OOO
t

13/08/2011


my photos

LATE SUMMER FAVOURITES AND A 300TH POST GIVEAWAY

This is my 300th post so I'm having another giveaway!

The giveaway prize will not necessarily be influenced by my love of the garden, leaving it open to everyone.

If you'd like to enter, comment on this post and I'll pick out a winner at random on Sunday 11th September.

Good luck!



This year the Sweetpeas have been very slow to flower, and slow too to even climb up the poles.

Maybe because they're Elegant Ladies, and can be seen here proudly showing themselves off with a 50p jelly-mould!

Monty Don suggests Sweetpeas are to be picked every 10 days.

I guess I should take his advice.



Big 'n blousy Gladioli.

I've never ever grown these before, so I took a chance in planting some up in large pots.

I stole the idea from Carol Klein, after seeing her do the same in her own garden at Glebe Cottage.

They're doing really well, and come as a highly recommended addition to a late Summer garden, and the good thing about having them in pots is you can move them around when you so desire.

It seems the odd spike may become a little top-heavy, like the one above which flopped over in today's blustery conditions.

I snipped it off, and it's now looking drop-dead gorgeous indoors!



Another new discovery for me this year is Helenium.

It's orange colour is just perfect at this time of year.

I definitely plan to introduce more to my garden next year, and hopefully divide this one if it gets through the Winter?



Dahlia, an old favourite of mine, especially the dark-leaved varieties.

I confess to having bought five new young plants this year.

I'm by no means an expert gardener, and all becomes hit 'n miss when it comes to overwintering them.

This year I made the mistake of placing a couple out in the borders, later discovering I'd inadvertently given the resident earwigs the go-ahead for a good nibble - also all five were sprayed with a washing-up liquid solution to rid an infestation of blackfly.

All were rescued in the nick of time and somehow all managed to survive their ordeal, and each in turn are giving a lively display of colour.



Another plant now an array of flowers is the Japanese Anemone.

You'd be forgiven for thinking its pastel tones would fail to fit in with the bolder shades of late Summer.



I've small pockets of space around the garden to grow a small selection of vegetables.

Today I've picked a generous trug full of Runner Beans and another 1lb in weight of Raspberries.

No sign of any Summer Squash as yet, and the Tomatoes are slow to ripen.

I watched that Blackbird in the photo be such a good father to his broods this year, and have helped him out with a few sultanas here and there!



I've seen, and heard the foxes again on a number of occasions.

The neighbour's terrier lets me know when he and his sibling are around.

It goes ballistic!


11/08/2011


my photo

HOVERFLIES

There are about 6000 species and 200 genera in the family.

I get to see many varieties in my own garden, including this rather impressive one, which I believe to be Volucella zonaria!

Please let me know if you know otherwise?


07/08/2011


my photos

THE BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT AND A GIVEAWAY WINNER

Beautiful Anchusa with its gentian-blue flowers.

It's a hardy perennial, mainly upright with an annoying tendency to flop!

It's still one of my favourites, and over a long flowering period it keeps the bees and hoverflies happy too.



It's the last day to get your Big Butterfly Count in.

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, I entered my findings today!

2 x Large White
3 x Small White
1 x Red Admiral
3 x Gatekeeper
1 x Common Blue
1 x Peacock
1 x Comma

That's what I noted down from my own garden, over a 15 minute period.

Has anyone spotted a Painted Lady this year?



Thanks to all for entering into my giveaway, commenting on a favourite perennial of yours.

With names scribbled on paper, scrumpled into tiny balls, I picked out a winner.

Tales from a Cottage Garden

Congratulations, it's you!

A favourite perennial - well it has to be the cottage garden favourite - the lupin - beautiful and tough as old boots!

Couldn't agree more Jeanne!


03/08/2011


my photo

CERINTHE MAJOR PURPURASCENS

I question why it has taken me so long to introduce Cerinthe to my garden?

I've always loved the look of this plant, after seeing it featured in many gardening books and magazines over the years.

It's a half hardy annual, and it's very easy to grow from seed.

Just look at the results - it's so beautiful with its hints of blue and pink.

Try growing some, and see for yourself.

If it decides not to seed around, I'm definitely buying another packet from Thompson & Morgan.