End of July in the Garden

The garden is slowly changing as the summer progresses.  Above is the phlox in a pot in the back garden, which has benefited from being divided as it is flowering the best I have ever seen it.

This ipomea or morning glory was given to me by my friend, Alison.  We were both saying that there were no flowers, but then I saw this! The flower only lasts for a day but it is stunning while it is there. 

I also divided the agapanthus Navy Blue, again in a pot.  I wasn't expecting it to flower but each division has give me two flowers, and I do enjoy that lovely blue.

They are very exotic looking flowers.

Speaking of exotic looking, here is one of my favourites, which always gets a mention, Hibiscus Syriacus Oiseau Bleu (Blue Bird).  My tricolour flowered hibiscus is in bud but not in flower yet.  

Finally, here is Anemone Bressingham Glow, always the first japanese anemone to flower in the garden.  I hope it will continue to flower into early autumn. It is much hotter and sunnier here at the moment and we are due a hot week to come (well, hot for the UK).  I don't really like the heat and am much happier with about 21 degrees centigrade and a nice breeze!  

More about the garden - Spring...again?

I know that the weather this year has been all over the place, with freezing Winter, boiling hot Spring and now damp and cool Summer, but I think my plants have been totally confused too.  Above is a Spring flowering clematis, happily putting out new flowers ( I took the photo this morning) and below shows my Magnolia liliflora Susan flowering again as well.  I know this can happen with some plants, but it has come as a bit of a surprise.  Still, if it means enjoying more flowers, I am very happy to see out of season blooms.

 Below, just to reassure me that it is still Summer, my hardy annual Morning Glory put out this gorgeous flower this morning.  The flowers only last one day, but when the colour is so astonishingly beautiful, I'm not going to complain.  Moreover, these plants were a gift from Mum who grew them from seed, so are doubly welcome.  They are a member of the bindweed family, but a very well behaved one which will never become a weed or a nuisance.

My garden (though very small) is always a source of endless fascination for me and I enjoy photographing the plants and sharing the photos with you.  I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do.