Wednesday 30 September 2020
Monday 28 September 2020
IAVOM - Into Autumn
Well what a change in the weather from one Monday to the next when a balm sunny day has morphed into a decidedly chilly and windy mode. The first day of autumn was beautiful but then it went downhill from there albeit there has been a brief let up over the last couple of days to allow some gardening activities. I've dismantled one of the sweet pea wigwams this afternoon leaving the one still standing as there may be a couple more small vases left in it. In my 'In A Vase On Monday' this week are just a couple of occupants :
- The first is from the shrub lonicera 'Baggeson's Gold'. We have just removed an overgrown specimen of this to make room for a construction project. Details to follow soon. However we still have access to pickings from a hedge of the same plant which belongs to the neighbours but we have access to prune it.
- The second is a few stems of one of my favourite late flowering perennials in the form of the tuberous begonia grandis subsp. evansiana 'Alba'. Despite its delicate appearance this is a toughie flowering from late summer until the early frosts. It does self-seed but never enough to be a nuisance as seedlings are easily recognised and in my experience fall close to the parent. The leaves have red undersides. There is also a pink version which has larger flowers which are just opening now. I can't remember if this is the normal course of things. These plants appears extremely late in the day and I have often fretted in the spring that I've lost them so patience is absolutely essential. I have never picked the flowers for a vase before so will be interested to see how long the flowers last.
I am still getting used to the vagaries of the new Blogger platform in particular with resizing photos so please bear with me if any of them or the text appears a but squiffy. Meanwhile over at 'Rambling In The Garden' Cathy our hostess has jellies and cakes for our delectation today. I could certainly tuck in to them right now. Do pop over there if you haven't already.
Monday 21 September 2020
In A Vase On Monday ~ Summer's Last Swansong
My 'In A Vase On Monday' this week is a tribute to the very last day of summer and was picked in most beautiful weather yesterday afternoon. We have been blessed with some most glorious settled weather for the last week or so which is set to make way for more of an autumnal feel as the week progresses. We are forecast much cooler temperatures and what will be some welcome rain.
In my vase this week are :
- Sweet peas - the two toned one is 'Erewhon' whilst the other is 'Noel Sutton'. I mentioned in an earlier post this year that my sweet peas sown in mid March seemed very late to start flowering. However once they got going they have more than made up for it. I planted them at home this year rather than at the allotment so they have been close to hand for picking. Perhaps not in the best position as they proved rather challenging to pick at times and I have to avail myself of himself's extra height and longer arms. A new position will be sought next year. They are slowly dwindling to a close now but will be allowed a while longer before going into the green bin. Not enough room left in the bin now before it gets wheeled up ready to be collected tomorrow morning.
- Some sprigs of an old favourite herbaceous perennial clematis in the shape of clematis jouiana 'Praecox'. This is a sprawler in my garden but can climb too given support. It is great for late summer colour and is beloved by bees and butterflies. Its one big minus is that it dies disgracefully and sadly will soon begin its annual journey in the direction of dormancy.
- Lastly a single rose in the shape of 'Wollerton Od Hall'. She is a most delicate appealing shade and is supposed to have a strong scent. Unfortunately I am unable to pick up on much scent although I must admit that after some nasal problems my sense of smell is not as good as it was. However to me her scent definitely pales in comparison with 'Gertrude Jekyll'. 'Wollerton Old Hall' is a David Austin rose and is named after the outstanding garden of the same name in Shropshire. I have been lucky enough to visit there twice with himself and once with a local gardening club. I'm hoping very much to make another visit next year and would urge anyone to do so should you find yourself in Shropshire.
The vase is a cheap and cheerful purchase from a well known supermarket some time ago.
Thanks as always to our lovely hostess Cathy who pampers and cherishes her flowers over at 'Rambling In The Garden'. I'm off to recover now over the shock of legacy Blogger completely disappearing. There had been enough warnings but it seems that sadly Blogger have finally pulled the plug. I will be heading back into the garden to relish this beautiful last day of summer.
Monday 14 September 2020
IAVOM ~ Mellow Yellow
Gathering flowers for today's 'In A Vase On Monday' was fun with a heavy dew and spiders conspiring against me. The it came to taking a photo and the flowers flopped and the sun was too bright but here we have a few ingredients from what is still flourishing during these last few days of summer. You might be able to make them all out if you squint your eyes :
- Anthemis tinctoria 'E.C Buxton' also known as Dyer's chamomile - a beautiful perennial daisy which starts off as a slightly too bright yellow but redeems itself as the flowers mature and fade in colour. It seems trouble free and flowers over a long spell. I would love to know who E.C. Buxton was.
- Mainly faces looking down is the annual cosmos 'Pink Lemonade' which was grown from seed this year and is unlikely to be on my seed list next year. I could not take to this cosmos.
- Some wispiness from seed grown hordeum jubatum or squirrel's tail grass. I planted a few of these and will keep my fingers crossed that they return next year. I also have a few left overs in pots which I will overwinter in the cold frame.
- The annual nasturtium 'Milkmaid' which again was grown from seed, a free packet from a gardening magazine. Last year she was at the allotment but this year she has been in the garden where she has developed a bit of a climbing habit. She will definitely be on next year's seed list which is already in the making.
Thanks as always to our steadfast hostess Cathy who blogs over at 'Rambling In The Garden'. Her post this week has a little person stealing the show. Do take a peek if you haven't already! Here after spending a good part of a beautiful day in the garden I notice that I have bitten a few times but it has been worth the price. Now off in search of some calming lotion to apply to my wounds.
Wednesday 9 September 2020
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