Autumn?

Despite the fact that I still can't really do any gardening and haven't done any for what seems like years but is actually only about 6 weeks, the garden is still hanging on to many blooms.  It seems reluctant to acknowledge that it's autumn and rapidly heading towards November, preferring to keep its late summer blooms.

The arbutilon still has buds on but will need moving into the greenhouse soon,

I don't remember sweet peas still flowering this late before

and the bedding fuchsias are still going strong,

as are some clematis.

Soon it will be time to protect the dahlias (I don't lift them and they seem to survive fine).

This salvia (Cambridge Blue) is still flowering well,

as is the hardy fuchsia.

But there are signs of autumn - this rose (Wollerton Old Hall) nestles amongst the decaying seed heads of the poppies,

Sedum (Red Cauli),

and this Japanese Anemone,

are surrounded by autumn leaves.

But I am still harvesting courgettes, generally only 3 or 4 a week now though,

and there are flower buds on the hollyhocks!

This little robin was singing his heart out,

he's clearly enjoying the mild weather.

Raindrops Are Still Falling

It seems as though every time I go out in the garden at the moment I get wet.  If it's not actually raining then the masses of jungle-like plant growth soaks me as I pass.  So far I've sheltered in the greenhouse, next door's shed and yesterday in next door's chicken house!

But raindrops on plants do look beautiful:

Sweetpea Cupani

Agapanthus

The agapanthus was bought new this year to replace one I lost over the winter.  It was sold as a white one, but is looking suspiciously blue!

Rosocea

But every so often the sun comes out, albeit briefly:

Clematis Blue Angel and Rosa Felicia

White Lightning Passion Flower

And when it does the plants seem to smile and sing 'look at me!'

I gather summer is supposed to arrive here in East Anglia at the weekend - I hope so!