10.22.2011

Unexpected Fall Color

There are sights and sounds that recall a New Mexico autumn to my senses: the leaves turning brilliant shades of gold, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and the smell of burning pinon and juniper firewood permeating the night air.
But who would expect to see the almost continuous flowering of the same California poppy plant from spring to fall? I haven't spent much time in the back garden because it's fall. But a few weeks ago, I popped behind the aspen trees to put something in the shed and encountered these flowering delights.
They continue to flower to this day. The photos in this post have all been taken in the last two weeks and some today.
Four poppies grouped together remind me of Andy Warhol's Flowers series. I don't know if his iconic image of the silk screened flowers were of poppies or not.

Wishing everyone a Happy Autumn!

16 comments:

  1. Incredible that now such beautiful flowers bloom. You know that Andy Warhol's ancestors came from Slovakia?

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  2. Beautiful display. That orange stands out and grabs your attention. I can't believe you have Poppies blooming that long.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  3. I love, love , love CA poppies...you are so fortunate to have them growing for so long. I have had some success growing them as annuals now and then.

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  4. Beautiful CA poppies popping out in oct, that is such a wonderful surprise!

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  5. The poppies are pretty any time as far as I am concerned. I really like poppies but they are too short lived here. The perennial varieties have better success.

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  6. What a surprise! So lovely.

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  7. They're not yellow, they're not orange, they are a wonderful rich butterscotch color that is the happiest shade I have seen. Beautiful.

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  8. @Mimi - Daniela, I had forgotten that he was originally named, Warhola. I learned online there is also an Andy Warhol museum where his family is from in Slovakia.

    @Sunray - Cher, it's unbelievable!

    @Donna - They tend to biannuals here. I hope they reseed and I find some more next year.

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  9. @Garden at Nina Place and @Patricia - They're are such an unexpected surprise. I should check out what's happening behind the aspens more often.

    @GAG - They're usually not so long lived here either. These were under the shed roof so they might have gotten extra rainwater.

    @Laurrie - They always make me smile. The color is so exuberant! Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Love your images of those bright yellow poppies. We can't grow poppies here unfortunately.

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  11. Oh they make me smile too, and feel toasty warm inside. Beautiful color! Don't forget to add your thumbnail to the Autumn Walk Challenge.

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  12. Now that is the right kind of garden surprise! I remember your photos of them in spring (if it was the same patch) and can't believe they're still going strong. What beauties! I love what Laurie said about the color being a happy shade.

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  13. Beautiful! What a cheerful find! I tried growing California poppies last year, but they didn't find my heavy clay quite so agreeable. They must definitely like your yard, though!

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  14. @One - It's one of my favorite things about blogging is seeing plants from far away that don't grow here.

    @Carolyn <3 - Thanks for the reminder about the thumbnail. They're such happy flowers.

    @Stacy - It's the same patch up poppies. They're huge now, too.

    @Indie - They've reseeded in different places around the yard, but seem to like by the shed with little supplemental water.

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  15. Gorgeous! I like flowers that can tend to themselves!

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  16. What an awesome surprise, those poppies. I adore poppies, but mine are long gone.
    I am off to learn more about the art you write of. I will click on the link you provided and learn something new today!
    Enjoy your poppies!

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