Tag: Helenium

Calm, Sunny, Beautiful

Published on by Catherine23 Comments

This final full week of September has been glorious. The sun has shone its heart out and the winds have been calm, barely there. Still, it has been cool enough for only a lightweight jacket in the mornings, and just warm enough to throw it aside in the afternoons. You might think that I have taken advantage of this week of joyful weather to work like a Trojan in the garden, but you would be wrong. I’ve done little more than check in on a few cuttings, pull a few weeds, and remove most of the Cosmos. I have though, been doing other things.

The Cosmos plants would have continued for a few more weeks, but they were starting to look a little scrappy, and I needed their space for spring bulbs that were delivered yesterday. They’ve been wonderful this year, but it was time to say goodbye.

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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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Rushing into August

Published on by Catherine24 Comments

This is a very quickie post today. Too much to do, too much happening! Why is retirement so busy?!!

It’s been another dry week here, a mix of sun and cloud, not too cold, not too warm, with light winds. That’s suited me, but even so, I couldn’t get into the garden until late on Thursday.

But on with Six on Saturday!

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Sweltering

Published on by Catherine25 Comments

It’s just a quick post from me today as I’m heading out to a Family History Event. It’s been a hectic week, and tomorrow my daughter and her family from Aberdeenshire will be arriving for their annual July visit. I know they are hoping for better weather than we had last year, but I think there might be rain from Monday onwards. Today, it’s going to be hot, or perhaps ‘sweltering’ might be a more descriptive word; perhaps it’s best that I’m going to be indoors for much of the day!

Before I have to rush off, here’s this week’s Six on Saturday!

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Late Summer Gardening: What’s Growing in Week Two of August

Published on by Catherine20 Comments

I opened the blinds early one morning this week and looked down on the garden. ‘Autumn has definitely arrived’, I thought, before remembering that it was only the 5th of August. The garden still has plenty of flowers, but that morning the garden looked defeated as the rain hammered down and the wind howled. I kind of felt a bit like that myself.

The explanation from the experts is that Scotland has either been under, or on the cold side of the jet stream that has stubbornly refused to move out of the way to allow warm air to flow up from the south. I think most of us here have accepted that all hope of a real summer has vanished. My mind is now starting to turn to late winter and spring flowering bulbs and plants. There’s always something else to cheer up home gardeners, isn’t there.

Here is my contribution to this week’s Six on Saturday.

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