Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Hips, Haws and Seedheads


Saddington Reservoir
Not far from where I live is Saddington Reservoir, I decided to pay it a visit yesterday to see what the situation was with the water level.  You could count the rain we have had this summer on the fingers of one hand.  The picture above shows how low the water level is.  The grassy area in the foreground is usually covered with water.  There were only a handful of birds on the water, a couple of swans and some Canada geese.  Around the reservoir is a wooded area, quite wild, with old bog willows and brambles, but I did find quite a few things to take pictures of.
Thistles gone to seed

Ripening hawthorn berries
Cow parsley seedheads
Queen Annes lace scattered in the hedge
Convolvulus twining its way through the brambles
An ancient gate post all weathered and worn
Rose hips beginning to ripen

And this little beauty standing all alone in the middle of a clearing
 - I have no idea what it is - I have checked through all my reference books - and there is no sign of it.  I think it must be a garden escapee, maybe brought in by birds, there are red berries under the petals, it looks like some form of shrimp plant.  Can anyone help me identify it for me?

All the above pictures signify one thing for me - Autumn is on its way.
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8 comments:

  1. Sunray Gardens16 August 2011 at 11:33

    You are right Elaine. Autumn is sure close. I have already started my fall gardening for here.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  2. Janet16 August 2011 at 13:50

    Elaine, I think your mystery plant is Leycesteria Formosa otherwise known as the Himalayan Honeysuckle. We have always grown it and it self seeds madly.
    Everything in your post is looking very autumnal bit the same as here. In fact the trees have looked brown since we had these winds several months ago. I like atumn colours but not too early! Janet

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  3. elaine rickett16 August 2011 at 16:05

    Janet - I have checked it out and yes you are right - Himalayan Honeysuckle it is - definitely an escapee. It says in the book it needs full sunlight and this was in the middle of a thicket. (They don't always get it right)!

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  4. Anonymous17 August 2011 at 00:47

    Autumn is being held at bay for the moment here in the NE U.S., and we have been blessed with rain in the last couple days. I, stupidly, went for a walk through the garden, without gloves on, and found the angry sting of a mad bee! SO I have been out of the garden, off to hospital for the sting and the result is I had to have my rings cut off because of swelling. Oh the dangers in the garden!! Looking through your photos and blog is almost as good as a walk in the garden!

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  5. ann17 August 2011 at 04:36

    I do love the English countryside, and I love seeing it up close and personal. Have no idea what the mystery plant is.

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  6. Anonymous17 August 2011 at 14:22

    Wonderful photos! There's certainly been a distinct autumnal feel to some early mornings lately. Flighty xx

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  7. elaine rickett17 August 2011 at 14:55

    Thank you for all your comments - I have felt the chill on my early morning bike rides (reckon the thermal underwear beckons)

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  8. Diane at My Cottage Garden18 August 2011 at 10:16

    Yes, we are definitely feeling what my husband calls 'the fall air' starting to come in. And it's dark in the morning!

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