As the schools open again, there's been a definite change in the weather. Leaves have begun to fall (although how many are due to the extreme conditions we've had this year is unclear), the nights are noticeably drawing in, the mornings are certainly slower to begin, and there's a nip in the air.
2018 has become joint hottest year since records began in England. The Met Office has released a statement telling us that the figures were so close (.03c) that they have declared this summer was equally as hot as 1976. It would have been an outright winner had August not dropped to average temperatures as June and July were so hot this year. But there you go.
While some plants in the garden have enjoyed the hot dry temperatures this year, others clearly have not.
Most of my hydrangeas have struggled. The one below in the left hand side of the patio arch border was almost lost due to a lack of water and as a result flowered poorly.
This hydrangea below however is in a shadier area, in the Pink Garden and has thrived.
The large lilac lacecap hydrangea in the front garden struggled and despite having many flowers, has lost almost all its flower like bracts which I tend to leave on over winter to help protect it.
The pair of lacecap Hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecakes have been a sorry sight for most of the summer as they peaked too soon, then had to endure tap water as the butts had run dry so early in the season. I'm confident that they will look better next year.
The one in the right hand side of the Patio Arch Borders has fared much better. I'm guessing this is because it isn't in full sun all day.
And finally the dusky purple hydrangea in the Long Border. Although it's changed colour due to the use of tap water, it's stayed healthy and should be a better colour next year.
Although still no flowers this year, the Wisteria is being trained to grow over the pergola in the Yen Garden.
The Kaffir lily, botanical name Schizostylis (Hesperantha) joined in the late summer show in the Pink Garden.
Monty was cutting out spent Agapanthus spikes this week on GW...mine is yet to open!
A trip to the Botanical Gardens plant sale was cancelled today. I took the executive decision that we should be moving plants out of the borders at the bottom of the garden ready for the new fence rather than adding to them, and since I've not attended any of their sales this year, this one wouldn't be a huge wrench.
Besides....I brought some back from Devon with me!
Can't find the label for the yellow plant above, but it has leaves like a hardy geranium. It might be a geum perhaps.
Two sisyrinchium plants, one labelled as "dragon's eye" which should be white-pale-lilac with a blue-purple eye in late spring to late summer and enjoys full sun. I look forward to seeing what colour the other one flowers.
Welcome to Autumn.
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