Another lovely sunny week, some days starting off rather misty, as they do in September, but the sun came shining through in the end. I feel it is going to be all change from today, lots of rain is forecast along with thunder and lightning for the coming week!
In spite of the weather, the garden marches on and more new flowers are opening, keeping company with the ones that have been flowering for most of the summer. Here are my six for this week……..
no 1
Golden rod or Solidago Fireworks is flowering at last in the side border by the field. It has slowly increased over the years and is now making quite a statement. I think it is well named, it does look like an explosion of fireworks.
No 2
The Pampas grass, also in the side border, by the field, has amazed me by putting up 6 plumes. Trees have grown around it so it is now in too much shade, I am surprised that it wanted to flower. I’ll have to get some work done so that it has more light in the future.
No 3
Trachelospermum jasminiodes, which is climbing up the pergola, has had a sudden burst of flowers now that I’ve cleared a lot of vegetation from the top of the pergola and it is now getting a lot more light.
The perfume is absolutely amazing and I think the flowers look like little propellers.
No 4
One minute there is nothing there, just an empty space, the next there are lots of large crocus like flowers, the Colchicums have decided it is time to flower.
I have two clumps, both of which could now be split, I’m not sure which variety these are, I should maybe buy some different varieties to add more interest.
No 5
The Hawthorn trees in the garden are now decorated with red berries, the holly berries still have to change colour and there are lots more berries to come!
No 6
I’ll finish this week with the Cyclamen hederifolium in the woodland, more and more flowers are opening and they are spreading around nicely.
I’m getting lots of white seedlings around the woodland, they look lovely in dark corners.
That’s it for this week, the promised rain is nice and steady, the garden will certainly appreciate it. Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations once again for hosting, please pop over to him and see what is happening in gardens around the world.
What lovely cyclamen, they must look a picture in the woods. I am also a big fan of Trachelospermum (but not of spelling it), such wonderful little flowers. Yes, a rainy week ahead, I believe. Waterproofs at the ready!
The cyclamen do look nice in the woodland Gill, the ants spread the seed and they pop up in unexpected places. I have already been caught out in a heavy shower while cutting some plants back, thank goodness I was wearing my waterproofs!
A lovely selection. I really like that Trachelospermum jasminiodes – we have the white variety but I think I prefer that yellow/cream one.
I bought my T jasminoides by mistake Graeme, I thought it was the straight white one! Still like it though and the perfume is just as good.
The Cyclamen look lovely, I struggle to get them to grow in my sandy soil. The Pampas reminds me that my mum always wanted one in the garden.
Thanks Rosie, the cyclamen grow in my heavy imroved clay with lots of leaf mould mulch, a woodlandy soil. I suppose the pampas is out of fashion these day, you don’t often see it, maybe I’m of ages with your Mum !
I saw some of those crocus at Centennial garden as well. Pampas grass is another story – I grew up in California where it is terribly invasive, a fire hazard, and generally not planted anymore, though I am sure one can still find it growing – hard to eradicate. Hope it does not get out of control where you are! The cyclamen are lovely!
The Colchicum always take me by surprise Elizabeth, they pop up so quickly. No need to worry about the pampas, over here they aren’t a fire hazard at all and I can say that mine isn’t the least bit invasive, maybe my heavy clay soil has something to do with that. Mine has been here for at least 25 yrs as hasn’t been any trouble at all, I think they were very fashionable in the 70s and 80s but you don’t see them planted very much now.
I took a walk this afternoon and there were lots of cyclamen too! I even found bulbils for my garden. Otherwise I really like the Golden rod
How lovely to see Cyclamen growing in the wild while out walking Fred, lucky you!
A lovely six this week. You’re the second person to feature solidago Fireworks in the last couple of weeks, I saw it somewhere recently but resisted buying it. Having seen your plant I think I might regret that!
Solidago fireworks has been well behaved for a long time Helen, just gradually increasing over the years. I think I’m safe in recommending it!
It’s hard to choose just one thing to pick out from your post as they are all so good. I’m only familiar with the standard golden rod that used to try to take over the border at my previous house, but the Fireworks version looks great.
I was a bit dubious about the golden rod when I first heard about it a number of years ago Catharine, but can say that I’ve never regretted it, so far!
The hawthorn berries are always a good harbinger of the Autumn. Perhaps just as well the different berries appear consecutively then the birds have a constant supply…for a while at least. I love the colchicums that just seem to appear from nowhere!
The Colchicums surprise me every year Denise, I should be used to it by now! There are still Holly, Euonymous and Ivy berries to come so there should be berries for the birds until the new year, providing they don’t eat them too quickly!
Your Colchicums are adorable, Pauline. Every time I see those little beauties I tell myself to plant some, but I never get around to it. I love the red berries on your Hawthorn. Perfectly autumn.
Thanks Catherine, I like them too. I must move some of them into the woodland to keep the cyclamen hederifolium company, I think they will go very well together. I believe there is a variety that is more pinkish, I must try and find some to plant with them.
Oh that Jasmine looks amazing! I love a fragrant Jasmine or honeysuckle! 🙂🌸 I remember that Pampas grass was a favourite of my great grandmother on my father’s side who was Welsh. She used to have one in her front garden in Australia. I was quite young when age was alive, it’s funny what you remember!
Plants and perfumes can certainly trigger memories Sarah, I’m glad my pampas reminded you of your great grandmother! I have a rose here that smells just like my mothers face cream when I was tiny!
Oooh pampas grass! I love it so but would have to baby it through our winters. Still might give it a try one of these days, if I can find a container that would go well with something so tall.
I still like it too Angela even though it seems to be out of fashion these days. I have found a dwarf variety on the RHS website, Cortaderia selloana Tiny Pampa which they say only grows 2 ft tall and can be grown in a pot, maybe this would suit you?
You have so many lovely plants, especially enjoyed the goldenrod and that crocus.xxx
The Colchicum are much larger than crocus Dina, I love the way they suddenly pop up without warning. The leaves come in the spring and die back in the summer so I have to remember not to plant anything in the empty space later. The common name for them is Naked Ladies because they flower without any leaves!x