Six on Saturday - 17 October

 The best of late summer and  autumn plants are unusually still making a great contribution to the garden. For more Sixes, follow this link to Jim's post to find out what the Maestro and others have for for us all to enjoy and learn about.

1.The succulents are still outside. Small flowers on small succulents Crassula x rupestris f. marnieriana – Jade Necklace only bought a few weeks ago is now in flower, and of course in pride of place on the garden shelf.  Soon it will have to come into the conservatory.

Crassula x rupestris f. marnieriana

2.  Crocus speciosus 'Oxonian' is bringing up new flowers each day.  A real treat is to look into its delicate  goblet shape to see the intricate orange anthers. 

Crocus speciosus 'Oxonian'

3. Salvia microphylla 'Cerro Potosi' is one of those salvias that can form a pretty large woody shrub.  For now its bright magenta flowers are such a show, for just a few days before the Chrysanthemums come to perfection the star of that border, and the humming bird hawkmoth still patrols the flowers.

Salvia microphylla Cerro Potosi

I had a look up on when and how best to prune this and Rosie Hardy has a good explanation of the how and whens. Rosie Hardy on looking after Salvias.

4. Just when one wonders whether late summer is the time for intricate flowers this little Serratula tinctoria var. seoanei, planted at the edge in a couple of places surprises me. 

Serratula tinctoria var. seoanei

 5.  I was cheeky enough to ask , and lucky enough to receive seed of a fabulous form of Cyclamen mirabile 'Tilebarn Nicholas' just over a week ago.  We have lots of cheeky squirrels digging up the garden throughout the day, so when I planted out the seed, covered with a layer of gravel, I had to cover it with an improvised 'keep out of here' upturned mushroom crate as they soak up water from below.

Cyclamen mirabile 'Tilebarn Nicholas' 

Afterwards the seed trays were placed in the dark and hopefully as this is fresh seed, they should start to emerge in a month's time.

6.  Other seeds are ripe for the picking such as this beautiful Ammi majus. I love the form of dried seedheads and hopefully I shall be able to grow more plants from this seed head.  Three young plants were given to me by Ben, son of a good gardening friend.

Ammi majus

Just as I was cheeky enough to ask for seed, I am happy to send seed out, click on the link to see the current seeds available, and now there is this Ammi.  Since I am raising funds for the British Heart Foundation, maybe a small contribution to the BHF, to cover the postage would be lovely, if you are willing.  However even if you just come across this post within October 2026, and would like to support this worthwhile cause, without wanting seed, I would be delighted.  

After two lots of 7 days exercises and 2 rest days, I find it so much easier to move my large pots and sacks of compost, so these exercises are helping me in the garden.

Six on Saturday - 10 October 2026

 Lets get on with it, it is already nearly time for lunch, but I wouldn't let myself take photographs and dawdle around outside or over the wording for today's Six.  For beautifully worded posts the place to head to is over at Jim's.

1. Just by looking at the leaves on this gorgeous Aeonium Medusa, I can tell that the cutting has taken.  Obtained as a cutting from Piccolo Plants.

Aeonium Medusa

It won't be long before all the garden succulents not under the front canopy are moved to the conservatory.

2. Had a communication from my son this week about his Crassula Buddha's Temple.  The long and the short of it, the one I gave him years ago is now too long and has a community of scale insects. He suggested for his Christmas Present he would love a replacement maybe in a nice pot.  It was only when I agreed that he decided to ditch his one, as he likes this succulent too much to be without it.  Outside this pot full when cut down would yield the cuttings, which will be rooted in time for Christmas.

Crassula 'Buddha's Temple'

3. I love autumn and the colours that are emerging this late in the year. 

 

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Purple Dome'

I divided this last year and all the divisions are doing well.

4. Another plant that I really ought to divide and move is this Chrysanthemum Chatsworth.  It is being rather overwhelmed by Rosa Canary Bird which also needs a little pruning. Going round the garden for SOS is a useful way to take stock of what needs to be done.

Chrysanthemum Chatsworth

5. For me and this garden the pale pink flowered Sedum 'Frosty Morn' is finally coming into its own.  I cut is rather too harshly only just before the heat and the drought. After the rains it bounced back and is looking fab and attracting the bees. The stems are not so big and heavy and there are more smaller stems, which suit me well.

Sedum 'Frosty Morn'

6. Another plant which has bounced back and a month beyond what her name implies is Japanese Anemone 'September Charm', which only recently made a come back, despite earlier scorched leaves that I had cut back.

I'm late because I made myself packet up the seeds for a couple of people who asked and are yet to receive the seeds they asked for. 

Seeds left: Ompholodes Linifolia, Tropaeolum tricolor, Miscanthus nepalensis, Tagetes Cinnabar, Tulipa sprengeri,  Eryngium 'Silver Ghost', Eryngium Planum Tetra Petra. If anyone fancies trying some let me know.  If you haven't already got my email, find me on Facebook and private message me, or if you have Jim's or Gill Heaven's email ask them for mine.  Offer of seeds is limited to SOSers or friends.

From my garden at the start of October 2026- Six on Saturday

I was absent for SOS last Saturday being in Ireland, and was able to make comparisons between that very green and pleasant land, and the relatively parched areas coming across Wales and back home: here it has hardly rained.  Just as you think there will be nothing more for the garden to offer, somethings rise to the fore.  I am joining  in with Jim and others to sharing Six things from the garden.

1. I was concerned about the Sternbergia lutea over the summer as it got so hot and dry where they are located in the front garden.  I need not have been worried and on our return the three little clumps were green with a few flowers left for me to enjoy, but I missed about half of them.

Sternbergia lutea

Whilst in Ireland both north and south, I was looking forward to seeing what people grow there, for we have our SOS friend Pádraig who frequently shares Six from his garden. Yes from the coach and also when we were walking, we could see extensive 'gardens' around their beautifully kept homes, but it consisted mainly of very very green lawns right up to boundaries often with no trees or planting except for the odd clump perhaps of Hydrangea. I know there must be some exceptions as there are many notable plants coming from gardeners on the other side of the Irish Sea, Maybe there are gardeners tucked away in pockets, and perhaps Pádraig is one of the leading vanguards with regards to planting. Maybe there is not so much of a culture of gardening as we enjoy in England.

2. Also now out in flower in the front garden is the clump of Nerine bowdenii subsp. wellsii which may have struggled with the lack of watering: it hasn't seen a hose or watering can, only the infrequent showers these last few weeks.

Nerine bowdenii subsp. wellsii

It is a treat to go round the garden after having been away for over a week, and these two plants were very welcoming. Both of these were gifts from my plantswoman friend Hilary.  She is coming round during next week, and I hope they will still be looking good for her.

3. Just how far should an embrace go and for how long?  The little terracotta chap is now almost entirely embraced by the curly stems of the rosemary, once again in flower, so not only an embrace but a scented one, and during the day the humming of bees. The Rosemary has almost outgrown its spot, and I have been 'succession' planning with a well growing cutting taken maybe a year ago.  I'll plant it up in a large pot and next spring decide where about to plant it.  On the whole I rarely replant the same sort of plant in the same spot, preferring to refresh the soil with an addition of compost etc and planting something different. 

4. Last week I showed  Persicaria 'Golden Arrow', so this week I am showing another of the Persicarias that have bounced back. With purple, cream/silver and green leaves and the name Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy' there will always be a little space for this  psychedelic looking plant.  It has to be kept in check though, so often yielding plants to share.

5. A few weeks ago I posted about Scilla hughii, as I was curious about the little bulbils/bulblets  I found on the roots.  I'm happy that three have survived, and have started to put on some growth.

Three Scilla hughii bulblets

The 'mother' bulb is definitely showing signs of further splitting  with two crowns and I also noticed that there is another bulblet starting to grow on the outer perimeter of the pot, from one of the bulblet I left on the roots when I repotted it.

Scilla hughii forming a double rosette 

This may be the contender for the spot where the Rosemary is currently growing.

6. Earlier this week I went to a talk held by the Wells and District Wildlife Group called 'Learn to Love Slugs and Snails' given by Nathan Orr, Mendip Hills National Landscape Nature Recovery Ranger.  Except for admiring their form, there was not much understanding or love lost between myself and those slimy creatures that nibble and gnaw.  Have I turned into a lover of those molluscs? It is another creature in the garden to observe and only a couple of days after the talk, with a few light showers during the night, I found this beautiful slug. I followed it for a little while and in the time it took me to fetch a little more washing to put on the line, it has disappeared. I haven't yet been out to check any damage on the Kale plants given to me by Alison, which may just swing me back to my previous position if they have been decimated!!

Other wildlife which thrilled me this week was 'my frog', hummingbird hawkmoths, 'my robin' and several other visiting thrushes, so for now, maybe the slugs, snails and I can coexist, as the slugs will be busy breaking down all the autumnal detritus. 

Arion Rufus

Being of the 'older set' but still gardening, walking and cycling, and wanting to continue with these for many more years, I have taken up the Strong Woman Challenge being run during October,  with any funds raised going to the British Heart Foundation.  I hope to keep up the exercises even beyond the month as I would really like to be strong enough to garden for a long while yet, open jam jars, and run up and down stairs!

This is the link if you would like to support me:

 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strongwoman2026-noellemace

Six on Saturday - 19 September 2026

 SOS you know the form, Six(ish) things from the garden all linked together over at Jim's.

1. The Asters are starting to give a wonderful splash of colour, taking us and our gardens up to the feast of Michaelmas after which all these flowers were originally named.

A Blogging friend Brian Skeys has just written a delightful article celebration Michaelmas, which reminded that some of mine could feature this week.

Aster novi-belgii Blue

Since adding the Asters to the garden a few years ago, I have divided them very successfully and have some repeats. I would love a pale pink one, and ought to look out for one in readiness for next year. Any suggestions?

2. Sometimes it is the juxtaposition of plants that brings a smile to my face as here where the Pittosporum Tom Thumb which thankfully has survived the rather harsh trim and the silver leaved Lamium maculatum form a temporary twosome.  Temporary as I believe there are bulbs lurking beneath the Lamium which will be removed at some time during the winter or spring.  It got there are a little weed seedling and for now it stays. It gently self seeds and being easy to pull up, it usefully fills bare spaces around the garden especially protecting the earth during the winter rains, and offering cover for the various insects.

Lamium maculatum

3. Another lovely leaf pop is supplied by the chartreuse green leaves of the Persicaria 'Golden Arrow'. My friend Maggie gave me a small piece somewhile ago, and I have been able to divide and place them around the garden.  This particular one was burnt to a crisp, and just before the rains, I cut it to the ground, now it has re-emerged fresh and chartreusey.

4. Another Aster and one which I divided earlier in the year is Aster Pyrenaeus 'Lutetia'.  She has had a rather tough year, but has had no watering since the initial two or three weeks settling in water. Here she is sprawling through to reach a 'look at me position', through the Miscanthus nepalensis.

Aster Pyrenaeus 'Lutetia'

I need to think over the best position for these Asters.  All three plants of Lutetia and in 'subprime' positions.

5. During the summer this pale lemon calendula, seeds supplied by SOS sister gathered from her garden, has been a beautiful counterpoint to the other colours in the garden. I call it 'Lemon Heaven' as I dead head it., In one case also the plant was cut back almost to the ground.  It has since come up rather well.  

Calendula 'Lemon Heaven'

During the heat the flowers were imperfectly formed, and I thought maybe the form of the plant had degraded due to some unknown genetic condition, but it was just the heat, and like many of us, we flourish only when 'normal weather' resumes.

6.  Although I no longer have my very small veg border, I still grow a number of herbs.  I find them decorative and delicious, and I certainly would not be without the Allium tuberosum, or more easily remembered as Garlic Chives. 

They hadn't been watered either during the summer, and from the number of flowers, I think it is time to refresh the plants and autumn is a good time. This time of the year they throw up their flowers and they are another form of nectar for the insects. There was a small copper again this year on them, but I didn't have my phone on me.  I shall leave the flowers for the bees and butterflies, then divide and share amongst my gardening friends locally.

That's it for this week, except that the garden threw up another interesting insect observed for the first time here. I found it dead in the shower room, which is just by a length of ivy covered fence, so it may well be Oedemera femoralis.  

Oedemera femoralis

I hadn't realised its rarity, otherwise I would not have thrown it back outside after I took the picture.  I'll be sure to observe it more carefully next time.

Six on Saturday - 12 September 2026

The weather continues to be garden friendly with rain and also sunny episodes.  This gardener is certainly in a better frame of mind. I am joining in with others over at Jim's as usual for Six on Saturday meaning six things from the garden this week, with a little blurb to go with it.

1. With flowers refreshed, insects are visiting in greater number with bumblebees, crab spiders and shield bugs here. The young Robin has developed a fine singing voice certainly far better than a few weeks ago.  He has been enjoying a good supply of proper robin food meaning worms and many have been brought up as a result of removing old plants and planting new.

2. With a little more rain, and the ground starting to take in humidity, it was time to make some hard decisions.  I mentioned that I had removed the apple tree and now that area has a new planting of the Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata which I have had for around 12 years and until now planted up every few years into larger pots.

Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata

3. Elsewhere I decided that one Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' was sufficient for a small garden, and also growing along side a large clump of Iris Sibirica Silver Edge was ready to be divided.  And so the cornus was dug up, and the Iris divided and shared amongst several friends, and then there was space.  What a fabulous feeling!  Space to plant two plants that I had been nurturing since last year in pots. 

It is just a year since the Cercidiphyllum japonicum with its autumn caramel scent and Corylopsis Sinensis which will have early yellow spring flowers with a wonderful scent arrived from Jurassic Plants as very small young plants, and after a year in pots it was time to get them into the ground. 

Corylopsis Sinensis ahd Cercidiphyllum Japonicum

4.  Different types of cyclamen are up even some sown a few years ago by ants, which were collecting seed from special cyclamen being grown in pots resting on top of the low wall. Growing in chippings with virtually no soil, and the top of the tuber above ground, I am leaving them as a reminder of the resilience of nature, or at least cyclamen.

Cyclamen hederifolium

5. I picked up a couple of plants this week just to add a little colour at this time of the year.  I had been meaning to add a buddleja to the garden if only to please the many butterflies that visit.  It is still a small shrub but in time will grow up to 1.5 metres high.  It has a lovely scent.

Reve de Papillon Red

It is now in the ground.

6. Again from Thomas D'Arcy, Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn' (Garnet) has been added to the garden if only to offer up trumpet flowers for the Hummingbird Hawkmoths which continue to visit the garden. I've also seen big fat bumble bees visit the blooms. 

Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn' (Garnet)

It too is now planted out. Soon cuttings of this will be taken, and I think that all the pots with plants waiting to be planted out, except for pots of cuttings which are being rooted, and will be kept under shelter during the winter,  are now empty. 

I love the autumn and its lower light levels and early morning slanting light...wouldn't it be lovely to have a few Amaryllis belladonna which Jim has shown this week?