Summer Plants and Winter Frost

I was looking out over the front garden just the other week and was thinking you wouldn't know it isn't summer. The garden looked in full bloom with hydrangeas, lavenders, roses, daphne and honeysuckle still flowering. Many of the summer annuals were still flowering in their pots - in fact they've looked so lovely I haven't got around to swapping them over with winter bedding plants yet. I've usually replanted the pots and baskets long before now, but it's been a mild autumn and the plants have been thriving rather than dying back. It seemed a shame to uproot them for new ones yet. 

As November came to an end, December and the meteorological beginning of winter arrived - officially winter and with it came the cold, ice and heavy frost. The heavy frost turned the garden into a whole new world of white, transforming its look and all the plants into something new and magical. 

Of course, those last summer plants have begun to fade now after the heavy frost and it's time to get my skates on and replace them with some winter bedding before the year is out. It's a milder week weatherwise so it's an ideal time to put the garden to bed for winter, do a last tidy and visit the garden centre before the winter bedding plants are all sold out and replaced with Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. 

Budapest

I recently visited Budapest and besides exploring this city and all its stunning sights, views, architecture and the Danube River, I also kept an eye open for plants and flowers like I always do. We visited in late September, the weather and temperature echoed very similar to ours here in England. We enjoyed beautiful warm sunny days with perfect temperatures for walking and exploring and then cooler nights as the sun descended over the Danube River.

There were beautiful arrays of flowers flanking the riverside, similar again to our own plants here at this time of year - autumnal mixes of bright orange marigolds and deep red begonias, rose beds and daphnes surrounding the parliament buildings that make the iconic view on the edge of the river. 

The trees hadn't quite turned in readiness for autumn, but looked stunning against the frame of light stone architecture and along the tree lined avenues. Banks of ornamental grasses formed a soft edge to the spectacular buildings in their background - it was difficult to distinguish which was more breathtaking the architecture standing grand and tall or the swathes of frothy grasses that swayed in the breeze before them. 

One of my favourite places was Maragaret Island and its beautiful parkland and gardens. Set in the middle of the Danube River and accessed across the Margaret Bridge. The first thing we were drawn to was the waterfall garden. We sat and quietly watched the waterfall for a while and when we decided to make a move and explore further, suddenly we were taken by surprise - loud music started and the waterfalls started dancing. We sat back down smiling - warm sunshine, beautiful sights, then happy music and dancing waterfalls like a firework display. What more could you want to bring a little fun and happiness to the day?

Firey red hot poker plants surrounded the waterfalls adding even more brightness to the scene and the water cascades reaching high to the backdrop of the trees. 

Then more fun and laughter. How do you explore around this tranquil, green oasis when you've already been wandering and exploring for miles while you've been heading towards it without wearing yourself out? We were hoping for a romantic and peaceful horse and carriage ride - that's what the guide book had informed us. But no, not a horse and carriage in sight, so we plumped for a bicycle carriage made for two - something of a cross between a tandem and a pedallo. That turned out to be great fun as we pedalled and steered our way through the pathways and explored the beautiful gardens, woodlands and monuments. Aching legs later were well worth it for all the light hearted fun and happiness. 

The gardens still refelected summer time with salvias, verbenas and typical late August plants, but there were touches of autumnal colours, golds, browns and oranges of rubekias, marigolds and ornamental grasses. All very beautiful. 

Each evening, the sun would set above the river, the pink and purple hues accentuating and silhouetting the hills of Buda in contrast to the flat ground of Pest. Then the whole city would light up as dusk fell - more breathtaking views in every direction, especially from the superbly lit Chain Bridge. The bridge links the two sides of the city - Buda and Pest - and offers views stretching in all directions across the river and beyond to the Hungarian Parliament Buildings, the Royal Palaces, basilicas and churches. Simply stunning. 

August Garden

We've been lucky this summer to enjoy so much sunshine and it's been a real pleasure to be able to spend so many days and evenings purely enjoying the garden. 

The lavenders have been in full bloom, full of bees and butterflies and their perfume strong in the balmy heat. Hebes have looked gorgeous in their calming pastel shades of pink, blue and purple. I always love the hydrangeas at this time of year, persistantly giving us a show of large colourful flowerheads in dazzling pinks, blues, purples and softer whites and knowing they will bloom through until autumn. 

The gentle pinks of daphne and the vibrant purple of the tall verbenas wafting in the summer breeze are also a delight that carry us on through those early autumn months. The roses are enjoying continuously flowering, many of them giving a second late summer flush. 

My absolute favourite has to be the crocosia with its bright flame orange flowers. It always brings the garden back to life in late summer, lighting it with dazzling colour, refecting the subtle change of the seasons as high summer seemlessly runs to late summer and then the months of early autumn. The vivid orange of the flowers is like a beacon signalling the intense heat of August, but also preparing us for the russets, golds and red shades of autumn. 

There's something quite special about picking your own flowers for inside the house at this time of year too ...

Venetian Windows Boxes, Walls and Plants

We were recently back in Venice, one of my favourite cities in the world. For me, it's a city rich in beautiful architecture with neverending walkways, endless canals and bridges. We came back to just relax and simply walk and wander and explore what treasures we could find round each corner and sometimes even get lost - that's so easy to do in Venice! 

Loving plants and flowers though, I couldn't help but look out for some greenery and colour as we went along and I managed to spot many beautiful window boxes and tubs, which adding even more character to unusual buildings. I couldn't help but notice trees and climbers too, spilling over walls onto the walkways, all adding a little more splendour and character to this fascinating city. 

I loved these window boxes, brimming with Daphne in full flower enjoying the October sunshine. 

There were a few other colourful sights to add to the mix! 

I couldn't resist photographing these colourful chillis at the market. Then I spotted pomegranates hanging from a tall tree spilling over a wall - its bright reddish pink fruits looking colourful against the sheer blue sky. 

Frothy Russian vine spreading along the wall.

Shutters, pots and planters brighten up the painted and distressed walls - even the washing blends in! 

And there's plenty of sleepy green courtyards and squares to stop for a rest and a drink!