Last week we were beside the seaside and having a lovely late summer break.

We returned to a long, lush green lawn. Lovely husband did some mowing for the first time in months, and a bit of tidying around the pond. The green man carving is surrounded by forget-me-not seedlings. I’m already looking forward to seeing these in flower next year.

The Green Man, also known as a foliate head, is primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, representing the cycle of new growth each year. So it seems apt to have forget me nots around to keep the green man company, as they return each year setting seed for the next generation. On the left, the seedlings as they are now (plus cat) and on the right is the same spot in March of this year.

This is definitely the time of year that gardeners start thinking forward. It’s too dark and cold to sit outside in the evenings.

We’re thinking of buying bulbs and taking cuttings, reorganising borders and filling in a few gaps with autumn colour. The ‘horsey border’ looked great this year, but I reckon it’ll be even better next year. The colours are mostly pink and red with a few ‘pops’ of yellow like these marigolds.

The horsey border has a few new additions – rudbeckia and coneflower, they are settling in with salvia ‘hot lips’ and a pink sedum that are really well established here now.

We purchased this charming metal sandpiper from the Lost Gardens of Heligan. We had such a lovely time there, this is a sweet memento for the pond.

Some of the seedlings are doing well. The cosmos were really slow to get going, but are starting to bloom now, brightening up a few corners.

Mandy’s everlasting sweetpea seeds (posted from Aberdeen) have formed this lovely little group of strong looking plants.

And one of the two horse chestnut seedlings is doing ok.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan were amazing. These are wonderful gardens in Cornwall that are being restored. I particularly enjoyed ‘Buggingham Palace’ which is apparently the largest bug hotel in the country, and the famous ‘Mud Maid’ sculpture.

I’ve shared more snapshots from Heligan in another post.

Of course, while we were away I wasn’t developing or sharing my birdsong guessing game. So, according to the all powerful universal rule ‘sods law’ that’s the time that it attracted more attention and interest than before! It was nice to be beside the seaside watching the stats tick up for this game. Over 800 players have tried it now, and I’m getting some lovely feedback. You can try it for yourself at https://bird-times.lovable.app/

So that’s my six ish for the week.

Pop on over to Garden Ruminations to see what else is growing on in the gardens and beyond of the Six on Saturday bloggers.

J xx