Hydrangeas, Hibiscus, Clematis and a Raspberry

(photo collage created using picmonkey)

It's that time when the garden just pauses before launching into the late summer and autumn plants. Stalwarts of the garden at this time are Hydrangeas and Hibiscus.  I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with hydrangeas in the past, but am loving them again, possibly as there are some really interesting varieties now.  Above is a selection from my garden, all in pots with the exception of the middle picture on the bottom row, which is lucky enough to be in the border.
From top left, top row: Hydrangea Coco (I think, or it could be Fireworks); Hydrangea Sundae Fraise (which is starting to turn pink now, but began this lime green/white); and an unnamed Hydrangea
Middle row from left: Hydrangea Merveille Sanguine (which is really beautiful); Hydrangea Everlasting Summer Pink; Hydrangea Everlasting Summer The Bride
Bottom row from left: Hydrangea Dark Angel; Hydrangea Arborescens Annabelle; Hydrangea Dark Angel again. As you can tell, Dark Angel is my current favourite, closely followed by Merveille Sanguine, then Annabelle.

 I always feature the Hibiscus - Oiseau Bleu above and Woodbridge below.  They look so exotic but I have found them to be trouble free and reliable and when in full flower, they make quite a statement.

I couldn't resist another look at Hydrangea Dark Angel as I am fascinated by the creamy flowers/bracts which turn pink, then purple, surrounding bright blue flowers in the centre.  

Some of the clematis are still flowering such as Clematis viticella Purpurea Plena Elegans, which is in a pot but which I do need to pot on. However, despite this, it is reliable and just stunning, with the velvety purple petals like pompoms.

Clematis Princess Kate has done really well for me as I only bought it this year.  Maroon stripes along white petals on an elegant flower.

 Good old Clematis Piilu - it has finished flowering for this year but flowered well.  There are other plants gearing up to flower, such as crocosmias and asters, as well as Helianthus Lemon Queen, so the show will go on.

I picked (and ate) my first raspberry this year and delicious it was too.  I have two Joan J canes in a large tub and they seem to be very reliable autumn fruiting plants.  If I had more space, I would definitely grow more of these.