I am too busy looking after my trees, shrubs and vegetables to plant a lot of annual or perennial flowers. However, who needs them when you have tiny wildflowers thriving in the cracks of the dry stone wall.
This is one of the moon jellyfish occupying my swimming place at the moment. I believe that the sting, if any, is almost harmless but am using them as an excuse to put off swimming in the ‘Baltic’ water for a few days.
This miniature Geum is still settling into my rockery but has suddenly burst into flower after a barren summer. It is also producing new plants so I will change my plans to remove it and will encourage it to spread instead.
Nature never fails to surprise. This mallow has just one flower left and is growing amongst thick shrubs. Yet on the dullest day this month a lonely bumble bee found it and made the most of what was available. How on earth did he find it?
I saw this Zebra grass Miscanthus sinensis in a garden recently and am determined to have one. I think it is a perfect example of how a plant and its background can enhance each other.
Details of the Zebra grass with its twine-like fronds.
I have not lost my admiration for the ornamental cherry trees in the garden. As usual they withstood the gales of the last few months. Unlike most of the other trees they retained their leaves which have gone on to produce stunning autumn colours. Only the slightly curling leaves give any indication that they were blasted by 90 km hour winds.
This flagpole cherry Prunus amanogawa is one of four bordering a curved path and it has another three companions interspersed with a couple of prunus Okumiyako shogetsu. You can see how exposed they are in this photograph. I hope to add to the collection this winter to complete the curve on the path.
The mushrooms have started to appear throughout the garden and as usual many are so small that you could easily miss them. This waxcap seems to like the combination of grass and moss which graces the upper garden.
I have added this Euonymus Alatus compactus to my collection as the others have been so successful. You can see why it is called the Burning Bush. It should grow into a small attractively shaped bush and with luck will be popular with the birds as its relatives.
Another shrub that seems to ignore the seasons and flowers for many months is Fuchsia Genii. Its petals curve like a lantern and it is only now starting to feel the brunt of the winter. It sits in a small rockery which may account for its small size but it is looking very healthy despite getting little attention from me. It is time for me to give it some but I am almost certain that it will not respond well. Most of the plants here seem to better without my intervention for some reason.
I am particularly fond of this view, as thirteen years ago the foreground was just a blank sloping field. The trees have developed very nicely and the shelter has been very important in attracting birds and insects.
These mushrooms seem to spring up overnight and yet each morning some creature has already had a decent nibble making it impossible to photograph a perfect specimen. I hope that it makes a tasty meal.
Where would we be in a coastal garden without Hebe? This Wiri Mist is all set to provide a white Christmas. It never disappoints. What more could one want from a shrub?