Tuesday 11 August 2015

Hello!

I couldn't resist taking photos of these zinnias which are just coming into bloom.
I have grown them from seed and love their bright but chalky colours.  They have lots of buds so I hope to have many more flowers to enjoy.

 These cosmos are more of my 'babies' and are starting to fill out nicely.  I collected a number of packets of free seeds of annuals last autumn and winter so had a busy time potting them up and planting out earlier in the year.   Most of them have already done their stuff and others have been spoiled by all the strong winds we have had but the rest are brightening up the garden nicely.
This clump of verbena is one of last years babies and looking quite grown up now.  I love it and have some in the front garden too.  If they all set seed we shall have to rename the house - Verbena something or other.  Jungle comes to mind especially if I get engrossed in a textile project!

I  have been waiting for the plant in the centre above, to grow enough to identify it.  Goody goody, I'm sure it is a foxglove, but I didn't plant it and it is too close to the lawn but I will get the blame!
There is another one to the left of that nice little clump of hardy geranium - they are all self sets and will all have to be moved further back.  I'll wait until the ground is nice and wet and dig nice big holes for them so they won't know they've been moved.

I wish these were eating apples instead of crab apples, but they are very decorative.  I was a bit dismayed to notice a definite scent of autumn in the air this afternoon.   I am still hoping for a bit more summer.  Maybe tomorrow will be just that, though the weather for the rest of the week doesn't sound too good for our area.

I see that the weeds are doing well with all the warmth and rain we have had.  I have been catching up indoors for a couple of days and reorganised my workroom today.  I always say I can't work when it's messy but when it looks neat and tidy I am reluctant to muck it up again!   I have too many ideas buzzing round my head to settle on any particular one.  Probably just as well, as there is still a lot to do outside and I am determined to get the garden 'put to bed' properly this winter.

6 comments:

Gina said...

I've grown Zinnias from seed these year (free with Gardener's World I think). They are all starting to flower in all sorts of colours. Lovely!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Cosmos - one of my favourites. I once saw a garden full - it had just been allowed to seed and fill the plot. It was splendid but took some courage to allow I think.

I was only thinking about you on my earlier walk with Tess Heather and wondering whether you were still doing your sewing. The last thing I saw was your book you were in the middle of doing. How is it getting on?

Rowan said...

Growing things from seed and seeing them flower must be very satisfying but it's something I don't do as I don't have the time needed for keeping them watered and pricked out and potted on. I'm really hoping for some decent rain as it's been really dry here this summer and the earth is baked hard.

The Bug said...

I love zinnias! We've really enjoyed our flowers this year... And I don't feel like we've had a proper summer either - although I shouldn't complain. It's been lovely - just not all that hot. And I'm not done yet!

Robin Mac said...

What a lovely garden you have Heather.
All the old favourites I grew up with - when I lived in a much colder, drier place. We never had 'to put the garden to bed' for the winter though! Cheers

Ro Bruhn said...

I love zinnias and cosmos, they really brighten up an area, they are lovely to paint too. I really need to have a clean up in my studio after being away, I walk in then walk straight out again not knowing where to start.