The changing colours of late summer

 There is no denying it, late summer is here.  The pastel pinks of early summer are being replace with deeper, richer tones.  Despite the heat and drought-like conditions of July, the garden has come through relatively unscathed.  Above is fuchsia 'Rivendell', bought at RHS Chatsworth last year and finally repotted.

 Japanese anemone 'Bressingham Glow' which is a reliable flowerer in my garden.

 The two crocosmia 'Emily Mackenzie' which I planted in the borders are one of the only casualties in the garden. Their leaves are brown and crispy.  The one above is in a pot and has been watered.  I did water the ones in the border, but it didn't do any good. I shall have to see if they grow next year or whether they have died.

 Another crocosmia, also in a pot.

 Penstemon Andenken an Friedrich Hahn, also know as Garnet, has flowered well all through the summer.  Even the plant in the border has done well.

 A deep red cosmos - possibly Rubenza.

The blueberries have also done well and have been fruiting since July. I get this many berries every two days or so and have several bags full in the freezer.  The plants are all over three years old, so the berry production is gaining with their maturity. 
After the heat this July, I have decided that I must be a Spring and Autumn person - I like warmth but not heat.  It is cooling down again now and I am finding it much more pleasant.   

Late summer flowers

There is a feeling of autumn being just around the corner in the garden.  The stalwarts of late summer are busy flowering, along with a few hangers-on from earlier.  Japanese anemone 'Bressingham Glow' (I think) gives a burst of bright pink.

 The agapanthus I bought last year came through the winter in the shed and has rewarded me with four flowers this year.

Clematis Blue Angel has been lovely,

 

Crocosmia 'Emily Mackenzie' has made a lovely contrast with the blue of the agapanthus. 

Hibiscus BlueBird reliably flowers throughout August, the exotic looking flowers belying its hardiness.

 My favourite hardy geranium, Rozanne, with the white centre and dark anthers.

 Helianthus Lemon Queen has not been happy this year and the clump has diminished a lot.  Perhaps I need to dig it up and split/replant the best bits.

 Another hibiscus - Woodbridge, I think.

Another shot of the fiery orange and red from the crocosmia.  Still a lot to enjoy, including blueberries and raspberries.  Chris has said he'll make blueberry jam, so that will be interesting!

The gradual descent into Autumn

Having a garden does make you aware of the changes of the seasons.  Looking round, you can tell that it is Autumn (even if the calendar says it is 23rd September officially).   The signs are already there - japanese anemones (above is Lady Maria), asters, grasses, fruits and berries.

 One of my novae-angliae asters (Mrs S.T Wright, I think) in a pretty shade of lilac.

 Aster Little Carlow is also flowering away and attracting lots of bees,

 Just in case it is all rather pastel coloured, here's a shot of colour in the form of Crocosmia Emily Mackenzie (my absolute favourite Crocosmia...so far).

 Elegant grasses like this Miscanthus - soft and very tactile.  Behind, you can see the feathery foliage of Cosmos (which is so late to flower this year and hasn't been very promising throughout the summer.  I tried some different varieties this year, but it will be back to tried and tested Cosmos Sonata Dwarf next year).

 Another japanese anemone (Bowles' Pink).

 I love this combination of the Crocosmia and Geranium Rozanne (two of my favourites looking amazing together).

 Another aster, September Ruby, with a happy bee in the centre.

 Here is a close up of the bee.

There are still some reminders of summer, for those of us who don't want it to leave.  Here is Rose Frilly Cuff  in its second flowering and doing well.

This is Rose Comte de Chambord, one of the parents of Rose Gertrude Jekyll, with the recognisable strong fragrance.  One of my new roses this year, I bought it in June, really past the bare root plant season, as a bare root.  It arrived looking very much worse for wear,  pale, limp and not at all happy. I popped it into a pot, not really expecting much from it at all.  In fact, if it survived, I would be surprised. However, as the summer progressed, it started to improve, put out new leaves and look much stronger and healthier.  Then it decided to flower and I was delighted.  The flowers are beautiful and have a lovely scent, as I mentioned.
I keep reading about the predictions for this winter to be one of the coldest in the UK since 1962/3, which is a bit worrying, especially as half my garden is full of pots.  I always protect them, but if this winter turns out to be as predicted, I may have to utilise my shed more.
I am going to enjoy the autumn as much as I can in the meantime.  Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, crumbles, cakes and pies, as well as the lovely autumn flowers and leaf colours. I hope those of you sharing the seasons with the UK will enjoy it too.


A big welcome to my new followers - it is lovely to see you and I hope you will enjoy my blog.

Things making me happy

A last hurrah in the garden, led by a beautiful, feathery miscanthus seedhead.

 Orange and purple - crocosmia Emily Mackenzie and a purple/blue nemesia.

 Aster Little Carlow with the autumn colours of the magnolia leaves behind.

New plants - Salvia Nachtvlinder with rich velvety purple flowers and another yellowy orange crocosmia 'Columbus'.
Another thing making me happy (and a little nervous, but in a good way, I think) is that I have taken the plunge and am having my first sewing lesson on Monday evening. Yes, I have finally stopped prevaricating and will be actually making some clothes!  The vintage material I bought at the fair will be used and I may even progress on to the A line denim skirt which has been sitting about for a fair few months!  Hoorah!  I'll let you know how I get on...

September colour in the garden highlights

It's the middle of September already - where has this year gone?  We have been lucky so far as the weather has been kind to us at the moment and long may that continue. The plants are enjoying the weather, although they are starting to change with the season.  Above is Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution' which I am still not sure about. The petals are starting to take on a red tinge which I like, so I'll wait to see what else changes.

 Rosa Molineux is rewarding me with more beautiful flowers.

 Clematis 'Perle D'Azur' is also flowering again, in rather a tangle, it has to be said.  I am waiting for a new trellis arch for it to scramble up.

 Asters are flowering too and the novae-angliae varieties are my favourite.  I think this may be September Ruby.

 Another pretty aster.

 Good old stalwart Helianthus Lemon Queen.

 Another aster, this time it is Little Carlow.  It has been fabulous this year and is usually full of insects too.

I am definitely starting to embrace orange in the garden as well.  This is a recent purchase called Crocosmia Emily MacKenzie and it offers a vibrant antidote to all the delicate pastel shades.

After a lot of consideration, the award for star plant of the month has to go to Cosmos Sonata (these are supposed to be a dwarf variety).  I grew them from seed, popped five plants into a terracotta pot and waited.  Lots of frothy foliage, but the flowers took their time.  Now that they are here, all is forgiven!  I have grown them for the last three years and just love them.  I think they will always be a part of any garden I have.