Six on Saturday – Late Shift

Years ago, when we lived in Bristol and had a more hedonistic lifestyle, we would go to our local pub after work. There were others who did the same, it was a social and convivial diversion and we all went home for our pasty and chips after a couple of babychams. We were known as the Early Shift. Before our seats were cool, we were replaced by the Late Shift, who had dined and perhaps watched Eastenders before venturing out for a couple before closing time. Ocassionally we would still be there when the late shift arrived and sometimes the LS would arrive early, perhaps Dirty Den was being particularly annoying. This was most unsettling. And now I get to my point. I have often imagined the same system for Six on Saturday, there are some early contributors and some late ones, for reason of time zone or choice, usually consistent in their allotted time. Generally, I am an early bird, happy to post and get on with my oh, so, exciting day knowing I had done my duty.

Today, I have crossed the line into the mid to late shift. This SoS anomaly has come about as I have missed two weeks already and yesterday, Friday, when I normally prepare for my early contribution, I was busy chitty chatting, drinking house white and eating tacos with a good buddy of mine. I really didn’t want to miss another week, so here I am, late but with good intent.

I’m sure lots have already contributed to this week’s SoS, if you would like to explore the further reaches of the horticultural universe then pop over to our leader’s site, Jim at Garden Ruminations, and all will be revealed. We better shake a leg, the cut off time is almost upon us. Is there really a cut off time? Probably not.

The cuckoo in this nest of tyres, is an offspring of Begonia grandis ‘Claret Jug’ who spreads itself in nook and cranny all over the garden. The original owners of this “des res” were a group of underperforming strawberry plants who moved out as soon as their runners hit the ground. Still, one refuses to budge. I don’t hold out much hope.

Peggy and a tomato, still life.

The one surviving cosmos has eventually begun to flower. The foliage is looking quite splendid but it would certainly be improved with a few more blooms. Maybe soon.

Possibly my favourite pellie is the delicate and dark Pelargonium sidoides ‘Magenta Form’. It has staggered on for a few years now, in spite of my lacksidaisical treatment.

I always want to call this little lovely Cuphea purpurea, for obvious reasons, when it is actually Cuphea lanceolata. Apologies if I have sent you wrongly labelled seed. It all adds to the excitement.

Earlier in the year, this little beauty joined the flock. Salvia sagittata x ‘Blue Butterflies’ is the kind of colour that sets my heart afluttter. Not sure what that “x” is doing hanging there like a spare part. I’m sure one of you clever folk will know.

All done, Six on Saturday. Maybe next week back to my regular time, who knows, I might like it here.