I had assumed that this would be a post dominated by Autumn leaves rather than flowers, but here I am again, starting a GBBD post with the faithful pot marigolds. Their accompanying tomatoes have long since been relegated to the compost heap, but they are still going strong.
The Dahlias are slowing down, but still providing colour for house and garden. It feels as if I have spent all year trying to capture the dark subtle beauty of ‘Rip City’ – and failing – but it looks as if I’ll get few more goes before getting to grips with lifting and drying the tubers. Incidentally, this will be my first year doing this, so any tips welcome… Sand or compost? Shed or garage? How moist?
Having posted fairly recent pictures of fiery Autumn vine leaves and shimmering Miscanthus, not to mention Autumn drama at Westonbirt Arboretum, I found myself being more drawn to the old stalwarts. For some reason I really fell for this dying ‘Hillcrest Royal’ flower, which reminded me of a Teddy Bear, of all things. And the new flower emerging, despite its bright colour, seemed vaguely sinister. I must have been in a strange mood…
I’ve had Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’ growing in a pot, because I love it too much to do without it but didn’t have a sunny spot for it. Not totally successful, its too tall really, but I have been getting lots of blooms for the house from it.
Another not wholly successful experiment was growing Morning Glory up a post on the pergola. It didn’t really get enough sun, and the foliage has been manky for months, but it does keep flowering, and at this time of year the flowers belie their name and stay open all day.
At the risk of boring everyone silly with Dahlia pictures, and of plants I’ve already posted about too, I’d really appreciate it if someone could help me identify this little beauty. I’ve no idea what happened to the plant label, it did have one, honest, and I have no written record of buying it because it was a replacement for one no longer available, agreed on the phone. I’m still trying to work out whether I can use my blog as a planting record as well. I know many people add planting plans and lists etc. I am playing around with a plant directory plus calendar idea, but not getting very far. In the meant time I guess I have to put up with losing the occasional label, or even whole notebook (!), and forgetting where I planted the tulips until I dig them up when planting bulbs…
There is some fresh blood (so to speak). I finally succumbed and bought an Aster, my very first. It was an impulse buy when I was looking for plumbing fittings, Aster Samoa, which seems a somewhat inappropriate name really. It is a little on the stiff and dumpy side, but does a lot of what I wanted it to, which is help prolong the display on the patio by adding a burst of colour. Next year I hope to get hold of Aster divaricatus, which seems altogether more refined.
The Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ has just started flowering. I actually prefer the young purple foliage, and rather regret that by this time of year it has dull green leaves, but that seems a little churlish, as it does add a welcome haze of white at the back of the borders.
Finally, I feel I have to acknowledge the presence of Fuchsias in the garden. I’m not really a fan, but my Father-in-law is, and as part of learning to garden with others, I have added a couple he is fond of. The one above, though, will always have a place in whatever garden I happen to have. Failing that, it will live in a pot. I don’t know what its called, but it is a cutting from a cutting from the Fuchsia my Nan grew in her front garden. I loved my Nan, and loved this Fuchsia as a child, so it gets space because of what it reminds me of rather than for what it is.
I think I need to become a little more selective about what goes in these GBBD posts, but thank you for sticking with me if you have got this far! Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens (Thank you Carol!). Check out her blog for links to other GBBD posts from around the world.
STOP PRESS! When scrabbling around on the patio (don’t ask…) I found a plant label for the mystery Dahlia! I can’t quite read my writing (!), but it appears to be something like ‘Durnham Royal’ – ‘Durham Royal’? Something to go on, anyway…
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Lovely macro shots. Lots of color and loads of bloom in October. Your morning glory is really blue. I got my first flower on 6 vines just last week and was ready to take the vines down.
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Hi Donna, thank you for your kind comments. What I didn’t show was how manky the plant itself is! I was about to rip it out when I saw the flower. I think I will try again in a sunnier place next year, the colour is so gorgeous, but the foliage – ugh!
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Your pictures take my breath away! Just beautiful flowers and great shots.
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Thank you Tina! This blogging lark has been wonderful for making me get my camera out and try to learn more.
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Janet, What a beautiful blog name! Makes me feel like eating your flowers. Your flowers shots are gorgeous. Thank you for coming by. I really didn’t have much to show comparatively.
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Thank you, having seen some of your own photos that means a lot!
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I love every dahlia you have posted today! All of your photos are so pretty.
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Hi Darla, thank you! Good luck with the wedding!!
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Hi!
A first time visitor – your flower photos are absolutely stunning! I’m a newbie to the world of Dahlias, having avoided them in the past for their high maintenance ways. But, then I went to a Dahlia festival and I am sold! Happy Bloom Day! And, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
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Hi Kate, thank you for stopping by. I always avoided Dahlias as too much work too. Be careful, it is a dangerous addiction! There is always just one more that you must have…
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aloha,
what a very nice tour of your garden this morning, i enjoyed the beautiful flowers and the photography is outstanding especially the morning glory it just glows – great job!
thanks for sharing that with us
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Hi Noel, thank you for dropping by! And given how amazing your own photos are I am slightly stunned by the complement, thank you.
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Hello Janet and thank you for stopping by my blog !
Yo have some BEAUTIFUL blooms here and your photos are spot on : )
I am in love with that Morning Glory .. what a dramatic colour that is .. well done girl !
Joy
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Thank you Joy. It is a rather gorgeous blue, isn’t it!
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Great post! I don’ t think anyone will fault you for posting lots of Dahlia pics. I love those cosmos and morning glories. I’m with you on the Eupatorium, they are gorgeous when young, then kind of blend in during the summer, but are charming in flower!
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Hi Scott, thank you, and thanks for dropping by!
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Lovely photos as always, Janet. I’m new to Dahlias this year, I’ve always considered them hard work for little return, however the 3 I planted in spring have been flowering since June; I’m going to experiment leaving them in the ground (mine is very free draining), though I will probably move them in spring as the colour would be better else where, I will be buying more for next year.
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Yep, that’s how it goes, you start with one or two, and then can’t stop… So much variety in colour and form! I do envy you being able to leave them in the ground though…
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The pictures are incredible! The colors are so saturated!
…your ‘vaguely sinister’ plant made me think of “Audrey II”, from “Little Shop of Horrors”!
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Shyrlene, that’s it! “Audrey II”!! Thank you!
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Enjoyed seeing your October flowers Janet. I usually have Cosmos ‘Purity’ growing at the allotment but tried a pink one this year – not quite the same :( I think that your mystery dahlia is ‘ Downham Royal’.
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Hi Anna – thank you! Yes, ‘Downham Royal’. Must try harder to write legibly when doing plant labels… I grew a pink cosmos this year too, but you really can’t beat ‘Purity’.