At this time of the year the garden here becomes shadier. The sun slips lower in the sky and neighbouring trees cast their shadows. Like the garden I am sliding towards my winter dormancy. But before I curl up there are a few more sixes to be posted. Recently I have muttered to myself, ‘Call yourself a gardener?’
The first was on the tragic occasion of admiring the emerging flower stem of a nerine and seconds later stepping on it. The second on dead heading a rose still in flower, which was swiftly followed by chopping back branches on the tomato plants and finding a perfectly formed truss of green tomatoes among them. But these things happen, don’t they?
My first six is also a disappointment
This week I dug up the last of my sarpo mira potatoes. This is the total haul from two plants. Barely enough to mash and I was certainly crushed.
Two
The tale of woe continued. Into the greenhouse I went to pick some tomatoes. I noticed that the romano peppers needed tying in again. But as I brought the stems together to tie them in they snapped. But these things happen, don’t they? This photo was taken after a good many of the peppers had been used for the evening meal.
The sun was shining on these tragic events and the birds were singing so even as I chastised myself for not staking, not tying in, not watering, not being more careful, and not being out in the garden more I couldn’t avoid seeing some positives and here they are.
Three
This bright cheerful zinnia, grown from a tiny seed, continues to shine.
Four
The astrantia major are flowering again.
Five
Autumn is coming and softer colours take their place in the garden. I call these ice plants but I’m going to venture to suggest the Latin name of Hylotelephium spectabile. Yes or No?
Six
Miracles happen. Last week I featured the bulbs of Colchicum speciosum ‘Album’, which had just arrived. I planted them the very same day, idly thinking that I would have to wait a year before the flowered. That would give me time to spread out the lamb’s ear plants that I wanted to surround them. This week I found this amazing sight.
So I add to my crimes, ignorance. I had no idea the bulbs would flower this year. What a blissful ignorance it was. Without it I would not have been half so thrilled and excited as I was when I saw this flower and I didn’t step on it!
Gardeners come with different skill levels and it is great fun to be part of The Propagator’s Six On Saturday crowd, where we are all sharing, learning and always enjoying gardening. I really recommend you stop by and take a look.