October 2023 Garden

I'm not sure where October has gone,  it's flown by.  British Summer Time finishes today (28/10/2023) and our clocks go back one hour.  It means we get an extra hours sleep, or an extra hour partying 🤭, I know what it will be in my case!

Spring Forward, Fall Back!

The garden is beginning to sleep,  leaves are falling and flowers have turned to seed.  It's not quite winter here though.   We still have some surprises,  we saw three Red Admirals when the sun was shining this morning. 

This Hydrangea is blue when it first flowers,  gradually they change to pink.  It's next to our compost bin and is a real beauty. 

The Cyclamen continue to flower in the gravel.

The very last flowers on the Japanese Anemones,  they have been incredible as always.

This photo doesn't do the Sea Holly justice,  the stems are a bright blue.  The Ice Plant is still going strong,  if a bit spindly.

The flower bed by the ponds.  The Curry Plant has survived so far, the Verbena is seeding and swaying in the breeze.  The Forget Me Nots refused to be forgotten!

Lastly, the hedge urgently needs attention and cannot be ignored any longer.  Its a big job, and in an effort to make this easier for the future,  we called on our son for some extra muscle.   It's not finished,  rain has stopped play, but we are determined to bring the height of the hedge down to a more manageable level.  There are no berries on this hedge, it's the best time to do this.

Before!

During!

Not quite halfway. 

Looking better, just before the rain!

We really need a few fine days to get it finished!  It's blood test day on Monday,  and another busy week ahead.   We will check for hedgehogs, and will clear the debris daily to the recycling centre.

The view from our back door.  Slightly unkempt,  and not at it's best, but I'm so appreciative to have it.