Autumn Round Up

It rained heavily overnight, a rain which was very welcome, now the sun shines and the garden glows in the morning light.  The flowers are making a last push before winter sets in -

The white of the double Feverfew in its second flush brings a bright spot of relief to the otherwise dying foliage all around it -

The Erysium, bowed down with the weight of water droplets, has performed brilliantly all summer and looks set to carry on for a few weeks yet.  I have already taken a few cuttings which have taken root, but I will take a few more whilst the weather is still warm.

The Nasturtiums are just hanging on although they are looking a bit moth eaten now, I have been collecting seed to ensure an equally good display next year.

The Pelargoniums are past their best now and will be replaced with bulbs, but not before I have taken plenty of cuttings for next years' display - sometimes the cuttings don't make it through the winter in my cold greenhouse, but I will give it a go anyway.

And finally, my little apple tree has bravely hung on to its fruit, it needs re-staking as the winds have taken their toll, but as it is quite a young tree, it is still quite pliable and will straighten without any trouble, I hope.

I bought a new Crocosmia whilst I was away, there was no label on it, but I just loved the darker markings on the flowerheads, I also bought some Asters -

Again, no label, but a very pretty pink, don't you think?

Also a more compact Aster which won't need staking.  There are plenty of unopened buds on this one, so plenty to look forward to.  This is practically the sum total of colour in my garden at the moment except for Dahlias which haven't had the best year.

Bulb planting is next on the agenda, mainly in containers, but last years bulbs will be put into the garden proper, then if they don't amount to much it won't really matter.  I like to give them a second chance, then if they don't perform - out they go.