Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles' - autumn flowering

Very, very nice!

What a Fantastic Colour2be seen in October Andrewr :)

Lovely ceanothus. I also like the variety of colours and leaf shapes in your border.

Looks really great....

That is going on my list Andrewr it,s lovely !

Looking good Andrew, and i know what you mean about this vareity of ceonothus, mine has done really well this year, and like yours is covered in flower - once again, glad i went for this one instead of the evergreen vareitys.

also that red grass is lovely, what type is that?

The grass is the Japanese blood grass - imperata cylindica 'Red Baron'. To get the intense colouring, it must have sun AND moisture, otherwise it just sulks and goes a sort of muddy green colour. I've had this for ten years now and it's getting to the stage of needing dividing as it's starting to run a bit too far

Ahha! Finally found a photo of the larger border, not just your exceptional close ups. I like to see the context and contrast. Is is blooming yet this year and what did you plant in front of it? I noticed elsewhere you have Astelia nervosa which you say turns reddish in winter. I am curious about A. chathamica "Silver Spear": are you familiar with it?

Yes, it's blooming again right now. In front of it I have planted hydrangea 'Lanarth', some late-flowering aconitums, heleniums and rudbeckia

Sounds like a nice combo. Thanks.