I suppose that delivery folks are not too bothered that the front walk is covered ankle deep by leaves. I don’t think I have any more plants on the way, though some bulbs and seeds are expected soon. Otherwise, no one walks the paths except me, a few times every day or more if there’s something that needs doing. Leaf removal is not on the schedule.

A few trees still hold on to a fraction of their foliage, so there’s no reason to clean up. And if I did, more would blow in so that I’d have to do it again before Thanksgiving guests arrive.

Piles of leaves through much of the garden are a consequence of planting many dozens of trees and bordering a forest of maples and tulip poplars. This is the garden’s mulch and fertilizer and I’ve whined since deluges in mid-June that the cover of last year’s decaying leaves was washed away. The exposed, bare soil cracked in the dryness of midsummer until a few weeks ago when leaves began to fall.

As I wait until the day before Thanksgiving to clear the front walk and paths so family can stroll the garden if the weather cooperates, there’s no hurry to clear leaves from any other area of the garden. Sometime before mid-January I’ll rake the piles that cover winter flowering hellebores, and by spring I’ll clear accumulated leaves that cover low growing shrubs. The areas of lawn are partially covered, but they’re never a concern except figuring how to cut the amount of grass to add more plants.

Otherwise, there’s nothing to do. Somehow the Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium, above) remain uncovered despite deep piles of fallen leaves from the ‘Bloodgood’ and ‘Seriyu ‘ Japanese maples that blanket the front walk. The Cyclamen have spread slowly and a few were still flowering until last week.

The sprawling Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) beside the koi pond patio is quite shabby. Deer feasted on one side of the large hydrangea in the summer and it started new growth, then stopped. It will be fine by spring, but its foliage color is often splendid through December. But, a few Oakleafs in the side garden (above) have colored beautifully with more sun since the magnolia fell, and the yellow leafed ‘Little Honey’ is showing some color, for once. While most leaves are falling, the Oakleafs will often hold on until the new year.