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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!

... I'd love this beautiful blue-stemmed Sea Holly even more if it didn't smell so bad!

Since my last edit, I've come to the conclusion this Eryngium smells unpleasant in all weathers, and is also very attractive to Greenbottles!

Click on my comments and read what Sarah F had to say on the subject, and then read my reply below.

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you've said this. Fox/cat poo is exactly what I can smell, but didn't really like to mention that on my blog! Cats and foxes use my garden as a loo too. Thanks so much for your comment, it has made me smile, and the best one I've had in ages!

Click on link above for more Today's Flowers.


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BLUE SALVIA

I like the garden at this time of year.

It comes alive again, replenished by increased rainfall.

The dry months of Summer do it no favours.

Blue Salvia.

I need no convincing.

This plant I really, and I mean really, love.



Salvia 'Black and Blue'.



Salvia 'Mystic Spires'.

o

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MICHAELMAS DAISY - love, daintiness, after thought

When colour is beginning to fade in the late Summer garden, the Aster or Michealmas Daisy as it is commonly known, is just coming into bloom. This perennial, with its pale mauve daisy-like flowers is a real treat, not only to the human eye, but to butterflies, bees and hoverflies.

Aster comes from the Greek word Asteri, meaning star. This celestial body puts on an outstanding performance when planted in a sunny position. The variety I grow is quite happy to self-seed in cracks between paving. Its tall, and wiry stems would benefit from staking, to protect from wind damage, if only I could push a cane through concrete! Its foliage can be prone to mildew, but when growing in extreme dry conditions like mine, this just doesn't happen.

This is my 200th post!

The names of all who leave a comment on this post will be entered into a draw, to win a garden/flower themed mystery givaway.

I shall pick out a winner on September 30th, so there's plenty of time to get your comments in.

o

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... seed heads of the iris plant

o

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GEUM

Princess Juliana, a dark-green, furry leaved, clump forming perennial. The flower, in its second flush, sits on a wiry stem, is hot orange, which adds much needed colour to the front of the border in late summer.

A little gem!

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BUDDLEIA

The Butterfly Bush, a very much maligned and misunderstood deciduous shrub. Why, because it effortlessly self seeds on development land and derelict sites, through cracks and bricks in buildings, and along our railway lines and sidings.

A thug to some perhaps, but contrary to belief the form of Buddleia I have in my garden is no problem at all, and its dark pink flowers on arching stems are a welcome edition to any garden in late summer.

Every year, an established bush will need a hard cut back to 3 or 4 buds in early Spring.



Named after the Reverend Adam Buddle (1660-1715), the nectar rich flower spikes are loved by butterflies and other insects.

Silhouettes of a Comma and Red Admiral butterfly, or two fairies, you decide?