I like to buy CDs at charity shops to play in the car, and recently have been listening to Crowded House. Don’t dream its over feels like an autumnal song to me, and we’ve certainly got the seasons turning here in Somerset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9gKyRmic20

It seems improbably late for so many green leaves to still be on so many of the trees. It’s weird weather again this year, and this does not feel like a good thing to me.

However, we have much to celebrate in the world, and particularly so here in the garden. Here’s six of the recent highlights.

Let’s start with this brave, slightly ragged little yellow rose, which has put out a bloom and a bud despite living in near constant darkness since the equinox.

The whirling butterflies are another white flower we have planted by the back door. On gardeners world yesterday we heard a tip from a gardener about using white flowers in shady areas, they really do ‘pop’ more than anything in blue – ish tones. This plant is known by many different names, and was officially renamed to add to the confusion. Whirling Butterflies is also known as Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’, syn. Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ or Lindheimer’s beeblossom.

Whatever you call it, call it fabulous.

Now how about these wonderful sumac leaves, from the tree in our front garden that we call Rishi Sumac, which has long outlasted the erstwhile UK Prime Minister. Or this Japanese Maple, which is next to Mr Sumac in the front garden, and is just marvellous at this time of year.

The Dahlietta (a dahlia hybrid, apparently) is still producing blooms. And finally, something we didn’t keep track of what it exactly it was when it was planted. Possibly some kind of pot marigold, african daisy or golden marguerite? I guess when the flower fully opens we might find out. Answers in a postcard please.

One day we might get into the habit of tracking what goes where, but honestly, where is the fun in that!

And finally, a Chorus Quest update! My birdsong guessing game now has six levels, collector medals and cards for sharing and comparing British birdsong.

Over 2000 players have tried Dawn Chorus Quest. It now has a proper website, with six locations to play, 80 birds to collect, and a leaderboard to share your success. 🙂

https://chorusquest.uk

For more garden collections of Six on Saturday, please visit Garden Ruminations, where Jim hosts this marvellous social media meme to share garden highlights each week.

I hope you have a lovely week, we’re off to a garden centre later today to pick up a few more plants, because there’s always room for a couple more…

Jen xx