Seriously, November already? I’m not sure I’m prepared. I don’t mean for frosts and other inclements, I mean ready for, well, how can I put it, gloom. Each sunny day is grasped in a needy way, a life raft in a sea of drear. The garden, of course, couldn’t give a monkey’s about the weather, it seems to battle through most things. We are getting to the bits and bobs, but there are enough to create a SoS for this and perhaps a few more weeks without getting tenuous (my superhero power) or desperate. If you would like to explore our beloved meme pop over to Jim’s site and the mysteries will be revealed. Shall we proceed?

The nasturtium, uninvited but most welcome guest, is showing little sign of slowing down. Don’t ever let me down, little fellow, I’m not sure I would get over it.

Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is having a last minute flurry, popping out a bloom every so often, just enough to keep us interested and wanting more.

Shame on me. This is Rudbeckia ‘Irish Eyes’. I grew it from seed, lovingly potting it on and then forgot it. It has every right to be annoyed with me, even more so because it is an annual. All I can do to recompense is to collect seed and be more attentive next year.

We are waiting for the goldfinches. Patiently.

Sometimes I spread myself horticulturally thin. I love my potted plants, they have their glorious moment and then are shoved into the “consider later” corner. Perhaps a little later than I should, I remember and they are rescued just in time for flowering, without any considering at all. A case in point is this Nerine bowdenii ‘Bicolor’. I think I got away with it.

Salvia corrugata. I rest my case.
That is your lot. We made it.
The photo of the thistles in the setting sun (or no sun at all because it’s autumn) is very nice. And the rose ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is a must have
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Thanks Fred
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Great arty teasel shot. I hope the goldfinches arrive.
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I have no teasels, but the goldfinch have been enjoying my verbena bonariensis today. Always fun to see. Salvia corrugata is rather a beauty. I can see how it got its name.
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We must keep the faith that they will find us, of course they might be popping over when we are not looking!
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Wondrous! I just realized I need nasturtiums!
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You do!
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Here, RRIB (work it out) is napping before deep sleep but I have a late flush of Peace which may survive for four days.
I’ve suddenly realised that I also have a dearth of goldfinches, to add to my dearth of greenfinches. Mind you, no teasels here now.
And, for the unafflicted (defined as those who have yet to be afflicted*), I can attest to your tenuocity*.
Happy?
*Those in the know know that some people can never be wrong. For it is their divine right to be right. They are tenuous in accepting that right. Some unfortunates may be unable to appreciate this inevitability and so are afflicted with imperception. OK? Anyone for tea? 😏
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I’ll have a mince pie
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Q: one word answer! Has OH experienced (orally, not visually) one of those mince pies?
A: required by midday Monday 4/11.
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Yes
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Some lovely finds, your nasturtiums photo reminded me that I have a pocket of seed that I picked up from my own plants today.
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Ha! Spoken like a true gardener. 😀
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The Salvia corrugata picture stopped me in my tracks, I very nearly put an almost identical picture in my six, went for errant arborists instead.
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SoS synchronicity! Has your corrugata just started or has it been going for a while. Does it survive outside down there. Mine survived in ND for quite a few years in the wild, but eventually succumbed. None have made it through a winter here. Too clayey perhaps.
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I know what you mean about the gloom. That ‘When the lights come on at four oclock’ feeling that Philip Larkin wrote about so eloquently. We all need big posies of gleaming nasturtiums at this time of the year. And a greenhouse full of nerines. That is a lovely one, it is very simillar to one I have caled ‘Lollipop’. And I love the intense blue of S. Corrugata.
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Is teasel grown intentionally? I had always considered it to be a weed, perhaps because it so often grows with other weeds, including the dreaded milk thistle. Then, I realized that, not only do some find its bloom to be appealing, but also that it is not too aggressively invasive. I am sorry about the gloom. For us, November is the beginning of autumn, which is the end of the long, dry and warm summer. It is sort of a relief. We just got our first rain of the rainy season, although there is no more in the forecast. At least we know that more is on the way.
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