Weekend Bounty

Firstly I’d like to thank Laura, Kyna, Cheryl and Frances for giving the sun back! It worked a treat, only I’ve spent the weekend constantly sticky and hot. I’m not so sure which I’d prefer.

Such a fickle thing aren’t I?

My bounty from the weekend garden centre spree are:

3x Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’
2x Scaled Male fern
2x Lavender Hidcote
2x Veronica ‘Twilight’
2x trays Violas
1x Atilbe ‘Showstar’
1x tray of Rudbeckia ‘Toto Gold’
1x Lupin ‘Gallery White’
1x large hanging basket
1x Stick of Unicorn Rock for Pete (tee hee)

Oh and did I mention that I only actually picked up 3 things I planned to get at the garden centre? I knew it was the wrong time of year for them, so I am not too surprised.

Between the gardening jobs a lot of time was spent chasing the Butterflies. It was wonderful to see so many along the hedge, the most I counted within a couple of metres was 7. 4 Gatekeepers, 2 Whites and 1 Meadowbrown. I was in awe, but sadly did not catch the Meadowbrown or Whites, so you’ll have to be happy with the Gatekeepers!

Gatekeeper

There were 2 Commas on the Buddleja too.

Some sort of fly…

A Dunnock is quick to pick up the Insects/Spiders we disturbed when cutting the hedge. You can just make it out almost in the centre of the photo… Sorry I had the wrong lens on!

Gatekeepers enjoying the Sea Holly again

Bees don’t often get this close to each other!

Rudbeckia ‘Toto Gold’

I spotted this sneaky moth, very well hidden indeed! It’s a Silver-Y and you can easily spot its name sake…

Is it just me, or is it common for Nicotiana to get so huge? See the bright green plant in the centre of the photo???! I certainly have never seen them so large.

And of course, no summer would be complete without warm, golden evenings watching the grass sway…

Ok, who stole the sun?

It’s about time we had the sun back now. Enough of this dull weather thankyouverymuch.

You don’t have to own up, just give it back and I won’t say a word.

Big plans for this border next year. Every year it’s a let down, it’s just too shady because it’s so steep and then the Buddleja takes over and casts yet more shadow. The plants are wrong, so it’s time to get it sorted!!

Does anyone know whar type of wasp this is? I know it isn't your usual yellowjacket as it's too small, thin etc.

Wish me luck, I'm off to Dobbies today...I may come back with more than I bargained for!

A date with a skipper

Saturday saw yet more sun, wind, clouds, rain, all we needed was snow and hail and it would’ve been complete.

I popped out to check on the new border and pull up some more spent poppies, just as I was ferreting through all the growth I noticed this skipper right by my face on the verbena bonariensis.

It didn’t move.

Into the house I ran to snatch the camera

It began to rain whilst taking the above shot… still the Skipper remained.

Amazingly it was still there when the sun came out and if you look closely you can see the raindrops on it.

And much later, it was still there. Choosing to come back to the Verbena time and again. (wow, that Aphid looks huge!)

A Weekend of Butterflies

I was very impressed last weekend with the number of Butterflies I saw... It's a shame the weather this week has been so mixed and rainy that I fear many may not have survived.

I didn't manage to catch all on camera; Whites, Small Copper and many Gatekeepers (they just would not settle!), but here are a few:

Finally, I caught my first Comma on camera…

I saw a few of these last weekend and eventually managed to sneak up on one! Small Skipper

And then we had a visitor in the living room… A Speckled Wood…

It wasn’t quite ready to leave…

And enjoyed a good few minutes on my hand.

Whilst Pete had a go at taking some photos!

I don’t think he has any grounds to tell me he isn’t good at it.

And onto the garden…

Drumstick Alliums are dotted seemingly everywhere… Why do I have no recollection of planting so many?

Monkshood finally graces the new border, perhaps I ought to stake it next year?

Shasta Daisies in the border by the kitchen, they are growing in too much shade and need moving next year.

Flat-topped Asters have opened… They seem to be early, so much for the Autumn border!

Yarrow yet again!

And wild field poppies

Veronicastrum bought a few weeks ago, this was part of my original border plan, but for some reason I didn’t get any… I’ve no idea why not. I need more.

Sea Holly is turning blue, I look forward to the Butterflies and Bees swarming all over it again!

Lupin in its second flush.

Lavender angustifolia bought along with the Veronicastrum in memory of my Aunt who passed away very suddenly a around a month ago.

Black Lilyturf in flower, I am very pleased that both plants have survived and I may just have to get more!