Glass Butterflies

 Oh the signs of autumn are upon us. As I lie in bed, the trees opposite change gradually each day, there's condensation on the windows which double glazing never cured, leaves are swirling round the garden and its cold.

But the garden is bursting with colour  ..... mauves, oranges, reds.

I

But the main job today was cobbing. Over the year the outer layer is worn away by wind and rain, so periodically we add a layer. Well we haven't done it for two years and we never did get right round.

But today was cobbing with a difference.

Anne had the brilliant idea to decorate with the wings of a butterfly. After doing the cob layer she drew an outline in the wet mixture and we built up the cob into a 3D shape.

After a very late lunch we arrived back to find Anne in the throes of creativity.

The final result is stunning. 

I love it.

We've probably got another half to do and then some work on patching up the sedum roof.

A great day's work.

Dazzling Dahlias

 This is a post for dahlia lovers. It has been so dry and dahlias do need water. At home they just seemed to stop. Plenty of buds but not opening. I gave them quite a lot more water and I'm feeding them with a comfrey mixture. Now they are on the go again.

Here is a selection. Sorry not to have all the names. I am not very good at keeping labels in place when I over-winter the tubers.

Just recently I have discovered the national dahlia collection site and feasted my eyes on many new ones which I hope to acquire for next year.

I am definitely  addicted.

Garden Festival

The warm weather lingers on into mid-September. What glorious days for yurting or camping. Many visitors wandering through the garden but we haven't much to give away now ....perhaps just a few sweetpea seeds. 

Long chat with a very interesting lady from Worthing....a nurse, enjoying a well-deserved w.end away.

My job was to continue clearing and tidying one of the flower beds. I brought up verbena boniarensis and rose campion plants .... a mauvy pink theme going on here I think.

I gave them a good watering in and moved on to the next section of path to weed, saving self-seeded plants as I went.

Where did the 5th chick come from? Anne assures me it has always been there. I think the foster mother must have been sitting on one. The chicks are Polish Pompoms.

The dahlias continue to bloom. I have a new theory. I don't think the bigger tubers do so well. I may be doing more splitting in the autumn. The pot lucks with a single tuber have been fantastic.

I found out the name of our most prolific dahlia. It is called "Garden Festival."

The toadstool table has been a great success with children, who like to rearrange the ladybirds and fairy furniture.

I planted helichrysum seeds very late but the plants are producing a steady supply of flowers.

I hope the lovely weather continues.

Cobshed Fairies and Guest Gardens

Lots happening here even though it is coming up to the end of the season .... believe it or not.

Oliver came to stay at the Owl yurt with his mum and dad. He has been coming here since he was two years old. Whilst he was here he created this wonderful fairy garden.

The detail is fantastic.

What a clever boy he is. I was very impressed.

Elsewhere around the garden, fairies and other woodland folk have moved into the cobshed. They are all happy to see anyone if you just peep through the round windows.

One of my jobs has been to make a start on the compost heaps. In actual fact it was far easier than I had expected. The compost was like black gold and was spread around the garden. Then it was refilled with everything stacked at the side. Glad to do that. I didn't want it decomposing next to the new fence.

The sunflowers are still going strong. I highly recommend Sun King for its long lived flower heads. I've saved lots of seeds.

This one has seeded itself alongside the polytunnel.

Bumblebees are still busy.

And the chicks are growing.