This month proved to be (by over 3°C) the warmest September on record. We were able to eat our lunch under the pergola on most days with the grapes ripening above our heads. We only noticed that autumn was approaching because the nights were drawing in. During our holiday in Scotland at the beginning of the month some of our vegetables succumbed to the drought – we did not want to ask the neighbours to water everything whilst we were away. However, some welcome rain in the middle of the month kept the colour going in the flower garden.
Ceratostigma - tt has a brilliant blue flower. (10/09/06)
Fairy Rose - a small pretty pink rose with clusters of flowers (10/09/06
Garlic Chive - even the garlic chive has produced a lovely flower. (10/09/06)
Hollyhock - this one was growing in the vegetable garden and was cut for the Meopham garden club show. (10/09/06)
Oxalis - our oxalis gives some colour to the fern garden. (10/09/06)
Pink Pompom Dahlia - the dahlias are still producing masses of colour in the garden. (10/09/06)
Polygonum - this polygonum is flowering for the second time. (10/09/06)
Red Geranium - the red geraniums are still doing well. (10/09/06)
Scottish Heather - this was an early Christmas present from Rosemarie and Frieder. (10/09/06)
Sedum - the sedums are doing well this year. Since we took one of the conifers down last year they now have more light. (10/09/06)
Cyclamen - the cyclamens tell us that autumn is fast approaching. (11/09/06)
Fuchsia - our Fuchsias are still colourful and keep producing new buds. (11/09/06)
Hops - they are ripe for picking but nobody is interested in brewing beer. (11/09/06)
Carnation - this carnation has been flowering throughout the summer. (19/09/06)
Ferns - they have now revived after a drop of rain. (19/09/06)
Kohlrabi - the first prize for the most unusual shaped vegetable at the garden show went to this kohlrabi. (19/09/06)
Apples - the apples are nearly ripe for harvesting. (21/09/06)
Grapes - the grapes on the pergola are prolific and sweet this year. (21/09/06)
Rosehips - the fruits of autumn (21/09/06)
Jerusalem Artichoke - the flowers of the Jerusalem artichoke show that they will soon be ripe for harvesting. (30/09/06)
Abelia - a plant that will still be flowering after the first frosts (30/09/06)
Runner Beans - the last of the runner beans (30/09/06)
Michelmas Daisy - now autumn really has arrived! (30/09/06)
Spiders - another sign of autumn: the spiders busy at work in our garden (30/09/06)