhat delayed. ⏰
No worries.
Wow! That color red is succulent! And you’re right about the golden flavor of the landscape in the Rocky Mountains. Those shots could hang in an art gallery.
With our cornflower blue skies, it’s always a strikingly beautiful scene. Happy weekend!
Cornflower blue, I love it.
Happy Weekend back atcha!!
You just may find yourself with one for WW 😉
Booyah!
the dwarf burning bush is beautiful… I wish fall would last much much longer, although this year it is no real fall … too much sun…
It’s our favorite season and wished it lasted longer too. But there have bee crazy yo-yo temperatures this month. From 90 to mid-teens, it’s been wild.