FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

I always arrange my post in the Six on Saturday format, numbering and labelling each of my little paragraphs, but this week I am going freestyle.  I hope you can overlook this mini rebellion.  As Autumn draws in, and Winter appears on the horizon, garden pickings will become much slimmer, so I'm celebrating the bounty while I get the chance.

The first set of photos are of the Rose Garden.  How much the light has changed now the sun hangs lower in the sky.  This was taken early afternoon, yet the shadows are so long.

It's much more overcast in this photo, comme d'habitude.

My absolute favourite rose 'Jude the Obscure' is putting forth a few flowers, accompanied by its gorgeous fruity scent.  Please note the healthy looking leaves (a rare sight this year).

The asters are just coming into bloom too.  My favourites are these airy and delicate varieties with dark leaves.  This one is Amethyst Kylie.

Rosa 'Burgundy Ice' earns its place due to its colour, although the bush itself is rather spindly.  It's nothing like as robust as its sibling 'Iceberg'.  I thought maybe it was just mine, but the ones on a rose grower's stand at Hampton Court were just the same.

The Long Border is still flowering happily and these colours seem to suit the Autumn light, even on a dull day.

Aster 'Blue Heaven' is flowering now, adding a touch of cooler colours among the paler yellows.

Dahlia 'David Howard' just flowers on and on, with dark red 'Karma Naomi' behind.

Get a little sunshine though, and the whole border comes to life.

 

I'm sure we all wonder from time to time whether all that seed sowing and overwintering of tender plants, all that dead heading, weeding and watering are worth it.  But on a sunny day like that one, I begin to think perhaps it is.

Happy gardening to you, and many thanks to the Propagator for hosting Six on Saturday.