The rosehips have been providing dramatic colour against rare blue skies. The driveway has one long bed of roses and it is the one area of the garden where I seem to have provided enough fruit both for myself and for the birds. I have made enough syrup to last me through the winter, although I tend not to use these smaller fruits as they are a bit’ fiddly’ and do not have much flesh.
A few years ago, my neighbour informed me that she had found some bindweed in a far corner of her garden. It was a worrying development but I reassured her that I would be vigilant and keep on top of it if I found any in my own. Famous last words. The plant has advanced on the garden overnight, seemingly attacking from all sides. I am beginning to think that it will be the most difficult ‘invader’ to eradicate – this is coming from someone who is already fighting ferns and brambles. The fact that this hedge bindweed (above) with a very attractive flower and is an important pollinator does not make me feel any better.
I think this is field bindweed (below), although it is easy to confuse with its relative. It seems less virulent than the hedge bindweed, but it is probably not worth taking a chance that it will control itself. The RHS suggests that patience and persistence are required to eradicate these plants. They did not mention the other essential characteristic – youth.
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The larger rosehips are easier to use when making syrup and the birds also seem to prefer them, leaving the smaller varieties until last. I love it when the flowers and rosehips appear together.
Once the oregano is fading, the Abelia grandiflora comes into its own as a popular food for the bees. During the recent warm days, it has been covered in bumblebees. It would take a better photographer than I to catch them as they flit from one flower to the other, although I did try. It is also a very attractive plant in itself and will flower for some months to come.
I have just found these dead man’s fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) for the first time. It is easy to see how they get their name, especially if you imagine that the man has been gardening for years and now has the arthritic fingers to prove it. They are growing at the bottom of a sycamore stump that I am trying to kill (unsuccessfully) although maybe it is a sign that I will finally win the battle.
According to Roger Phillips, dead man’s finger are not edible. But looking at these pictures would anyone really want to try?
I have been very grateful for those wildflowers that have flowered late in the summer as they have provided food for the few butterflies that arrived in September in the season. This small tortoiseshell was one of over half a dozen that settled on this plant for a healthy snack during the recent warm days. Despite this, there were still few butterflies to be seen overall and their absence is worrying.
The new wildflower garden has more than paid its way this year as it has been one of the few places where I have found any insects. In some cases, the plants have hosted numerous shieldbugs at various stages of development.
The common green shieldbug nymph was one of many feasting near the lily plant in the wildflower garden. Sadly, I saw just two species of shieldbugs this year, although there are usually at least four. But it is a sign that dedicating the areas to wildflowers is working.
This Sorbus vilmorinii looked very shaken for most of the summer, but has unexpectedly produced masses of berries. These always fascinate me as they start off a deep wine colour turning to a very pale pink as they mature when you might expect it to be the other way around. For once, I managed to find some of each colour on the same branch. These berries are a firm favourite with the birds so they do not last for long.
After over fifteen years I have finally had a fence installed behind the house where there is a serious drop if anyone stumbled in the dark. It has taken so long as I could not bring myself to settle for plain railings. Yet again Noel (Moz) Malloy of Moz’art Sculptures has come to my aid and produced a sculpture fit for the lovely setting.
I left the design to Noel, but asked for three Celtic dogs to be incorporated into the sculpture in honour of my dogs. Spot the rare ‘Celtic sausage’ dog (above).
This is the fourth of my double-flowered hydrangea. It is the first that I ever bought and has made me a firm fan for life. It starts as a pale blue, changing to pale yellow and then deep pink depending on the weather. I have it recorded as a Macrophylla Double Floured Pin, but as the names of these new hydrangea seem to change it may have another one by now.
The final colour of the ‘Double Flowered Pin’ depends on the weather. This year you can see the effects first of the rain and then the drought. However, it is still attractive.
The flowers on these chives and lavender have lasted a long time and are the perfect complement to each other. They give a fresh look when much of the rest of the garden is dry and dull.
Shiona a very kind and talented friend took pity on me and converted my Crab Apple ‘Gorgeous’ into jelly. What more could you ask for? It is a beautiful gift that will last the winter. This is the perfect end to the season.