Six on Saturday: 5/9/20

Tags

Aeonium atropurpureum cristata, Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster, crimson glory vine, Geranium 'Ann folkard', molinia Transparent, ornamental gourds, rose a shropshire lad, Sedum Autumn joy, so x on saturday, stipa tenuissima, Vitis coignetiae

I have had little time in my garden of late, for various reasons including the inclement weather. I had moved my Aeoniums and species pelargoniums out of the worst of the weather into the shelter of the summer house but had not had opportunity to move them back out into the open. In just a couple of weeks the foliage has changed. My six to share with you and The Propagator include these.

Aeoniums back in the open air

It fascinates me how the lower light levels quickly change the black foliage back to green. Plants are so cool. If you look at the tiny rosettes of Aeonium atropurpureum cristata, front right above and centre below you will see how the once almost completely black rosettes are now green with black edges. Hopefully they will have time to revert to black before they come in the house for Winter.

Aeoniums on 19 August

Foliage is beginning to show seasonal change. This is my small blossom tree

Showing distinct Autumnal foliage matching last nights sky.

Night sky over the barn roof

The foliage of Crimson Glory vine is not crimson yet but it is definitely turning.

Vitis coignetiae

Thoughtful colleagues have dropped a trug of produce to me . These squashes are grown from seed and are ornamental gourds. Stunning in this mornings light.

A blast of sunlight

Ornamental gourds

September is when the grasses come into their own. Calamagrostis, stipas, Molinias all have a place in my garden.

Stipa tenuissima

Molinia Transparent

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster

These all tolerate my very exposed garden and do not need staking. They capture the low level autumn light unlike any other plant. If you don’t have any grasses, I highly recommend them.

Finally, flowers. Flowers still going are roses, dahlias, rudbeckias and Seseli as well as Asters and the reddening flowers of ice plant, formerly known as Sedum.

Formerly known as Sedum Autumn Joy

Rose a Shropshire Lad

Geranium Ann Folkard

Geraniums were cut back hard about a month ago and are flowering again.

These are my six this evening. Have a good weekend wherever you are and thanks for reading. D.

In a Vase on Monday: gatherings

Tags

coreopsis moonshine, Geranium 'Ann folkard', in a vase on Monday, lavender angustifolia Hidcote, mild Autumn, pelargonium sidoides, Verbena bonariensis, white and purple asters

I have left it late in the day to gather these flowers so photographing is under electric light. I think the colours have pictured true. 

Cathy at https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com hosts our Monday vases. We collect from our gardens and bring them inside to enjoy. If you fancy sharing your pickings please remember to link back to Cathy’s blog.

So today there is, in no particular order, Coreopsis Moonshine, Geranium Ann Folkard, Pelargonium sidoides, Lavender Hidcote, Verbena bonariensis, purple and white Asters and shades of pink from Persicaria affinis.

In some ways it is an incredible selection in that there are some Summer flowers (lavender, geranium and pelargonium) mixed with the later flowering Coreopsis and asters. 

Thank you mild Autumn, long may you last. 

In a vase on Monday and 52 week photo challenge: Heat

Tags

52 Week Photo Challenge, Alchemilla mollis, Cosmos, Dahlia mignon.mixed, Geranium 'Ann folkard', Geum "Mrs Bradshaw", Geum Totally Tangerine, heat, in a vase on Monday, Katie Swan, Lily, Rose "Lark Ascending", Rose Morning Mist, Verbena bonariensis, wibledon championship, wildcard

Where is the heat to this Summer? The weather pattern is unsettled  but to me it seems to be very settled, settled into a routine of much rain followed by a few warm hours each day.  The weeds are growing well, not unlike Jacks beanstalk.
Today is more of the same so to join Cathys ‘in a vase’ and Sandra ’52 week photo challenge’ of last week, my vase is full of hot colours.

The vase is an old earthenware pickle pot, and this arrangement is in a bit of a pickle with stuff all over the place.

I like it like this with lots of movement and hot colour. No real reds but plenty of oranges and hot pinks.

So two birds with one stone today. Last weeks late entry to https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com and Mondays vase to https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com

Take a minute to have a look at other entries they are usually diverse and always lovely.

Have a great week.
Wimbledon has started today so that usually means more mixed weather. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for wild card entry Katie Swan on Tuesday. Ranked 437 she won for GB in the Fed cup in Israel earlier this year and is the youngest British player to have won a Fed Cup game. Swan will play Timea Babos (44).
Let’s cheer her on, go Katie!

Wordless Wednesday: Blue

Tags

Geranium 'Ann folkard', wordless wednesday

Geranium Ann Folkard blue with cold

In a vase on Monday: from the sunny side

Tags

Agastache/ hyssop, Allium sphaerocephalon, Geranium 'Ann folkard', Jasmine officinalis 'Coltted Cream', Knautia macedonia, Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', Nepeta govaniana, Verbena bonariensis

In raised beds I have grown as many scented and bee friendly plants together. There is rosemary, an edge of lavender, small olive trees and a fig. Mixed with these are a couple of clipped box cones and a couple of purple leaf acers. The flowers for today’s vase reflect the bits inbetween.

Ann Folkard is a geranium with rather lime coloured foliage which creeps up and around it’s neighbours in a rather passive manner. Knautia Macedonia is growing like mad this year but does seem to have a touch of powdery mildew. Too dry perhaps!?

The Hyssop is a good strong shape, unlike the naughty Knautia which is lolling around. It also has a strong dark purple colour, scented leaves and the bees love it.

The lavender was chosen for its colour and scent of course and because it tends not to get as big as some varieties.
Lavandula stoechas or French lavander is pretty for its flags and scent, again insects like it.
Allium sphaerocephalon is one of my favourite alliums in that it has such a dark burgundy colour, is without those unattractive strap leaves that the other forms have and it comes back time and time again.

Verbena bonariensis is a useful back of border plant which the bees and butterflies love. No scent and borderline hardy it will self seed if you’re lucky.

I introduced the palest yellows to the scene for full on scent. Jasmine clotted cream is strongly scented and not as rampant as some garden varieties. It may not be as hardy as some but managed well last Winter in its quite sheltered spot. Finally and by no means least, Nepeta govaniana. This catmint is lovely, graceful even, flowering until the Autumn with a strong catmint scent when touched.

So there it is folks, my Summer in a vase, well a marmalade pot to be precise. This was a Tring Friday market find and usually houses an orchid in the kitchen.

I don’t think any bees visiting these flowers will be pollinating any oranges for marmalade, but I can dream.

Cathy at https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/07/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-calmer-serener
Is the host of this meme. This week she has some lovely dahlias in her vase, do take a look and then peek at some of the many others on show.
Failing that get outside and pick your own flowers. Have a good Monday.

In a vase on Monday: A hint at what is out there

Tags

Geranium 'Ann folkard', In a vase on Mondoy, Knautia macedonia, Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', Salvia nemorosa, Sanguisorba officinalis 'Red thunder' Pelargonium sidoides

Is it me or is Monday here again quicker than expected?  After all the pinching last week I felt I should do the decent thing and snip a few precious flowers from my new planting.

All of the flowers have been transported from my old garden in the form of cuttings or  pots and planted into raised beds that were already in situ.  The area is South facing and is very sheltered thanks to the buildings that surround it.  Consequently it means i have an ideal spot for my sun loving plants and collection of succulents.

The planting includes lavander,  Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ and Salvia nemorosa for a litle on- contact scent.  Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red Thunder’ for its dark bobbles and  Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’ for its long lasting flowering period, its rather scrambling habit and its slightly lime toned leaves.  Pelargonium sidoides for its blue grey foliage and its velvet looking flowers  and last but by no means least Knautia macedonia for its perfect pin cushions of claret.

Then there is the whopping great purple flower.  That is a Clematis that has been allowed to remain as its colour sits well amongst the bruised tones.  Not sure which one it is.  It has lovely seed heads after flowering so it gets my vote. And that is it for today.  My vase was kindly provided by my sister as she knows I have a  liking for pretty medicine bottles.  Sat on the kitchen table, I am liking the way the overhead light has cast a shdow of the blooms.

So that is it, my vase for this Monday.  To see what Cathy and other bloggers have put in their vases, take a look at http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/in-a-vase-on-monday/2014/09/22/jumping-the-gun.

Hope you are having a good day.