Autumn Colors on a rainy day in Americus

To some, it might be a dreary day in Americus, Georgia. But, on a closer look, it is a beautiful autumn day at the Americus Garden Inn. I took this photo earlier today from the front gate. The sasanqua is in full bloom and the crepe myrtles are gorgeous this year. Remember, you can click on any photo for a larger view.This is the view from the parking area behind the house. The purple queen is, well, purple. The red rocket crepe myrtles turned a beautiful orange. However, the rain caused most of the leaves to drop making it appear that the trees has "melted".
One of the crepe myrtles in front of the house.

The Chinese flame tree still has the "pom poms" but the leaves at the top of the tree are now a bright yellow.

The holly berries are starting to turn red.

The nandina berries are already bright red like cranberries.

Every day, the oakleaf hydrangea shows more color.

One of our oak trees.

A view of the parrotia leaves up close.

From the distance, the parrotia tree looks orange.

The pistache tree has just started turning.

A fragrant gardenia has appeared by the porch entrance.

Today, the knockout roses are truly knockouts!

By the porch entrance, a single pink bud has emerged.

One of the two varieties of sasanqua in front of the house.

A close up of the other variety of sasanqua, from the bush in the front of the house in the first photo of this post.

It is hard to believe that we have been here since 2002. In the years we have been here, this is the prettiest autumn we have seen. Wish you were here enjoying it with us.

A Great Day to be Innkeepers

People ask us all the time if we always wanted to be innkeepers. The truth is, we have no idea how we decided to embark on this particular journey. What makes each day special is knowing that we make each day a great day for someone else.Over the past couple of days, we had really wonderful guests. It seemed like we had been friends forever and this morning we spent 3 hours talking. It was hard to see them go. Did I mention that they are illusionists? You can check out their website at www.joshknotts.com Josh and Lea do extreme illusions and stopped in Americus for a little R&R between shows at state fairs. They are headed to Alabama for the National Peanut Festival in Dothan. If you are headed that way, make sure to catch their show.

We had a little rain and the temperature has dropped just a little. I had a phone conversation with a very nice lady asking me about the garden. I decided to take a few more photos displaying the season. Kim has not trimmed the vitex, yet. They are like crape myrtles in that they will bloom again if the seeds are trimmed.

The hollies by the pond are just full of berries.

Today, the confederate rose is full of flowers. Were you aware that the confederate rose is a hibiscus?

The knock-out roses are gorgeous right now.

One of the three varieties of lantana in the garden.

As you can see, the fig tree is still producing figs, but, we have not had any remain on the tree long enough for us to eat one.

In this close up of the Chinese flame tree, the "flame" looks like a huge pompom.

The insects totally devoured our canna tropicana plants this summer. They are finally recovering.

This is a view looking up into one of the pecan trees. The green pods are the immature pecans.

The sasanqua in front of the house just started blooming.

A sngle gardenia is blooming at the porch entrance.

Another lantana variety with berries.

Looking towards the pond from the porch, the knock-out roses are beautiful.

Every season brings its special magic to the garden. As the weather gets cooler, the camellias and the sasanquas will be joined by the paperwhites. If you didn't know, the American Camellia Society is located about 45 minutes from Americus at Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley. It's a great place to visit when the camellias are blooming.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

Iris, Azalea and Holly

The azaleas are popping everywhere. In all colors
The holly by the pond is blooming, yet, still has berries.

The iris have arrived.

Spring in Americus is gorgeous.

Spring is on its way to Americus

With all the unpredictable weather this year, the winter flowers are comingling with the early spring blooms. The camellias love this cold weather.

The holly plants, surrounding the pond, are totally loaded with bright red berries.
The nandina are also displaying large clusters of bright red berries.

But, here comes the hint of spring...

with the first daffodils making their debut!

The Japanese magnolia is covered in white blossoms

beautifully highlighting the crisp blue sky.

Spring is almost here!