Although there is a chill in the air and still plenty of rain around, it's a pleasure to see that the roses in my garden are still hanging in, still producing buds which actually, mostly, reach the opening stage. I don't think there is a single rose bush or climber - and I have about 25 in all - that is not in bud. Is it any wonder that I love roses so much? They give so much and ask so little.
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| Wild Eve on a north facing fence, 10 November 2012. |
The David Austin rose, Wild Eve, is happy enough growing on a north facing fence, hugging up with the honeysuckle that grows right next to it. Of course, now that it has managed to get it's head into a better light coming from the south, it is bound to do better. On the left of the above image, you can see the jasmine is coming along. That too has reached the top of the fence and although there were few flowers this year, I am hopefuly about that doing well next year. It's a good thing to be positive and optimistic about gardening in a country where the weather continually lets gardeners down because, otherwise, we might just not bother. This year, and I am really speaking about summer, has been horrible weather-wise.
Strangely, the Princess Alexandra of Kent has produced very few flowers throughout this summer but it now bursting with buds. What is going on?
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| Princess Alexandra of Kent on south facing fencing, 10 November 2012 |
I haven't really grown primulas and primroses much in the past and so was not expecting flowers to appear at this time of year. I have them planted in shady areas and this one is ever so pretty. Look, you can see it has been raining yet again.
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| Primula, 10 November 2012 |
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| Primula, 10 Nov 2012 - I wish the slugs would leave them be. |
The violas that I planted in the tub the other day should be nice for some time to come. Maybe winter will be kind to them. Maybe it will be kind to me too. Fat chance.
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| Winter flowering violas, 10 November 2012 |
And I know I have mentioned this a few times in my posts but the hanging baskets which I planted with lobelia and bacopa back in spring are still hanging on in. Months and months of flowers for a pittance. Not bad going at all. I wonder how much longer they will last.
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| Lobelia and Bacopa - 10 November 2012 |
