Earlier this week, I was swanning around the garden looking for SoS inspiration and my OH asked why I wasn’t taking any pictures of the violas. “I’m saving them for when I’m desperate, later in the month”, I explained. “Aren’t you allowed to repeat your subjects?”, he queried. “No fear!” I exaggerated, gasping for maximum drama, “I will be struck off the register, sent to Coventry and our leader Jim at Garden Ruminations will give me one of his virtual withering looks.” “Humpf”, said OH. He was undoubtedly impressed by my self control and discipline and my ability to abide by the rules of a strict and uncompromising sect.
Of course, that is a load of nonsense, we are all pretty flexible and inclusive in these parts. Which is just as well as I have repeated, on more than one occasion, and most especially today, from earlier in this year and decade. Just to make a point. Just to reinforce how tolerant to any form of rule bending we are in the SoS clan.
The lady do protest too much. Time to move on.
The Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’ is always late to lose its leaves and this year is no exception, in spite of the strong winds we’ve suffered. Possibly needs a trim, but not before it is fully unclad. It is on my list.
There are many soggy plants in the garden, including this nasturtium, which had been climbing up the Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’. I have no doubt it will have spread its seed and will return to colonise again next year. No sadness here.
Never, ever mess with a marigold, they are as tough as they come. You will always lose an arm wrestle with a marigold, you have been warned.
After one of the dahlia seedlings died back in its pot, an interloper was revealed. If I am not mistaken this is Verbascum olympicum. How, why and where it came from is a complete mystery. This giant cannot stay here. I will have to gently extract it and rehome it in a more appropriate place. Like next door.
Sometimes, after a frosty spell, I am unsure whether something is just frozen in time or has indeed shrugged off the intense cold. This Digitalis isabelliana ‘Bella’ is one such case. Doesn’t seem bothered at all. But perhaps it is a death mask.
Another late leaf dropper is this Ribes sanguineum ‘King Edward VII’, although I don’t recall it ever being this tardy before. I also don’t remember it giving such a beautiful autumnal/winter show before. Let us reconvene this time next year and compare notes.
There we have it, another six, another Saturday. Stay safe and happy.
Off The Edge Gardening 
You could have teased a bit with a photo of Violas! 😂
Nevertheless, this week, your Six perfectly sums up the autumnal colours.
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🥰🥰🥰
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Lovely autumnal colour, even the marigold is joining in with the theme!
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Haha, at the moment it looks like what you see from me today will be what you will get until March/April! I try to find different ways to show things, but then there is always the Botany Greenhouse on campus to provide some color as the winter which has not yet officially begun, is now in full force. I also have a few things to trim now that I can see their bones. Unfortunately, I will be standing knee deep in snow. I will put it off until Christmas week when I am off work. Even marigolds can’t compete with a foot of snow! They are my hardiest bloomers though.
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I think you have a far more value reason that I do!! The Botany Greenhouse idea sounds perfect to me.
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Blow rules. I would like to see your violets now. That is a very brave little digitalis. And good luck on digging that verbascum up. They hang on in there with roots of steel, especially as they get bigger. I dislike those mouldy blotting paper leaves almost as much as you dislike Cotoneaster horizontalis.
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I’m rubbish with rules, it is unlikely I will change now. As for the verbascum, I might have to tip out the pot in the spring. It can stay until then. Not my favourite either.
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Oh my, half of my six are pansies and a viola (so they are redundant in the same week). Flowering currant is native here, but it is not named after a deceased English King.
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Your pansies were lovely!
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Thank you, but I know what the best of my six is.
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Wow, that ‘Bella’ Digitalis is incredible! And the colors on the Ribes sanguineum are stunning! I’m pleased to hear rule-bending is allowed among the SoS clan, as I won’t have outdoor blooms now until at least March. The winter garden here is interesting, but it’s so cold. Happy “Six”!
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We do what we have to do! I’m sure no one minds. Keep warm and you can share whatever blooms I have.
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Many lovely autumnal colours! I like the currant – I assume that would be a good one to go near a fence or at the back of a border.
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Definitely a back of border shrub, I have had to prune loads off it this year, it is growing like a bean stalk (just for a seasonal panto reference)!
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Right, I’m rolling up a sleeve tomorrow morning and going in search of a marigold. I love the colours of the leaves of the Ribes.
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Good luck, don’t forget to warm up first!
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I remember you. Yes you were always a bit of a rule bender, so thanks very much for that. You’ve still got the violas up your sleeve for desperate times!
Lovely to read and see your selection once again.
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And very nice to see you again! I was only wondering about you the other day. Hope all is well with you and yours.
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I’ve a surprise Six-on-Saturday just now. It’s time to get back at it!
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