The weeks are shepherding us towards winter, a time when finding suitable subjects for Six on Saturday becomes increasingly difficult. The Lord of the Prop, whose mighty hand rules us SoSers, has followers from all corners of the earth and beyond. For some of us spring is just getting into its stride, whilst for others the cold has already set in. In this neck of the woods we are experience some deliciously clement weather, the sun is shining and although the mornings have a rousing chill, there is enough midday warmth to warrant a partial striptease. Let us enjoy it whilst we can and get going on this week’s contribution.
After the hiatus in flowering, that I can only assume was caused by such heat and dry that nonplussed both plant and gardener, we are now making up for time. There are many first time bloomers this week, including this Cosmos ‘Purity’ which although short in stature is forgiven for its perfect flowers.
Top of the list for yesterday in the garden was getting my garlic planted. This is a cultivar called Dario which is new to me, but I liked the name and felt like trying something new. It is supposed to be strong-tasting and the word “excellent” was in the description. Yes, I do believe everything I read. We will have to wait until next summer to find out. For the literatii amongst you, yes Mr K I’m taking about you, this photo is pre-planting. It is posed. If I posted a picture of a pot of planted garlic (tongue twister, give it a go) it would look like, well, a pot full of compost. Rest assured that moments later the tubby cloves were pushed down to just cover their pointy heads. Now we wait.
Another later flowerer is Salvia atrocyanea, the Bolivian Sage. Blue flowers have a special place in my heart and this is no exception. Tall and vigorous once it gets going, this tuberous perennial is relatively hardy given a well-drained soil to snuggle up in.
The parent of this osteospermum didn’t make it through the various beasts of last winter/spring. Luckily I had a back up which flowered earlier in the year and now is having another go. Which has reminded me that I haven’t taken any cuttings. Hopefully it isn’t too late, I am living rather dangerously.
Now another plant that I have featured before, Fuchsia “Bornemann’s Beste”, which is also coming into its own at the moment. It was glistening bewitchingly in the sun today, closer inspection (with specs on) revealed that it is covered with tiny silver hairs. The gift that just keeps giving.
Lastly we have a tatty old leaf of Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’. It is featured for its pure resilience. I was certain there would be not a leaf left in the whole Shire after Storm Callum bullied his way through last week. A round of applause for FP please. You can let go now.
That’s it my lovelies, another SoS completed. Don’t forget to see what the rest of his disciples have been up to over at The Prop’s. Until next time …….
Off The Edge Gardening 
The picture of garlic bulbs didn’t surprise me because I don’t bury the bulbs. I plant them half and my father told me that it prevents them from rot … I do the same for onions and shallots
I also liked your fuchsias picture, a beautiful light on them!
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The lady I bought these from told me to bury them just below the surface, so like a good gal I did as I was told. There is a first for everything! I am sure your method works just as well. Dad’s are always right. 🙂
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Big, big aplause for ‘Forest Pansy’ – such a beauty!
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What?! Are they that pretty? I keep hearing about them, but I still am not impressed. Do they hold their bronze color in your climate? By summer in our climate, they look like the straight species stained with coffee. They look dingy. I sort of wonder what they look like in the Northwest. They must look better there. As I type this, there are two redbuds outside that had yellow foliage. I sort of think that they hold their foliar color better, but I am not certain. At least redbuds are becoming more popular here. They are such nice street trees, even if they do not last as long as more traditional trees.
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NICE! The Salvia atrocyanea looks AWESOME! I may have to try a few next spring. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, it is a great plant, definitely worth a try. 🙂
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Morning..Saw the Salvia two years running at our local walled garden. It’s stunning, I like it better than ‘Amistad. It was hardy in the walled garden not sure about my garden… Sue
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It is supposedly quite hardy, it made it through the snow last winter but was a little slow to get going this year. A beaut!
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A gorgeous sextet as usual, hope the weather there is as glorious as it is here.
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Thanks TT, it is indeed gorgeous here still. I am doing lots of washing!
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The Forest Pansy leaves are such a gorgeous colour and the Salvia has gone on the plants to get list
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They are especially lovely with the sun behind them, which luckily we are getting a lot of this week!
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Those fuschia blooms look like some sort of sea creature. Think they’d taste good in a stirfry?
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Definitely!
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Does garlic grow well in a pot? I’m guessing the answer is yes.
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