This drizzle-wet morning gave way to the hot, humid-wet afternoon on which I carried out a dead-heading exercise.
For those worried about our robin family, Jackie’s internet research has revealed that in summer the missing small birds abandon gardens for woods where a plethora of readily attainable food abounds. They can be expected to return when it takes less effort to follow gardeners around than to forage the fields and forest.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2978.jpg)
In the meantime we have butterflies like the Small Whites that sup from the verbena bonariensis.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2981.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2982.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2983.jpg)
The still bejewelled Deep Secret; the apricot Mamma Mia; and red Love Knot are examples of the Rose Garden Roses, while
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2987.jpg)
along the Shady Path the red climber also retains raindrops.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2968.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2969-1.jpg)
Yellow rudbeckia Goldsturm and rich red crocosmia Lucifer grace the Palm Bed;
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2976.jpg)
an intriguing gladiolus whose label has been eaten by slugs is propped up in the Oval Bed;
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2972.jpg)
Yellow kniphofias need no support in the Cryptomeria Bed;
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_img_2971-1.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2986.jpg)
in other locations we have more lilies;
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2970.jpg)
bronze fennel and sweet peas,
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2990.jpg)
Japanese anemones and pelargoniums,
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/img_2989.jpg)
and dazzling dahlias.
Later this afternoon I made a minor contribution to Jackie’s extensive watering project. One lesson I have had to learn is that water from the skies does not reach plants in pots.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s cheese-topped classic cottage pie, carrots, and mange touts with tasty beef gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Rioja.