Garden surprises

It’s been such a mild Autumn so far that I really shouldn’t be surprised that there are still summer flowers to be found in the garden.  In fact, I noticed this morning that some of the bedding plants in pots that seemed to have died off due to lack of water whilst we on holiday have sprung back into life after the recent rain.

What really surprises me is that there are still tomatoes ripening in the greenhouse!  Usually at this time of year I’m inundated with green tomatoes that refuse to turn red and which I have no idea what to do with – I’m not a fan of green tomato chutney at all.

I’m also really pleased to see that the nasturtium which was just one little leftover plant that needed a home has happily spread itself far and wide across the border. I don’t know how much longer it will survive but it’s a pleasure to see it still around.

This is Cotinus “Grace” which, unlike the more common variety of smoke bush, “Royal Purple” turns orange in the Autumn.  Not just any old orange, a rich, vibrant LOOK AT ME! orange which catches your eye from the other end of the garden.  It’s beautiful this year.

This little marigold has amazed me too.  I thought it was on it’s way out in September but here it is still thriving in November.  I love this variety; it’s just a plain ordinary marigold, Calendula officinalis.  I much prefer these to the double-headed messed-about-with varieties.

Up by the gate, the Cotoneaster has turned a brilliant red.  All the berries have gone now, gobbled up by greedy blackbirds, and only the leaves remain for a week or so until there’s nothing but bare branches until the Spring.

It is getting colder at night now, so I don’t think it will be long before the frost arrives and the garden will change again.  It’s a treat to be able to watch it.

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4 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

    That nasturtium has gone crazy! Wow! And how brilliant to have ripe tomatoes-we used to have the same problem of green ones year after year.

  2. Barbara says:

    Your garden is amazing. I love nasturtium but I can't stand it when they get covered in caterpillars so I've not grown them for a while. Maybe I should try again. I cut the roses down two weeks ago and now they are flowering again, very odd!

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Thank you! And you're right, Barbara, the gardens are doing strange things this year! I don't have too many problems with caterpillars but I do have a BIG problem with slugs. I have no idea how they missed my lovely nasturtium but I'm very glad they did! xx

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