Tag: Aster

Not Quite Autumn

Published on by Catherine28 Comments

There’s a distinct chill in the morning air and by 7:30pm, the day is slipping away and darkness is creeping in. Ahead is the season characterised by fallen leaves, nippy mornings, the aroma of pumpkin spice and tempting mugs of hot chocolate. I don’t mind rainy days as long as I know that sunshine will follow. I don’t mind misty mornings because the wind wont be blowing. Of course we don’t always get the weather or seasonal conditions that we want, but I’m already looking out warm sweaters and cosy socks, scarves and gloves. I’ve placed an order for a few seasonal pumpkin spice candles and perhaps, just almost, I’m looking forward to autumn.

The garden still has pockets of lovely strong colour, but on the whole, I can see it fading. By next month most of it will have gone and it will be time to prune, lift and divide perennials, and plant bulbs for next year. But for the moment, I can enjoy what’s in bloom and plan ahead for those misty mornings and perhaps a few lazy indoor days. However, lazy days are not happening right now, so here is my choice of six photographs for Six on Saturday:

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Autumn Glory

Published on by Catherine28 Comments

I hope no one objects, especially our host, Jim, but I’m combining two weeks of six photos this week. One should have been posted last weekend, but in life, things happen. With me, it was a recurrence of a neck problem. Photos were ready, but I wasn’t.

I’m combining both because this will be my last week of Six on Saturday posts until next year, either in late winter or early spring, I expect what happens in the garden might decide. I hope to continue to post when I have anything worthwhile to show and say, you never know – I might even manage to get a few more photography posts online. That category has needed attention for a long time.

I have a growing number of projects to complete at home over the next few weeks, then during the October school holidays one of my daughters and her family will be arriving for a visit and finally during November through early December, I’ll be flying off for a few weeks, visiting another of our daughters and her family in the US.

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One Productive Gardening Day

Published on by Catherine31 Comments

Monday was a day of gardening from morning until late afternoon with my husband doing all the heavy work (as usual) while I potted on seedlings in the greenhouse and supervised (not as easy as it sounds!) the removal or lifting and dividing of plants. In general, the borders were tidied up, weeds removed and the grass was cut and edged. Pots of summer bedding were emptied and made ready to receive winter and spring-flowering bulbs. That one productive day cheered me up and I felt we’d achieved a lot, though a quick glance at my list in the evening reminded me that there was so much more to deal with. But that’s gardening, isn’t it, it never ends.

I also managed to find time to take a few photographs and I’m glad I did because by Tuesday the rain was thundering down and it’s been wet every day since then, including today where we have an amber alert for rain.

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Blending of the Seasons

Published on by Catherine27 Comments

From the window, and it’s window viewing only at the moment for a couple of reasons, it looks as though the summertime fairy has touched the garden with her flower wand. Most of the roses are in bloom right now, opened out by the recent heat and rudbeckias, dahlias, fuchsia and asters add to the show. It’s a mix of autumn and summer. I know this won’t last too long, but at this moment in time, it’s there to be enjoyed.

But why window viewing? First, it’s pouring rain, secondly (and more importantly) there’s a large wasp nest in the garden. I won’t go near the garden right now, it’s September, they’re active and very aggressive. I’m keeping my distance until the nest has been removed. My husband had a double sting this week, and that’s enough of a warning for me.

As for the weather, our temperatures dropped to a very cool 13C yesterday and autumn sweaters are back in style. Summer has moved on until next year.

So this week’s Six on Saturday selection relies on a few photos taken earlier in the week, before the sting and the nest discovery.

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Six on Saturday 2020 17-10

Published on by Catherine25 Comments

On Monday morning a mist was rolling down towards us from the fields behind us. The garden was still and silent, except for one little bird who was happily chirping away. It was raining – a steady, fine drizzle – the type of rain that you think isn’t too wet to work in, but soaks through everything in minutes.

Rain also has the effect of intensifying colours – it’s all to do with refraction, though I won’t pretend to understand anything about that. I went indoors to collect my camera and took a few shots of some wet foliage before reminding myself that the camera isn’t waterproof.

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