Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
There are several new notables in today’s garden. The Swamp Sunflower has grown way up into the sky, reaching ten feet or more during the past couple of months. Today, the first full day of autumn, a few of the yellow flowers finally emerged. This Helianthus is a native plant but it can spread aggressively so I try careful to watch it closely.
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
This little yellow spider, perhaps a flower crab spider, may be the same one I saw a week ago on this Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower).
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
A white-flowerd Alyssum was a garden star last summer and fall but this Easter Bonnet Violet has been quite the opposite this year. Planted in late April, it is only now gaining some confidence.
Alyssum ‘Easter Bonnet Violet’
An unknown variety of Aster added to the garden when new, soon became unruly and spread so much I tried to remove it from the garden. It is defiant though and shows up year after year.
Aster sp.
Aster sp.
Salmon-hued Dianthus did well last year in the meditation circle. This year it did fine in spring, languished in summer and is now looking refreshed.
Dianthus
Dianthus
I came across an olive-green grasshopper standing firm and erect against an Echinacea stem and have tentatively identified it as a Differential grasshopper.
Differential grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis
pbmGarden 
You had me at the sunflower — then I saw the yellow spider — and then, the grasshopper. Beautiful photos of the autumn garden.
Thank you Kevin. Glad you enjoyed the pictures today. I went out to photograph the sunflower and found lots more than expected.
That is a very majestic grasshopper. I always know that it’s fall in Maine when the grasshoppers appear.
It did seem to strike a regal pose and didn’t flinch a bit at the camera. Hard to believe it’s fall already. Take care Carolyn.
I don’t think I ever even considered that there were different species of grasshopper, something to google this winter! Love the sunflower bloom, I don’t know how you got up there for the picture. It must be nice to have something opening all nice and fresh at this time of year.
Don’t know what possessed me to think of identifying the grasshopper but quickly I stumbled across similar images. Hope I got it right. Fortunately some of the stems around the outside of the plant are at the 5-ft level, rather than 10. This has never grown so tall.
Beautiful capture of the grasshopper! I have some similar Helianthus… also one to watch as it likes to spread in spring.
Thank you. I hadn’t studied grasshoppers closely in a long time–looks prehistoric. I wonder has your Helianthus already bloomed, as I know your weather is much cooler than here already.
It’s only just coming out, but I put that down to the summer drought as it is in the driest spot, and it suffered a bit.
Interesting–hope it gets a chance for long blooming. Have a good day!
You too Susie!
I like the pretty delicate looking Aster, not delicate at all if you’ve been trying to remove it and it keeps coming back.
The flowers are appealing–and tiny, just an inch or two so in diameter. Wish it weren’t such a thug. It has scared me away from adding other asters to the garden although I’d love to have their autumn color.
What a super photo of your grasshopper, great detail ! Your helianthus is very impressive, I’m amazed at all that growth in just one year, also sure the bees will love visiting those fantastic flowers.
Thanks Pauline. The grasshopper was patient while I photographed him! Hope the Helianthus can be controlled. It’s scary how much it has grown, but I love the bright flowers this time of year.
I do like that sunflower. I would try it if I didn’t already have so much Cup Plant.
I hear you! It would be nice to be able to look into the future to see how our gardens would do with particular plants, before actually introducing them into the soil.
The sunflower is very beautiful, its height very impressive! Guess it wouldn’t get so tall in my garden as the swamp bit is missing 😉 Great shot of your grasshopper and spider – the latter devoured a butterfly in my garden this summer which was twice the size!
Wow, I didn’t know the spider could do that. Amazing.
Loved the picture of the grasshopper.
10 ft tall…wow. Mine is 6-8 ft and I love it all over the garden. Great fall blooms.
Usually mine is similar in height to yours. Maybe the extra rain boosted it this year. Have a good day.