On a balmy late-summer morning I took my camera around the garden seeking auguries of the true autumn as opposed to the false one we experienced as a consequence of the heatwave of a month ago.
We have two crab apple trees in the front garden, the fruit of which have, until last winter, nourished our blackbirds throughout the colder months. During the last such season they eschewed these offerings. It remains to be seen whether these members of the Malus genus will this year fall untasted to the ground.
This blue lace cap hydrangea is borne by a regenerated stem on a plant apparently finished for the year.
Varieties of wilting phlox have also rejuvenated,
as have drought-dried dahlias, while
blooming begonias burgeon once more.
Dwarf sunflowers grown from seed have emerged from the soil.
Pale lilac colchicums, or autumn crocuses, nod to their season,
as do Rosa Glauca hips
and the barren seed heads of some clematises.
Virginia creeper’s mantle draping the south wall of the back drive is turning to its warm autumnal hues.
Crown Princess Margareta continues climbing over the rose garden covered bench,
and Special Anniversary has come round again.
White solanum and purple clematis clamber over the dead elm trunk.
This evening Jackie drove us all over to Spice Cottage in Westbourne where we dined with Becky and Ian. Flo, Dillon, and Ellie remained to stay with our daughter and son-in-law for a couple of nights.
I will feature this event with a couple of photographs tomorrow.
Lovely photos as always, Derrick! āŗļø
Thanks very much, John
You are welcome.
Your photographs are just gorgeous. Each flower looks beautifully bright and healthy, which Iām sure is down to the careful nurturing you and Jackie have provided.
Thank you so much, Sue. I am particularly pleased you like them
Beautiful blooms.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
So glad to see the surviving beautiful blooms š
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
That’s a bumper crop of rose hips! Homemade rose hip jelly and crab apple jelly were a tradition in my family when I was growing up. The Virginia creeper is another prime example of nature’s perfect patterns.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful gallery of the beauty of your garden, Derrick. Thank you for sharing.
Much appreciated, Maj
Autumnal gardens are so beautiful.
Thank you so much, Yvonne
Miraculous rejuvenations! I’m curious about whether the hydrangea stem regenerated on its own or if it had help.
No help at all. That particular bush was not even watered during the long dry spell in which it continued to flower. So perhaps it is a miracle. Thanks very much, JoAnna
It looks as though autumn is still standing on tiptoes, tapping on summer’s shoulder. Same in Maine, but I expect we are a bit ahead of you. You’ll have a couple of quiet days with the young family away.
A beautifully apt image, Laurie. Yes it is a bit weird without them š
I love your description. Very on point.
Thanks so much!
So much to enjoy here. I had no idea there are autumn crocuses; what a lovely addition to the season. And that white Solanum is quite something. I just found some of our native whites last weekend: Solanum carolinense. And of course we also have the Virginia Creeper. I think it’s one of the prettiest autumn reds.
Thanks very much, Linda. That particular white solanum covers a dead stump which is about 12′ high yet doesn’t seem to move
Flowers are a joy. What 8s the taste of crab apples? Thank you.
Bitter, but the fruit can be used for jam and left for squirrels and birds to enjoy. Flowering crab apple trees are generally planted more for their springtime blossoms, which are nicely scented. My guess is English gardeners plant them for the same reasons. (I live in the USA.)
Quite right, Doug. Thank you
An added point of interest in North America is the migration of a lovely bird called the cedar waxwing. They pluck petals off the crab apple flowers and offer them to their potential mates. If the potential mate accepts them, it’s time to nest! it is a sweet little thing to observe. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id
Thank you very much once more, Doug. Fascinating comment and link
Doug’s reply is correct, Lakshmi. We leave them for the birds
I enjoyed your beautiful selection of late bloomers!
Your beautiful flower photos have brightened up my day … here it’s a cool drizzly spring day Derrick …
Rather like that here today
The variety of flowers that thrive for you is just amazing.
Thank you very much, AnneMarie
My Virginia creeper never turns.. It is perpetually green.
Wow. Thank you very much, Judy
You have captured the changing of seasons beautifully, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Anne
Autumn is very definitely on its way.
Yep. Thanks a lot, John
Gorgeous late blooms! They are a reflection of The Gardener’s love! š
Welcome, Autumn!
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(((HUGS))) š
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Beautiful, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill
It must be so nice to walk through your garden, Derrick! So colourful!
Thank you very much, Aletta
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Luscious photos, Derrick, and lucid, lyrical lines. I may have to steal (with credit) “auguries of true autumn.” ? I wonder why the blackbirds stopped eating the crabapples?
Your house will be quiet for a few days.
Thanks very much, Merril. I am honoured – steal away. We wondered that, too
You’re welcome, Derrick. ?
A positive floral feast.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Lovely….
Thank you very much, Geeta
Beautiful.
Thanks very much, GP
Thank you Derrick. Your garden still creates the positive mood and optimism.
Thank you very much, Alexander
Hi Derrick, what a most beautiful garden you have, love all your flowers, and the Virginia creeper has such beautiful colours! Autumn is such a lovely and colourful season ?
Thank you very much, Agnes
I can see summer gracefully stepping down and relinquishing her reign to autumn in these very lovely photos, Derrick and Jackie. It is still so beautiful!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia
The blue lace cap hydrangea shot is exquisite.
Thank you very much, Cindy
Your photographs have expressed a delightful showing of gorgeous blooms, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Lovely garden pictures.
Thank you very much, Andy
Beautiful blooms and your waxing quite lyrical in your descriptions. š
Thank you very much, Pat
What lovely photos of your beautiful flowers, Derrick. Hard to choose a favorite. But, there something so fragile and sweet about those wilting phlox that have rejuvenated – I am drawn to them. And of course, the Crown Princess Margareta always has been a favorite. Iām so glad you teach us the names of all these lovely flowers. Thank you, Derrick!
Much appreciated, Jan
Your garden is still magical!
Thank you very much, Ribana