Flowers outside...

Now the weather is cooler and we have had a bit of much needed rain, some of my normally very reliable autumn flowers are putting in an appearance and bringing me some lovely splashes of colour. Above is Japanese Anemone Bressingham Glow.  It is much shorter and much later to flower this year.  

Here is Symphyotrichum (Aster, as it will always be to me!)) novae-angliae Mrs S T Wright.  This one has seeded itself from the main plant which is further down the border.

Here is Symphyotrichum (Aster) Little Carlow.  For the last two years this plant's leaves have struggled against mildew, as it is near to a big Buddleia.  I may need to move it (again) or improve the soil.  The flowers are very pretty though.

Helianthus Lemon Queen, again, this is shorter and smaller than usual, but still has zingy yellow flowers, loved by bees.

Even the miscanthus is shorter, but still elegant, particularly when the breeze ruffles its silky flowers.

Liriope Muscari, a very undemanding plant. The stem in front is a herbaceous Clematis, New Love.

The hydrangeas are taking on their autumn colours of old velvet.

Salvias are still flowering - this one is either Raspberry Melba or Strawberry Melba!

This little clematis 'Neptune' is flowering for the second time this year which is unexpected, but very welcome.  these are the flowers at the top...

...and the bottom of the support.  I am enjoying this gentle slide into Autumn very much.

Roses, Clematis and Cosmos and a visitor

 We are bracing ourselves for another heatwave.  I do not like the heat, so am not looking forward to the next week.  So far, the garden appears to be coping although I will need to be very careful with my watering.

The rest of the roses have now started to flower.  Above is Ferdinand Pichard who has a lovely perfume.

Emily Bronte, with her pink and creamy yellow flower.

Blush Noisette, with its sprays of smaller flowers.

The clematis are also doing well.  I used to have many more but over the years, they have come and gone.  Above is Venosa Violacea, whch is sprawling over the winter flowering honeysuckle.

This is Prince Charles, making his way over the trellis.

Arabella is a herbaceaous clematis who doesn't cling.  She is tied in to an obelisk.

Blue Angel is draping itself along the fence and wall.

Neptune is a smaller variety in a pot.

I have been growing different varieties of cosmos and this one is Cosmos sulphureus Polidor.  I haven't seen an orange cosmos before, but I like it!  I need to get these into larger pots.

Finally, I saw this amazing dragonfly (edited to add: a female Emperor, we think) in the garden.  These are not usual visitors and luckily, this one posed for me beautifully while I rushed to get my camera. Isn't it wonderful?