Hydrangeas and other plants

The hydrangeas are starting to take on their autumn colours.  Above is a Dwarf white macrophylla.

The shades of pink are just starting to appear on Sundae Fraise.

They are more evident on Pinky Winky (a not so great name for a lovely plant!).

The tri-coloured hibiscus has only seemed to have two sorts of flowers this year, with the pink dominating.

The occasional white/pink flower has been lovely and there are still a couple on the plant today.

Muscari Valerie Finnis are starting to grow again.

Clematis Wyevale has been divided this year and is flowering away happily, with its soap-like scent.

At the front of the house, Choisya White Dazzler is flowering again.  There are only a few  flowers, but they are most welcome.

Finally, this hydrangea, Magical Revolution Pink, is putting on an amazing show.  It should be in a bigger pot and it got hydrangea scale earlier in the year, but look at it now!

The flowers have turned from a baby pink to this raspberry ripple colour, with touches of green.  It is a lovely sight to be greeted with when I get home!

Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas are looking good again and beginning to turn their autumnal shades.  Above is a dwarf macrophylla white which had these beautiful bright white flowers earlier in the summer. They are now turning more green.

Here is Bobo, another small plant but a paniculata variety. I find these easier when it comes to pruning.

Sundae Fraise starting to turn pink around the edges.

Pinky Winky turning pink.  This has the biggest flowers of the lot.

Macrophylla magical Revolution Pink, with shades of green on the flowers.

Magical Revolution Blue which hasn't done so well this year as it was too shaded out, I think. I have moved it in the hope that it will do better next year.  It is going more purple/lilac now and will probably change to pink another year.

Macrophylla Dark Angel looking pretty good.

Only two flowers from Sanguine Merville, (probably down to my not that brilliant pruning!) but they are rather lovely.

Finally another Magical Revolution Pink at the front door and looking probably the best of them all!

The seasons change part two

I forgot to welcome my new followers, so welcome to you.  I hope you will enjoy our rather meandering journey through my small part of the world.  We are continuing our tour of the plants flowering in my garden at the start of Autumn in the UK.  Above is Astrantia Burgundy Manor, flowering since May and this is the second flush of flowers. I potted it on earlier in the year and it has repaid me.

A small white macropylla hydrangea which is taking on pink tones.

Hydrangea paniculata Sundae Fraise also putting on its Autumn display.

Salvia Nachtvlinder which has flowered for months and is still going.

Helianthus Lemon Queen is a lovely back of the border plant.  I would like more of this so will see if I can divide it next Spring.

Some roses are still doing well. This is Susan Williams-Ellis.

This is one of my favourites - Kew Gardens.  The single creamy yellow/white flowers are so pretty and are formed in panicles, a bit like a hydrangea paniculata.

Rose William Shakespeare 2000, which put out this one flower just in time for the Queen's funeral.

The ever reliable Liriope muscari which I keep saying needs dividing, but I haven't actually got round to it yet.  

Finally, the lovely Miscanthus - I'm not totally sure whether it is Silberfeder or Kleine Fontane or something else.  Either way, it is lovely!

I am going to plant some narcissus and muscari as soon as I can and then in November, I will be tulip planting.  That's one of the many things I enjoy about gardening - there is always something to look forward to.

More late summer blooms

There is a feeling of autumn just round the corner and the garden is responding.  Above is Japanese Anemone Bressingham Glow, which has proved to be really reliable over the years.

Clematis Heracleifolia New Love is also flowering nicely - it has a pleasant fragrance a bit like soap.

Hydrangea Paniculata Sundae Fraise is colouring up well - it reminds me of coconut ice.

This is a tri-coloured hibiscus - so far, just the pink is flowering.

Phlox is bringing a splash of colour to the bottom of the garden.  This one is planted in some not brilliant soil, but somehow manages to flower every year.

Another phlox, in a pot this time.

My favourite hibiscus, Oiseau Bleu, which features on here every year.  Such an exotic-looking flower. 

Finally for now, a Buddleia 'Wisteria Lane' which has long hanging flowers.  This is a couple of years old and has been planted in a big pot this year.  It has responded with some beautiful flowers.  The crocosmia Emily McKenzie is just starting to flower, so that will bring a punch of orange to the rather pastel proceedings.

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Like most of the UK, we are 'enjoying' a heatwave. (I realise that our temperatures are tame compared to other parts of the world, but they are unusual for the UK).  There hasn't been any significant rain for a month here.  I am not enjoying it at all.  I am not sleeping well and I'm finding it all a bit oppressive.
We are supposed to be getting thunderstorms tomorrow night with the possibility of flash flooding.

Animals and plants are also suffering without the rain (which I realise that I take for granted so much - perhaps a little less now).

However, there have been some nice photo opportunities.

 My agapanthus Navy Blue is flowering earlier than usual...

(with a helpful bee)...

 ...as is the hibiscus (usually in August).

Conversely, this foxglove is later than usual.

 The insects seem to be enjoying all the flowers.  Here is a bee on the verbena bonariensis.

 Butterflies on the buddleia...

 ...and more...

 ...and more.

 Here's a hydrangea I forgot in my hydrangea round up post - this is 'Fireworks'.

I think I said this hydrangea was Diamont Rouge.  However, it isn't, it is actually Vanille Sundae.

Always one to state the obvious, this song seems to sum up the UK at the moment...All together now "Feelin' hot, hot, hot!"