Monday 21 September 2015

"In the Pink"

I have not contributed to the meme "In a Vase on Monday" before, principally while I appreciate flower arrangements and the art involved, any cut flowers I bring into the house tend to be just plonked in a vase or left in a jug for those more skilled than I to deal with.
However today with some VIP friends visiting, Irene and I raided youngest daughter Mary's allotment.
 (I have a half share and pay the rent!).



The Cosmos has self seeded from Candy Stripe which was planted last year...


...isn't nature wonderful when left to get on with it?


This Cosmos is bipinnatus 'Rubenza', a lovely deep colour.


Viewing from above...


...you can see the pink Dahlia (Unknown) that has been growing in allotment for two years now winter and summer.


Positioned on the dining table with orchids in the background...


...awaiting the tea and cakes!

Arrangement by Irene Photographs by Brian.

Too see what other bloggers have in a vase on Monday please visit Cathy:Here

Friday 11 September 2015

Holidays, Mistakes and Impulse Buys!

We have just returned from an enjoyable holiday in the lovely town of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, relaxing, following in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas, sampling the produce of the hostelries in the evening and visiting gardens by day, more of these in future blogs.

Laugharne Castle.
On returning home we welcomed a visit from Cathy and the 'Golfer' of  Rambling in the garden  fame who were visiting gardens around this part of Worcestershire. It was very enjoyable to meet another blogger and talk gardens.
Time to have a look around the garden and see what has been flowering during the end of August while we were away and now into September.

The Dahlias are of course the colour stars of the garden at this time of year, D. 'Twyning's After Eight' with its faint veining of pink along with dark foliage was particularly admired by Cathy...


...less so D. 'Thomas A. Edison', whilst admiring the colour, the heads are big and they can suffer from heavy rain and wind.


You can see more of the Dahlias growing in the garden Here

In the raised beds there was also Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant, providing interesting leaf shape and colour...



...along with a self sown sunflower from the bird feeders.


The pots by the raised beds are planted with Ipomoea lobata, Spanish Flag, which has been disappointing this year, they have only just started to flower in the one pot,...


...much more rewarding has been the 'Impulse Buy' these Petunias from M&S, they have flowered continuously for weeks.


The Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' has migrated through into the white & green garden, where the Iceberg rose is enjoying a second flowering...


...with Japanese Anenomones...


...the Phlox paniculata 'White Admiral'...


...and the Leucanthemum x super bum, Shasta Daisy blending in beautifully with the Glass Daisy behind.


Through the arch into the centre border...


...the first Aster is in flower...


...Aster divaricatus accompanied by...


...the sparkling Solidago 'Fireworks.'


A recent addition is the Cirsium rivulare 'Trevor's Blue Wonder' the bees were there as soon as I had finished planting them.



The Agapanthus in pots either side of the Banana Bench are just starting to go over...


...along with Lilium tigrinum 'Flore Plena'...



...and L.'Landini'. I liked this lily enough to order some more two years ago...


...and this is 'The Mistake'!......they did give me a refund.


Back on the patio 'Mrs Popple' is showing off in the old tin bath.


I hope you have enjoyed the Holiday season, what 'Mistakes' or 'Impulse Buys' do you have in your garden?