Summers over

Fuchsias

Determined and voracious aphids have attacked almost all of my fuchsias this year, wiping out 70% of the flowers and I only noticed when it was too late. I’ve pruned out a lot of the worst damage, and, as is the habit of these dainty little warriors, they are regenerating and showing signs of budding. Too late? Perhaps, but in my sheltered garden flowers often survive longer than in more exposed areas, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I’m confident of a fabulous September! – no grounds for this you understand – call it women’s intuition combined with ‘sods’ law – the weather always improves when the kids go back to school.

Blackbirds

This is our Mr Blackbird, recognisable by his distinctive white markings and also by the fact that he is extremely partial to sultanas, only Waitrose sultanas mind you, he’ll have no truck with the cheap sticky ones!

Clematis

The clematis always do well here, no matter how wet it is. I’ve continued to deadhead them as I’m fairly convinced this aids longevity of flowering.

Butterflies

These valiant little creatures sally forth at the briefest ray of sunshine, like dazzling floppy handkerchiefs drunk on buddleia and anemone. We’ve had mainly peacocks and red admirals but had a visit from this little gatekeeper a few weeks ago – there were two of them, rushing together then spiralling away, they only stayed for an afternoon. No tortoiseshells yet this year, no fritillaries and only the occasional small blue (to fast for a photo).

Couldn’t you just eat roses when the rain has just touched them!