Summers end- and the garden’s still glowing. Butterflies are feasting on fallen apples. Bats overfly the pond at night. And the borders fair rustle and crunch to the sound of hedgehogs- surely the noisiest visitors to my garden after dark.
The garden is still full of colourful blooms.
And yet, the season has tipped over the balance. Michaelmas, on September 29th, traditionally signals the beginning of autumn- the shortening of days. My ancestors,who were servants to grand houses, would have been paid, hired or fired on Michaelmas day. And for later generations, who were farmers, Michaelmas signalled the end of the productive season, a completion of harvests. The end of one cycle of growing and the start of a new one.
Growing must be in my blood. I can’t be happy unless I am tending and planting food, flowers, fruit and veg. I often wonder if this need for gardening keeps me connected to the past, to those hard working and tenacious ancestors.
I remember my Grandfather pointing out the Harvest Moon and speaking of the Autumnal Equinox- Softly spoken words that delighted me. I always had a fascination for such things.
There are two equinoxes each year in September and March when the sun shines directly on the Equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. In 2016 the Equinox was on Thursday 22nd September, when some of these photos were taken. Autumnal Equinox
Cosmos plants flower until the first frosts.
Calendula pot marigolds seed themselves along the veg garden paths
Schizostylis/ Hesperantha coccinea- a September glory. Also known as crimson flag lily.
Sweet peas sown late will flower until October. The scent combines with the late summer roses still blooming here.
Dahlias left in the ground over winter did much better than potted plants kept in the greenhouse.Slugs seem to like the softer growth of the cosseted plants.
Sunflowers in such sumptuous colours. Seeds for the birds over winter.
Rosa Shakespeare puts on a good late summer show, and the scent is reminiscent of old moss roses.
Aster Monch. My favourite -totally reliable and a magnet for bees and butterflies.
White phlox paniculata. Grown here in deep shade and poor soil at the back of the garage. Such a beautiful scent. A plant that shines out in dark places.
Sweet pea seeds came from Easton Walled Gardens where I had the most dreamy job last winter, promoting the gardens. It wasn’t difficult to say nice things about this glorious historic garden renovation project.
Soon my garden will be full of seed heads- and I will treasure them just as much as the flowers that came before.
Until then, to quote Alison :”It feels like autumn is holding its breath.”
Thanks to Helen for hosting this End of the Month View.
You’re pictures are amazing! I love the angles, variety and colors!
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Thank you kindly 🙂 x
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Your phlox grows in deep shade??? I must try moving some of mine. I love my fall gardens. The asters have faded but the mums are out in all their glory. A few confused phlox and pincushions are hanging on.
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They do grow a bit taller than usual- but you’d be surprised how much shade they can take. As long as they are kept well watered. Let me know how you get on. Thanks for the comments. Karen
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I just cut some seed heads off of one of my white phlox. I LOVE the huge panicles it grows when given full sun. I realize I may not get the same plant from the seeds however I have grown bright red plants from my bright red phlox, with, alas, is prone to mold but I’ve stayed on top of it all summer.
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A lovely, enjoyable post with stunning pictures , we planted a Shakespeare rose this spring and it seems happy, is yours a good performer? also you have got me thinking about my Phlox! I also have some that is white ( I can’t remember the name of) and i wondered about splitting it and moving it to the north border inside the walled garden.. Mmm.. Thankyou for inspiring me ☺️
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I love the Shakespeare rose. It grows quite tall, so I’m constructing a willow and hazel frame for it for next year. Will tie the branches down to make it bush out a bit. I think that white phlox will grow just about anywhere. Such a good do-er. Thanks for your kind comments, I’ve enjoyed reading about your lovely garden too.
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What a lovely selection! Are these all from you garden? It must be a beautiful one:)
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thank you. All the plants are pretty spread out, and there are brambles and stinging nettles a-plenty. But I love my garden, despite the scruffy edges. Thanks for your kind comments
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Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks for your kind comments. Much appreciated
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Quite beautiful photos and I like the story about your ancestors, I think that connection you have to them with your gardening is cool!
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Thank you for your kind comments. If I am having a testing time, I just look at my photo album of my ancestors and think of all the difficulties they faced and how rescourceful and determined they were. I soon pick myself up and carry on then. Thanks again for commenting. Much appreciated.
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Stunning photos – thanks for sharing!
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thank you for lovely comments. I’m sewing today- rather than sowing . You’ve inspired me 🙂 x
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Delightful
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Thank you for your kind comments
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What wonderful pictures of the beautiful flowers. Sunflower on the first picture, I like.
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Thank you for your likes and comments. They really do cheer up Autumn. Will leave the seeds for the birds which will extend their usefulness.a double purpose plant
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Beautiful pictures!
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thank you. So kind x
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Beautifully written post full of the melancholy that autumn seems to bring out on us all.
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Thank you Christina. I think we all try to hold on to summer. thanks for your kind comments. Much appreciated.
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beautifully fresh
garden of words
& images,
skillfully expressed 🙂
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thank you. That’s so kind of you to say so. Kind comments are much appreciated.
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Such a lovely post. I have seen the flowers more than once 🙂
Happy weekend to you!
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thank you. So kind x
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And a happy weekend to you also 🙂
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That’s an interesting thought re dahlias. I managed to keep a favoured one under cover over winter, it resprouted beautifully but of course as soon as I planted it out in the border it was destroyed by slugs. Completely defoliated. I’m thinking it is probably mild enough down here to risk it next time. Perhaps I should try and protect them from the worst of the winter wet though.
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It’s worth a try. Mine are planted at the edge of the orchard, so have overhanging tree branches giving some frost protection. I mulched the dahlia stems with pine needles ( slugs don’t like the resin) also poultry grit, and sheep wool pellets. Sacrificial lettuce nearby. Once they were well grown, the slugs aren’t so interested. Haven’t had to bother with them all summer. Good luck with yours. And thanks for the comments.
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Forgot to say- I also think the drier soil next to the orchard also deters slugs, and dahlias take more shade that everyone thinks. All the best with your lovely garden x
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A lovely post and wonderful pictures. I especially like the two sunflowers and, of course, the pot marigold. xx
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thank you Mike. Thought of you when I chose those photos 🙂 x
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Incredible blooms! I felt a much needed pick me up with those colors and a ‘walk’ through nature. 🙂
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thank you very much. So kind of you to say so. x
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Gorgeous flowers – extraordinary photos!
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thank you for your kind comments, Eliza. Much appreciated.
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All are beautiful! I’m in awe with the last one especially!
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thank you so much Amy. Such a kind comment. Much appreciated. x
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Wonderful photos Karen! Extraordinary!!!
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thank you Beth. That’s so kind of you to say so. Thanks for your lovely comments. Have a great weekend x
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thank you Beth. Thanks for your lovely comments. Have a lovely weekend xxx
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Beautiful photos!
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Thank you 🙂 x
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Breathtaking photos! It’s getting g cooler here so I’m hoping to see more fall colors. Your flowers are gorgeous!!
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thank you for your lovely comments x
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Beautiful photos, indeed autumn is holding its breath yet. Wonderful post.
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thank you for your kind comments. Much appreciated. I’m just hoping it holds its breath a bit longer. I love these sunny warm days in the garden.
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