Softness and bounty

The soft pillowy shapes of the hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ form a pale, cushiony backdrop to the richness of the other early autumnal offerings in the walled garden just now: blobs of bright dahlias splodge cheerfully up the twin hot borders, overhung by late flowering honeysuckle and ripe, wasp-buzzing pears; the rudbekia which we have with great self-control not picked yet is bulking up and will soon be a wonderful treat for somebody who likes warm muted toffee tones; half hardy annuals like snapdragons and cosmos power dutifully on, although they are looking a little tired now. How pleased we are with ourselves for some things - remembering to sow some late sweet peas in early May, which are now producing lovely long healthy vines of fragrant flowers - and how we kick ourselves when we think of others - not sowing more rudbekia; not anticipating just how enormous some of the big fat florist chrysanthemums would grow with this year’s favourable conditions, and failing to give them adequate support. We live and learn.