🌼Garden Pottering This November #SixOnSaturday #GardeningTwitter #Flowers

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Rosie Amber

Wind and rain have played havoc with my washing schedules this week, but in the garden, flowers are blooming even if it is just here and there. I’ve also been joining in with the #AlphabettyBlooms hashtag on Twitter. Do look it up for pictures of lots of lovely flowers.

First photo goes to the bright and cheery Hawthorne berries. While preparing this post, I looked back at my photos of the froth of white flowers that this plant produced many months ago.

Second photo is of the Rock Roses. This white one has performed for months, where its pink cousin has been sporadic this year.

Third photo is of an everlasting Geranium that I found sheltering under a bush.

Forth photo goes to the tiny pink clumps of flowers on the Spiraea which have come back after dead-heading the main flush. Sorry about the quality of the photo, but the wind decided to play with the bush as I took my pictures.

Next is a Scabious (can you see the ant on the flower head?) I’m not sure where this one came from, it may have been one of the wild seeds.

Lastly are the first blue flowers on the Ceanothus, It feels quite early as I was also talking about it last January in a post.

Thank you for joining me for this #SixOnSaturday post. I hope that you enjoyed it. Jim is now our host for this gardening meme and you can find his blog here where you will be able to catch up with links from all the other folks who take part.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Here’s a link to Jim’s post for this week with all the comments containing links to everyone else’s SoS posts.

🍃The Last Saturday Of Gardening In October. #SixOnSaturday #GardeningTwitter #AutumnGarden

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Rosie Amber

It’s the last Saturday in October. We change our clocks tonight too, so we will get a little longer daylight in the mornings for just a short time. Plus, I shall have an extra hour in bed tomorrow morning!🛏

What is flowering inside and out in my house and garden this week?

I was disappointed with the Busy Lizzies this year, they didn’t enjoy the heat, some bolted, some died; it wasn’t their best show. So I took some cuttings a few weeks ago which I hope to keep going as stock for next summer’s pots. These have taken off and are showing me what they could have been like in a moderate English summer.

Here is an update on my Poinsettias which I showed you a few weeks ago as they began their 12/12 dark and light training to turn the leaves red. This is the progress after about 6 weeks.

Third photo is of my spiky leaved Mahonia which is now coming into flower.

Next photo shows my Christmas Flowering Cactus which looks ready to flower even though we have about 7 weeks until the festive weekend.

The fifth photo is from the Japanese Anemone which I recently bought. It is just going over, but hopefully by next year it will have settled in.

Final photo is of a yellow Shasta Daisy, also a recent purchase.

I’m hoping to get to the Longstock water gardens for a belated visit this afternoon. If I’m lucky I might get a few useful photos for next week’s post.

Happy gardening

Rosie

🍃Nature’s Wonders. Second Chance Flowers For #SixOnSaturday #GardeningTwitter #GardeningLife

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Rosie Amber

Sunshine and showers, foggy mornings, warm days and winds. We’ve been having a real mix of weather this week. Out in the garden plants are still flowering, with some putting in a second showing.

First photo goes to this lovely Laurentia which I proudly managed to photo in focus, this has powered through all summer. It is only a half hardy annual, which I would definitely grow again.

My second photo is a lovely ‘smiley’ Cosmos. Smiley because they make me smile rather than any particular variety.

My third photo is of a little cornflower which is still flowering. I do love this blue.

The soft leaved Mahona has more flowers now and the bumblebees are feeding from them.

Fifth photo is of the Hypericum Hidcote (St. John’s Wort) – well I think that’s what it is, it’s one of our inherited plants again, which I don’t know the name of. It had put on a great show until the drought got it and all the flowers seemed to drop overnight. But now it is flowering once more which is lovely to see.

Finally, Cupressus ‘Goldcrest Wilma’ a new plant for me and one I was able to choose to review, although how you can review a live plant quickly, I don’t know😉 I said it was a little damaged by delivery, but that it was perking up and would make a good house plant.

Happy gardening

Rosie

🌻Celebrating #GrowYourOwnProduce For This Week’s #SixOnSaturday Post. #GardeningTwitter #GardeningLife

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Rosie Amber

This week I’ve been busy baking, making and harvesting some of the last items from my garden. Let’s see what I’ve been doing.

First photo is of my ginger plant. Waaaay back at the start of the year, Fred showed us a photo of his ginger plant which inspired me to try growing one too. I planted a ginger root which I bought at the garden centre in early February. It took a loooong time to do anything, but many weeks later a shoot appeared. I’ve kept the plant in my conservatory all summer and it has grown many more shoots.

So last weekend, I had a peak at the roots to see what was happening. I gently broke off three roots. They are quite fun – I think that the middle one looks like a triceratops! There may even be a baby unicorn in the far right root.

I had a plan to make chrysrallised ginger. Ginger has lots of good medical attributes. I used a recipe from Georgina at From The Larder. Although I only had around 200g of root, I adapted the recipe and the quantity worked for me. I have left the rest of the plant to continue to grow, but I would definitely make this again.

Next I moved on to the sunflowers that I have been cutting down. I was saving the seed heads, some for seeds for next year and some for the birds. As I have a lot of sunflower heads it occurred to me that I could also eat the sunflower seeds. I believe that all varieties of sunflowers have edible seeds and they make healthy snacks. So I roasted a batch along with some pumpkin seeds that came in the fresh pumpkin in last week’s Oddbox delivery. (Does anyone else use Oddbox? I have subscribed for a year now, we get a medium box every two weeks and I am always impressed with the range and quality of the produce).

My fifth photo is of another project. I am using my lavender flowers and seeds to make lavender bags. We have carpet and clothes moths in the house and I recently learnt that they avoid lavender.

My final photo goes to the last of the tomatoes from the greenhouse. The plants were going mouldy and were covered in whitefly, so I have brought them in to ripen on the windowsill.

Thank you for joining me for this #SixOnSaturday post. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you would like to know more about this hashtag, read founder Mr Propagator’s post here also find him on Twitter here.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Jon’s last post as meme host is here. He is now handing over to Jim from next week, follow Jim’s blog, Garden Ruminations, here.

🍂What’s Flowering In My Garden For This Week’s #SixOnSaturday Post? #GardeningLife #GardeningTwitter

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Rosie Amber

I had great plans to bring you photos of a trip to Longstock Park Water Gardens in Hampshire, however, Covid has circled back to my household and the friend I was going with agreed it was best to postpone our trip. So I have had to scramble around my garden in search of six items for this week’s post instead.

First photo is of a lone Linum (Bright Eyes) flower. This is from a packet of seed that I bought very late in the season. I sprinkled a few seeds out in the flower bed to see if they would still germinate. The rest I will sow next Spring.

Second photo is of a mystery flower. This plant has been growing all summer, it is just over a foot tall, has multiple heads (and some mildew!) The foliage is dark green with small slender leaves. The one flower that has just opened is small, no more than 2cm in diameter and has propped itself on the Cordyline. The only plant which I have found which might be similar is Sneezewort, but I would welcome your thoughts.

My third photo is of my Squashes, they are slowly growing although one has disappeared and may have been eaten by the visiting badger.

I am going to try growing garlic over the winter. I couldn’t find any at the garden centre, so I am using one from the supermarket. Not ideal, but I shall give them a go. I am starting them off in a tray in the cold frame.

Fifth photo is of some of the Morning Glory, the drought has kept them from taking over the garden, but they are still putting on a last show.

Finally, I found that the harebells were still flowering behind the bushy Kolkwitzia.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Linky to the Prop’s post is here.

🍂Here Comes October In My English Garden. #SixOnSaturday #GardeningTwitter #Autumn

Posted on October 1, 2022 by Rosie Amber

A storm blew in on Friday afternoon, so I took my pictures in advance of the rainy squall. We will have to wait to see what will be left standing after the wind. My tall sunflower has already lost a few branches.

So let’s jump right in with what was flowering on Friday morning.

My pot of Gazania have flowered on and off for most of the summer which has pleased me. I have once again collected the fluffy seed from them. Last Spring I had a zero germination rate from the previous year’s seed. So when I collected the seed a few weeks ago, I planted a late summer test tray. I have one seedling which I now need to keep alive all through winter.

The yellow rose near my front door has done well, it only gets early morning sun, so it has been in the shade during the drought which has kept it from dying back. I have tried soft wood cuttings, but I’m not convinced they are alive. I shall wait a bit longer before a final decision. It is a lovely rose, less thorny than other varieties.

The Salvia are coming back for a second flowering now that the temperatures have cooled and we’ve had a few showers of rain. These ones are a hot pink colour, so much so that they haven’t photographed well.

I have two Mahonia in my garden, this one is the soft leaved variety and flowers earlier than my spiky leaved one.

Fifth photo goes to a single Cosmos from left over seeds that I scattered over the ground. That reminds me, I don’t think I’ve gathered any seeds from them for next year. I shall check my envelopes of seeds to make sure.

My final photo goes to the pot of Sweet Alyssum (Lobolaria) which had an early showing, then died back in the drought, but it is now enjoying a second wind. I have other plants of this variety which came in wild seed packs and their honey scent is scattered throughout the garden.

Happy gardening

Rosie

🍂Autumn Colours, Vegetables And Pot Plants. My #SixOnSaturday #Gardening Post.

Posted on September 24, 2022 by Rosie Amber

Although the evenings and mornings are drawing in we have still got a mix of sun and warmth while a sprinkle of welcome rain arrived on Friday. I have rummaged round in my plot and found enough items for another week.

Six photos from my garden — September 24th

First photo is one one of my Cotoneasters. this one fans across the front wall below a bay window. I think it may be the Grey Cotoneaster.

Own photo of a cotoneaster — Cotoneaster

Second photo is of the third Squash growing on this self-seeded plant (from my kitchen compost). The first two didn’t get beyond walnut size before the pests ate them. This one is cricket ball size.

Next are my courgettes. I have eaten one and have more growing. Fingers crossed that the first frosts stay away and I can harvest them.

Fourth photo is of one of the Fuschia which drapes itself over the pink rose. It then hangs down over the lawn.

Fifth photo goes to one of the Tradiscantia cuttings from last year which has really enjoyed the hot summer.

Own photo of a Tradiscantia — Tradiscantia

Last photo is of another one of the Cotoneasters, this one may be a European variety the leafing is different from the first one. This plant is more upright in growing style.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Links:

The sun has been out in Sarah’s Australian garden
Check out the impressive Gourds in Wild Parenting’s post.
Jon’s linky post for all your Six On Saturday posts.
Graeme has a super Honka Fragile dahlia in his post.
Always lots to see in Fred’s garden.
Tony has several rescued plants on his six.
Stunning Amaryllis belladonna in Jim’s garden.

🍄What’s In My Garden For This Week’s #SixOnSaturday post? #GardeningTwitter #Autumn🍂

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Rosie Amber

Night temperatures have dropped into single figures suddenly this week. There is an autumn chill in the air and the toadstools are in abundance out in the woods. In the garden I have been collecting seeds for next year and planting Spring bulbs. So what have I got for you this week?

Six plants and flowers from my garden — September 17th

First photo goes to this toadstool which popped up in my flower bed. I have been unsuccessful in identifying it from my book or the internet and I don’t have an identifier app. If anyone can help me I would be grateful. It has a sponge like appearance underneath and it looks like a Crème Brûlée on the top.

Second photo is an update on my Sedum, this week they are much pinker than last week’s photo, which I have added to the corner for comparison. Update: Julie Grows from Twitter has identified this as a Bolette, either a Bay Bolette or a Slippery Jack.

Photos three, four and five are of my dahlias which have done so well and are continuing to flower that they deserve another showing.

Lastly a before (there will be an after in a few months) photo of my Poinsettia as they begin their daily twelve hours of dark, twelve hours of light routine to get the leaves to turn red in time for Christmas. This will be my third year of doing this. I have experimented with the start dates, this year will be my earliest start time, as the previous years the plants were at their peak in January.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Links:

Mr Propagator’s post for the linky to the meme. He’s off on a 50 mile run today.
Sarah is planting citrus trees in her Australian garden.
Still lots flowering in Graeme’s garden, plus he’s off on a scything course.
30 Days Wilding show us his latest plant finds.
Fred’s has a lot of rain, go and see his video.
Sel’s found some great free items in Belgium.
Tony’s been getting free plants too.
Off The Hedge Gardening has a lovely amaranthus with poodle puffs!
Great pruning of a Box Chinese Ginger Jar on Lead Up the Garden Path’s blog.
Last week of summer on Chris’s blog.

⏰Time For This Week’s #SixOnSaturday Post. #GardeningTwitter #Flowers ‘N Things!

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Rosie Amber

We’ve had showers of rain this week which the garden has been enjoying. I’ve rummaged round to find what’s blooming and have a mixed bunch for you.

Six flowers form my garden — September 10th

Fox And Cubs (Pilosella Aurantiaca) arrived in a pot of dwarf iris from my husband’s aunt a couple of years ago. Rather weed-like in the way it spreads with seeds similar to dandelions. It is taking over cracks in the patio. The bees love it, but I’m keeping my eye on it.

Own photo of Fox and Cubs wild flower — Fox and Cubs

My Sweet Peas have struggled through the hot weeks but they have greened up again and are still producing a few flowers.

I have a small hardy Fuchsia which is competing for space and giving some colour to the front garden.

My Japanese quince has a few more fruits on it than last year. They will turn more range/ yellow later. The blue rope used to hold them back in the Spring, it has done a good job, but doesn’t make for a great photo.

Own photo of Japanese Quince — Japanese Quince

The fifth photo is of my Rock roses which are flowering again after the Spring flush. They have established themselves well in the bed.

Own photo of rock rose flowers — Rock rose flowers

My final photo is of this self seeded Snowberry (I hope) (Symphoricarpos albus) I do this see this around, I think it self seeds easily. It’s not in an ideal place but I will keep an eye on it.

Happy gardening

Rosie

Links:

Chris has been hunting earwigs.
Linky to the Prop’s weekly post for us all.
Everything is shooting in Sarah’s Australian garden.
Lots of fruit and veg in Fred’s garden this week.
Graeme reminds us of The Queen’s favourite flower.

🌺Hello September! Step Into My Garden For Another #SixOnSaturday Post. #GardeningTwitter #GardeningLife

Posted on September 3, 2022 by Rosie Amber

After the hot and crisp summer, September looks cooler and hopefully will be wetter than the last few weeks. I found a few plants happily surviving to make up another six. Again I was surprised to get a full six.

So let’s see what the garden wants to show us this week.

First photo is of the bright pink rose (no name I’m afraid as we inherited it with the garden.) It fights for space with a fuchsia and the Croscosmia but it can rise above both when the time to flower arrives.

Second photo goes to my one and only Cantaloupe melon which I picked last week. So many of you wanted to know what it would look and taste like that I am happy to say it was delicious. I have saved some of the seed to grow next year.

Own photo of my Cantaloupe melon — Cantaloupe Melon

Third photo is of a very late courgette. It didn’t enjoy being planted out in the heat, but is now flowering and looking much healthier. I hope it won’t be too late to fruit.

Fourth photo is of the purple Buddleia which is still flowering. The flowers are smaller due to the dry conditions, but they are still visited by the pollinators.

Own photo of purple buddleia — Purple Buddleia

Fifth photo shows the Sedum, they have enjoyed the hot dry summer and are almost blooming. Another plant that the pollinators enjoy.

Finally my white rose which has battled on all summer producing one or two blooms which have been a delight when so much else turned crispy.

Own photo of a white rose from my garden — White Rose

Happy gardening

Rosie

Links:

The Prop’s away running around Anglesey, but the links party is still on over at his blog.
Pauline has a mystery maize thief in her garden.
Spring Daffodils in New Zealand.
Plenty of colour still in Graeme’s garden.