Tuesday 30 October 2012

Contrasts in the garden

 The garden is slowly moving into autumn, though there is still some colour about.  The other morning, I put the bird food out and saw these amazing cobwebs covered in dew, so rushed back inside to get my camera before they disappeared.
 I think they would be most at home in Miss Havisham's garden.
Cobwebs are the most wonderful constructions and yet we can destroy them in seconds.  I must admit I don't much like walking face first into a cobweb - the strands do cling so much!
 Just to show that there is still colour about, here are some photos of Cosmos Sonata, grown from seed and one of my very few successes this season.  I wasn't sure where to plant them so shoved them into a pot in June.  They just sat there and sat there and grew foliage and grew taller, but no sign of any flowers.  Then, at the end of August, a few buds started to form and eventually, they opened.
 I only had six plants, but they have been beautiful
 This was the view last week before we had the frost.  I was convinced that they wouldn't survive and I would have to remove a soggy mass of plants.
 Here they are again, this morning.  They look a little battered, but are still hanging on.
Another view this morning.  I have been delighted by the vibrant colours and have ordered more seeds of this variety for next year.  I know that it is only a matter of time before the frost gets them, but until then, they continue to lift my spirits.

P.S Don't forget to enter my blog giveaway - closing date on Friday 2nd November.

12 comments:

  1. How lovely to still have so much colour in your garden when it's almost November. I don't like walking into cobwebs as I always worry I may have a spider in my hair!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Gillian
      Thank you for your comment. I am amazed that the cosmos are still going, despite the cold and damp. Not sure how much longer they will survive, but I am enjoying seeing them each morning.
      I don't like the thought of a spider in the hair much either.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  2. I'm not really a fan of spiders' webs close up as I don't like their constructors (!) but your photos are beautiful and really show off what works of art they are. E x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear E
      Thank you for your comment. I was very pleased with the way these photos turned out. The dew on the webs really emphasised the work that had gone into making them. Quite amazing!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  3. I think I need to pop round ... I've been trying and failing to get some decent cobweb pics for my Tea with Miss Havisham commission! Yours are lovely ... I hope you didn't find spiders in your hair after taking them!

    Your cosmos are really putting on a show, gorgeous :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Annie
      Thank you for your comment. I was just lucky to see the cobwebs and to be able to get my camera in time. I do think they would be perfect for Miss Havisham. No, no spiders in my hair I'm pleased to say! I am thrilled with my cosmos - they have been a big surprise after taking so long to do anything. I shall definitely grow them again next year.
      Best wishes
      Ellie
      P.S Your Hallowe'en story gave me goosebumps - your writing was so atmospheric and evocative.

      Delete
  4. The Cosmos are lovely, I used to grow them by sowing straight into the earth. Some farmers in France sow strips of them in wheat and maize fields, they look so colourful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you for your comment. I would love to see a wheat field with strips of them - I bet that is an amazing sight. I would like to grow lots more of them (if only I had the room). I shall have to increase the number of pots of them instead.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  5. Hi Ellie, I am your newest follower, and also a keen gardener. We've been in our current home since April this year, so I haven't really done much to the garden yet, apart from planning. Cosmos are one of my favourite flowers, I'm definitely going to have some next year - seeds already purchased. Also a keen cobweb watcher.
    Joy xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Joy
      Welcome to my blog and I hope that you will enjoy reading it. My garden is a small town garden, which I have filled with plants and I also have a lot of pots too. I love herbaceous perennials, clematis and roses and the cottage garden style , although I do like formal lines with 'floofy' planting (exuberant planting with things spilling out of the borders). The cosmos are a new addition to the garden, but I think they will be one I grow every year from now on.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  6. Hi Ellie,

    I am Fiona from Ireland and I found you through someone elses blog, but I can't remember who.....

    Anyway I love your photos
    the cobweb pic is brilliant.

    I have never grown Cosmos and never thought you could
    grow them in a pot
    so I will definitely be doing that when the time is right.

    I am off now to have a read of your lovely blog.

    Wishing you a good weekend.


    Fiona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Fiona
      Welcome to my blog and thank you for your comment. I hadn't grown cosmos with any success at all until this year - they seemed to like being in a pot. Have a good weekend too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete