Late Bloomers

We've had some wet, dreary weather the last few days that feels more like November than October, and consequently I've been more inclined to stay inside and knit than get out in the garden and start tackling my very long to-do list. I did go out today to check things out and was surprised to find some new blooms.

The first I noticed were a couple of purple flowers on the Vigna caracalla (snail shell vine) that I planted about 3 or 4 months ago. It was very slow-growing at first, but then it really took off at the end of the summer. It only has a few blooms now--two fully open flowers and several of the twisting, snail-like buds. The Sunset Garden Books says it's perennial and that it should be cut to the ground when frost gets to it. It always makes me nervous to cut things back that hard, but I'll try it and see how it comes back next year.

Also in bloom is a gorgeous pink Watsonia that I got in my class last semester. My instructor brought many divisions of a plant from her yard and offered them to anyone in the class who wanted them. I wasn't sure what color it would turn out to be, but I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

And the Roma pole beans I planted about two months ago are growing vigorously and flowering. I think I'm still at least two weeks away from being able to harvest any beans but it's good to see things headed in the right direction.