Autumnal Flowers

It's autumn and there's still plenty of colourful plants in the garden. The last of the summer bedding plants are still going strong and there's still fruit ripening on the apple trees and tomato plants. Salvias give displays of white and pink along the edge of the borders and the berries on the weeping cotoneaster tree are vibrant. 

Sedum plants have begun to bloom adding clusters of gentle and deep pinks and the verbenas are still happily reaching out to the sunshine we've had recently. Hydrangeas are another of my favourites, they can always be relied upon for that late summer and autumn colour. We've have different colours and varieties for interest in the front garden. 

Amongst the hydrangeas there's a scattering of other perennials still adding colour - catmint, Johnson's blue, anemones, late roses, geums and daphne. Then there are the autumn brights - the yellows of the potentillas and rudbekias. 

It's possibly one of the most beautiful times in the garden before autumn slips into winter and the days draw in. 

Plants by the Lake - on Garda, Italy

Situated in the mountains of Northern Italy, we enjoyed some time in Riva on the northern tip of Lake Garda. It's a stunning place with the dramatic turquoise of the huge lake and abundant with lush green foliage and plants set amidst the rugged mountain ranges. Lake Garda is situated halfway between Verona and Grescia and halfway between Venice and Milan. 

The climate is ideal for typical Mediterranean plants with the hot summer months and mild winters, but there can be rainfall especially in spring and late autumn, hence the lucious greenery and abundance of  colourful plants. There is a lovely cooling wind called the Ora, which blows down from the south each day, giving a unique, but predictable and pleasant climate, especially in the hot summer months. 

Riva is a colourful place, there are plenty of typical Mediterranean plants and the front promenades and gardens are full of bougenvillia - trees, plants and small shrub varieties - in arrays of mixed pastel and vibrant colours. The area has plenty of exotic palms mixed with cypress and willow trees fringe parts of the lake. They provide welcome shade in the heat of the day. 

High summer plants edge the lakes and pools of the gardens and parks - agapanthus with its blue hues, the bright oranges of crocosia and purples of buddleia bushes. There are plenty of summer rose beds giving off heady scents in the heat and I think the cream scented flowers on the yucca plants must be the best I've ever seen. 

Plants for August

There is still plenty of colour in our garden although it's late August. Here are a few of my favourite plants for August that always give a good show of colour when lots of other plants have been and gone ...

Sunflowers - always a welcome sign of late summer.

Different varieties of Salvia giving a good show and attracting  the bees still. 

Agapanthus just about to burst into flower.

Verbena is always one of my favourites for late summer, both tall and small varieties. 

Lower growing verbena

Crocosia hiding behind the verbena gives a hot orange colour to the side border.  

Rudbeckia in full bloom, adding an autumnal glow. 

July in the Walled Garden at Wimpole Estate

We often visit Wimpole Hall Estate in Cambridgeshire and at all different times of year. My favourite bit is the walled garden and the borders that surround it. There is always something interesting in there, whatever the time of year. There were some fabulous displays of plants and here are a few of the best for July. 

Catmint in front of crocosia

Busy bee! 

Verbena

Salvia

Fragrant lilies

Budding crocosia

Sunflowers

Geranium pots

Colourful views across the garden

Cornflowers

Agapanthus

Wild flower area

Poppies

Sheltered border

A range of healthy plants from the garden are on sale in the courtyard. We always like to pick up a few for our own garden. 

July is certainly a really good time of year to visit and discover spectacular displays and some of the herbaceous borders at their best.