THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER
Summer is drawing to a close and despite some lovely weather last week, it's undeniable that the nights are drawing in fast. We've made the most of it by eating our lunch outside as much as possible and Little Bear likes to keep us company (and I know you all love a cat photo).
My first choice which is an actual plant though, is this grouping from the new borders I put in last Autumn and this Spring, based on the designs of Piet Oudolf. They've given me a lot of pleasure. The colours are big and bold and they are right in front of me when I go out the back door so I see them every day. Here Helenium 'Moorheim Beauty' seems to have been flowering for months.
Just beyond them is Echinacea Purpurea 'Fatal Attraction' whose flowers are bigger and brighter than the species (although age and the sun has bleached these). Piet really does know his plants (which I realise shouldn't come as any surprise).
At the back of the border is Selenium Wallichianum, an umbellifer with ferny foliage. I've never grown this plant before, but its going to become a favourite.
At the front of the border, and flopping all over the place is Sedum 'Matrona' which is a fabulous colour and I will try to forgive it's unruly habit.
At the other end of the border (the stable I use as my garden shed breaks it half way along its length), seed grown Knautia and Liatris are being out gunned by Aster Little Carlow, which like the Helenium has been flowering for ages. I love how this side of the border is all blues and burgundy whereas the other side is hotter shades. I wish I could say this was carefully planned, but it wasn't.
I'm finishing with a picture of a Conference pear. The tree was planted last Spring and it has 6 fruits. I just need to work out when to pick them.
I've also done my bulb order this week. The tulips growing in the ground looked to me like they had tulip fire last year so I kept it simple and bought parrot tulips for pots and a mixture of alliums for the central bed in the Rose garden.
That's all for this week. Thank you for stopping by. and don't forget all the Six on Saturday posts can be found on Garden Ruminations where Jim collates all our garden ramblings.
Great photos of the garden which is looking lovely. Obviously the cat photo wins though!
ReplyDeleteObviously 😁
DeleteLittle Bear looks so content. Helenium 'Moorheim Beauty' creates such an impact in the garden. Even when fading, the individual flowers are beautiful. Your grouping in the new border is working well for you. I like the addition of Selenium Wallichianum at the back.
ReplyDeleteI've tried growing that Helenium before but it was probably over shadowed by other plants and didn't come back. This lot have been great though.
DeleteGlad you've had success now. :)
DeleteAster Little Carlow is looking in top form this week, and how good that it has been going some time.
ReplyDeleteThey were such tiny little plants when they arrived last year mail order. P9s I think that size is called - and just look at them now.
DeleteI do love the Aster, the colour is a must for my wish list.
ReplyDeleteIt's very pretty. There are lots of asters in those mauvy blues so I'm sure you'll be able to find one.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we love cat photos! But this week I also like heleniums and these ember colours
ReplyDeleteI like the look of your Selenium, that could be just what I need for my late summer border, and the aster Little Carlow which has made a good clump for you.
ReplyDeleteI need some Selenium! I’ve tried from seed, without success. Were yours plants? Your border has come on really well.
ReplyDelete‘Little Carlow’ is only just showing some colour here.
Ann, the quilting gardener
Cat belly :-D As for the Conference pears, it depends on if you plan on eating or storing them! For 6 of them, you can probably afford to wait a few more weeks until they start getting a golden look to them. From past experience, I've learned that it's better to pick a little earlier and let them soften than to pick them late and end up with brown yucky cores!
ReplyDelete