Late Summer Colour, the Secret Garden

[puddleshark]

Well, the weather was much nicer than forecast. No rain. Blue skies, and small, fluffy, white clouds, travelling quite fast, as if on urgent personal business. But a rather strong and playful wind made flower photography a little challenging, even within the walls of the Secret Garden.




I don't know what variety of dahlia these are, but they're stunning. Such a rich colour!











In the Rose Garden, just a few roses still flowering, somewhat rain-battered. But who expects late summer roses to be perfect?





But the roses are planted round with lavender and calendula, so there's still some interest in the garden (for bees and humans, both).



Butterflies taking full advantage of the Buddleia and Verbena bonariensis.






A Wall butterfly (Lasiommata megera), on a Wall (19th century brick).


Even the Brimstones were joining the party.


Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) visiting the Salvia.


You can see where the macroglossum ("big/long tongue") comes from...

Comments

[heleninwales]

I know we're not quite into August, but those colours are starting to look more autumnal somehow.

[puddleshark]

Yes. Everything seems a month ahead this year. This garden is advertising a Salvia Festival in September, but I wonder whether the salvia will still be in flower by then...

[mallorys_camera]

Feels like it was a very quick summer this year. Sigh...

[bleodswean]

Lol. It's ONLY mid-summer, people!

[puddleshark]

I know... But everything's weirdly out of kilter this year. Flowers and fruits appearing a month early. I see Harebells flowering along the lanes, red berries on the Hawthorn, and my brain thinks "Must be late August".

[puddleshark]

Yeah. The roses came and went in a flash. And suddenly it's dahlia season.