This end of summer season- early autumn is always a little difficult to negotiate in the garden. The beds look slightly dishevelled, the colours are beginning to turn, and this year’s drought has done no favours to the roses …. and yet, there is still a lot of exuberance going on.
Right now, I am enjoying some six foot tall salvias in shades of mauve and blue; clouds of Japanese anemones and of course the all important dahlias.
Autumn bouquets are not for the faint hearted. They are robust and outspoken, then require space and the right backdrop. I put this one together at the end of the day yesterday, and even included some low hanging branches of apples from the potager.
Next year I definitely plan to have a lot of zinnias for extra colour, and to be more disciplined in staking the dahlias and the sedum. At the end of the day, a garden is never ‘done. It is always an ongoing striving for improvement, and a work in progress.
We have completely banned any chemical treatments from the garden, and although the bindweed can drive me mad, I am glad to see so much biodiversity, or to come across the occasional hedgehog, toad or lizards. All good signs that if you leave nature to do its thing, it will pay you back.
How about you? How is your garden growing at this time of year, and what are your plans for doing better next year?
19 comments
You have converted me to dahlias. I’ve been eliminating the lawn, which is so inappropriate in a dry region like the south of France. But the soil here is clay and as hard as concrete in summer. Before it hardened, I dug out a big section and have been doing in-ground composting. Goodness, it turns to rich earth quickly in the heat! I’d like to do the entire garden eventually, with just paths and crazy, wild plants that butterflies, bees and birds will enjoy. But that’s a lot of digging. For now, I’m happy with the stretch I’ve done.
You could try simply layering the compost and manure and mulch over the ground in the fall then not touching it until the spring, I think you’d be surprised by how much of the hard work will be done by nature . 🙂
Sharon
x
We moved into our new home last fall and this spring we started from scratch. We still need to plant more lavender, roses and hydrangeas. That will happen next spring.
Winter is for planning and spring is for getting out there to plant!!
Sharon
x
I’m saying goodbye to our lovely garden in a couple of weeks. We are moving after 22 years of designing this space that was absolute nothingness! and has been an adventure to create, right down to my little french garden planted with a potted fig tree, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries edged with a winding hedge of lovely scented lavender. The grapes are just ready to pick. Will I do it again in our new tiny home? We’ll see!
HI Judy, I can imagine what a bittersweet moment that must be 🙁 .
take care
Sharon
x
Thank you Sharon. I have thought of you in your potagers as I put in that little french garden! It has been my “touch of France” and was a delight to create. It may be in a terrace version in our new place!
That is so sad. So much work and joy. I bet you do it again because you had to enjoy it a great deal. Just maybe on a smaller scale. Good luck.
Thank you Victoria. There’s a lot of me in this garden. (I think it was the garden that sold it though) and you are probably correct that I will do a mini version!
Dear Sharon,
My garden looks pretty ragged now also. My dahlias and zenias are doing OK , although like you I should be more diligently staking my dahlias. I walk around my flower gardens with a journal each year deciding what is staying what is going. This year we are building a new greenhouse which allows me to get hundreds of flowers out of a pack of seeds. Enjoy your flowers. Love Victoria
Your dahlias are so pretty. Next year I’m going to look for some of those creamy pale pink ones. I have a few dahlias that finally flowered just a week or so ago. They took forever this year! My garden is beginning to look ragged, too, but the roses are putting out new buds even as the phlox and echinacea fade away.
Sharon,
Your gardens and flower arrangements are like the Balm of Gilead to those of us who live in harsh climates with sun-baking heat non-stop with no rain all summer. Thank you for sharing your flowers with us.
Judith
Gorgeous….lovely home…would be so excited to receive one of your gorgeous boxes…Thank you, Cheryl
Within the past 6 months, you have changed my new house into a true home with your special French accents. To surprise my daughter by winning the November box would be a dream come true!
My cosmos, nasturtiums and zinnias are flourishing and rampant; I throw the first two in salads and use them as garnishes, so the centrepiece sometimes matches the meal! My flowering vine beans and morning glories continue to erupt in colour. Half of my garden is focused on bee and butterfly- atracting flowers, and while the blooms are fading, both bees and butterflies continue to convene around these plants. WHile squirrels have decimated all my squash, I continue to harvest squash flowers daily, which is a delight. I cook them in olive oil and garlic as per the wonderful recipe you posted previously.
There have been some single-digit temperatire days, but surprisingly my Virginia Creeper, which covers one side of the fence and the top of a pergola, has barely begun to turn colour.
Sharon-
Your Gardens and flowers are absolutely stunning! I enjoy your Instagram posts! With all the rain we have had all summer long, its lovely to see your beautiful flowers and display! Thank you!
I love the whole idea of a Taste of France. Calming, charming, and beautiful. Thank you.
How do you deal with your bindweed. If you have any special tips, let me know!
Dear Sharon,
Your blog never disappoints. You have such beautiful photographs and your writing is always so inspiring. I love all things French and would be delighted to win the November box.
Regards,
Sharon
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