Butterflies and heatwaves

With the heatwaves we keep having (in the UK - these temperatures are 'hot' for us, but 'pleasant' for many other people), I have noticed many more butterflies this year, so that is one positive.  

I do not do well in the heat, so this summer is a struggle for me. I realise I am a lot more fortunate than many people, and indeed, the UK is not experiencing the horribly high temperatures that Europe is under at the moment.  A mix of the unpredictability of the menopause and warm temperatures at night mean I am not at my best. 

However, back to the butterflies.  I have seen the ubiquitous cabbage white butterfly, which seems to cope in any weather, and more Peacock butterflies and  Red Admirals (like the one in the photo, enjoying the buddleia).   I have also seen a little brown butterfly, but it flew off too quickly for me to identify it or to get a photo.

I am looking forward to the cooler days of Autumn - it's not good to wish the time away though!

Things to enjoy in the garden

 Despite the odd weather - it is really windy today which is unusual for August - there is still lots that I am enjoying in my little garden.  Butterflies have been visiting the buddleia - a tortoiseshell above.

 The combination of agapanthus and roses is making me smile.

A peacock butterfly on the buddleia.

 

 My cosmos were severely curtailed by slugs and snails, but the ones that have survived are flowering well.  The white stripe on 'Dazzler' intrigued me.

 A new rose this year, Olivia Rose Austin, looking perfect.  This rose so far has proved to be healthy and considering this is the first year with me, has been very floriferous.  There is a slight fragrance but it is delicate.

 Hibiscus Syriacus Oiseau Bleu still flowering away and adding a touch of the exotic.

 I forget about this phlox and each year it comes back, delighting me with the sugar pink flowers.  It is in poor soil, behind a rose bush, but despite that, it seems to be happy.

 Clematis Wyevale which has a soap-like fragrance and these small blue flowers held on thick stems.

 Rose Winchester Cathedral, with a second flush of flowers.

 Rose Olivia Rose Austin again - I love the flower shape of this rose. 

 Rose The Pilgrim - my only yellow rose.

When I see the japanese anemone 'Bowles' Pink' flowering, it is heralding the end of summer but in a joyous and colourful way. 

Japanese Anemone Bressingham Glow which continues to brighten the garden.

Buddleia and butterflies

With all the sunshine we have been enjoying, I was hoping that I would have butterflies visiting my garden.  Up to last week, I hadn't seen any at all.  However, with the sun and my (supposedly) dwarf buddleia in full flower and smelling wonderful, the butterflies have started to appear. Above is a peacock butterfly, which was a little camera shy initially, but eventually it showed its lovely wing patterns.

Here is a small tortoiseshell butterfly, which seemed much happier to be in my photos.

I particularly like the blue patterns around its wings. 
The buddleia is in a small tub and was one of the 'Buzz' series - magenta, I think.  It is supposed to be a dwarf variety and while it is not as big as some, it is not really a dwarf as it is about 5 and a half feet tall.  It is a lovely plant though, with a honey scent and if it continues to attract butterflies, it definitely deserves its place in the garden.

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