It has been a couple of weeks since I joined in with the Six on Saturday shenanigans; general apathy and specific holiday being the reasons. The sunny spells yesterday inspired me to pull myself together and venture forth into the mellay. The ground is sodden and the garden is looking rather unkempt; apathy and holiday also being the reasons. Another reason, which conveniently rhymes, is the season. Autumn. A time of natural decay, of hunkering down, of slowing. I know it is a favourite time for many, but not for me. For me it is the promise of damp and cold days. I don’t want damp and cold anymore. Perhaps I will come and visit one, or more, of my antipodean SoS colleagues. If you wish to hear more tales of murk or sun from across the world, pop over to Jim’s site, our venerable leader, and all will be revealed. Shall we shake a leg?
First we have Nerine bowdenii ‘Bicolor’ which has done me the great honour of flowering. Unlike my others which are steadfastly under-performing. Perhaps they will be shamed into making a move.
The glorious thug Diascia personata has been kept slightly less rampant than last year, but still there are unfortunates that lie beneath. She met her match with a couple of ipomoea and they have had a wonderful tussle over the last few months.
The sunflowers have been magnificent this year, now the skeltons grace the garden. I was wondering if the seed have fallen to the ground or been eaten by the squabbling sparrows. Maybe a little of both.
The Salvia uliginosa has collapsed onto the large dark-leaved, winter surviving dahlia. The sky blue flowers are looking beautiful against the chocolate foliage of its supporter.
Next Salvia leucantha, either Midnight or Purple Velvet, I’m not quite sure. I’m glad it eventually turned up to the party.
As we were heading off on holiday we commented on how the autumn colour of the acers was particularly good this year. Storm Ciarán sorted that one out.
That is another week done, I hope it finds you well and warm.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Very nice shot of the Diascia personata ! Love the droplets….
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I’m scratching my head, trying to work out what you might think rhymes with Autumn. Now I’m off to enjoy the roses.
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My Nerines declined to bloom this year, so well done to yours.
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Late flowers are such a joy at this time of year, any excuse to get out into the garden! Salvia uliginosa is such a beautiful blue, well worth its place and your Nerine is so pretty.
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The Nerine is a beauty. Late season color is a mood booster.
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Apathy, or is it overwork in other people’s gardens? Nothing like a bit of sorting out to lift the winter blues, get out there, or even in your lovely greenhouse and do just one thing. Then come inside and say well done to yourself, or else you can break down one job into lots of segments as I did with repotting the auriculas, and you will get lots of well dones Sis. Chin up!
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It has been rather damp and gloomy of late. I love the sparkliness of the Diascia personata in that photo and I may have to look into these Nerine things. Lovely.
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Enjoyed seeing the Japanese Maple fall color! Hopefully a few more sunny days will find you.
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I’ve given up on nerines even though they are so lovely. A lovely collection of plants to keep us all going!
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That’s a lovely sunflower skeleton, mine are all black!
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good luck with getting through November!
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If your Salvia leucantha is either Midnight or Purple Velvet, so is mine. It certainly isn’t Santa Barbara, which is what I bought it as. There was nothing for my Salvia uliginosa to collapse onto so it ended up on the ground behind something, so I can’t see it. You’ve inspired me to try to rescue it, as in tomorrow, when it’s light.
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So many lovely flowers still! My nerines are still dissatisfied with me somehow, and give me “you must be joking” looks when I suggest that maybe blooming is a thing, so I applaud yours.
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Ha! The other two are still not making any effort at all. I should be happy for small mercies. 🙂
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