A pretty Sedum i was sent from the USA,..sorry i have not looked up its name but its a lovely addition to my wall.

Philip

Hi Acadiafun,
Thank you!,..Cosmos are really coming to the fore just now.

Philip

Philip, what a beautiful September garden you have. Your snapdragons put mine to shame, though I suspect they may be overcrowded in the pot I put them in. I would like to try cosmos next year and didn't realize they were more of a late season bloomer.

Hi Arlene,
We are 46 days into our Autumn and its still short sleeves weather with temperatures in the garden still around 22C-70F,..the Cosmos started blooming in August but despite all the blooms they have not fully bloomed nor reached their normal height as yet still they are putting on a good show,..yes do try growing them next year as they are well worth the effort plus they self seed.

My Snapdragons are well established plants,..i think this is their third year,..do take cuttings as they are very easy to start,..just nip off a branch that has not flowered dip them in rooting powder/gel and stick them in the ground and they will grow rapidly.

Philip

I think what amazes me (besides the excellent photography) is the range of plants you are able to grow. They cross numerous climate zones.

Jim

Hi Jim,
We are described as having no set climate,..though warm and moist,..the last snow we had in my location was in 2010 though we do get frost here,..my garden is well sheltered,..in 2010 most gardeners here lost their "Spanish Bayonet" trees but mine were not harmed at all,..just about any plant i try out in the garden will grow,..i did over step the mark when i started a Banana Tree,..it reached 4Ft but then had to be taken indoors that was when i lost it,..i didn't mind as it was too big for indoors.

Thanks for your comment about the photography,..its all down to a pocket sized Sony DSC-W55 7.2 megapixel camera which i always have in my shirt pocket plus i get sunbeams in my garden that enhance certain areas.

Philip

Beautiful, perfect blooms as usual Phillip, and I loved those roses. Looks as though you live in a wonderful cottage that matches your blooms! I got a heat resistant Delphinium, hope it lives up to it's name. Cosmos will not survive the summers here, yours are beautiful. The Elephant Ear is growing really well, mine are also getting bigger, they will spend this winter in the greenhouse.

Hi Dusti,

I can tell you have a soft spot for roses,..yes the cottage is great,..i have lived here for the past 10 years,..its a quiet location and of course its the garden that is top of my list,..the pets come second though i may be fooling myself there as they all are a very demanding lot,..9 cats and a dog lol.

So you got yourself a special Delphinium,..heat resistant as well,..i hope it thrives for you and then you can collect the seeds or take cuttings to increase your stock.

Its a shame the Cosmos would not survive for you,..intense heat reduces the opportunity of having many flowers and you really get the heat,..oh delighted your Elephants Ear is growing well,..i have to yet decide if i can chance mine in my small walk in greenhouse or did it up and store the bulb,..the latter will be fine as it arrived here from Texas just after Christmas and i stored it until Spring.

Below are roses that i grew from cuttings,..they are pink through Summer then turn white in Autumn,..the picture was taken this evening.

New York Asters blooming today,..they should keep blooming until the frost.

Alyssum Lobularia Maritima,'Sweet Alyssum'.
They are creating a nice sweet scent into the house today.

Digitalis,'foxgloves',
These will be ready for next Spring/Summer,..grown from seeds i sowed in June.

Climbing Rose,..not so many blooms just now but they surprise me at times and give a final wave before Winter.

Phillip, those roses are so pretty, and yes, they are my favorite. Thanks for sharing yours, and here is a picture of Darcey Bussell, blooming for the first time! Your cottage seems to be in a perfect location for growing a beautiful garden. After viewing The River, I read that Lough Ree and the River Shannon are favorite vacation spots for many in the UK.

Sounds as though you have a lively house, lol. I used to do rescue, so bless you for taking them in and giving them a home! I have several dogs, and am very happy that none of them dig up the garden..

Your New York Asters are lovely, but they won't grow here. Many stores sell plants that have no hope of surviving past a few months. I've started ordering from Annie's Annuals and Perennials in California. They sell cottage style perennials, similar to what you have, and impossible to find in Phoenix.

This year I bought a small greenhouse, since there are so many tropical plants around the patio. They will freeze if left outside, and expensive to replace. It would be great to see a picture of your greenhouse.

Hi Dusti,
Congrats on your Darcey Bussell rose blooming for the first time,..a very pretty rose indeed it has a nice tinge to it,..i hope you get many blooms from this bush.

Yes we get lots of tourists from the UK here,..renting a four or five berth cruiser is fairly reasonable in price at present the town is full of American Tourists who raise an eyebrow when they spot me wearing an Indiana Hoosiers Baseball Cap lol.

Our Stores do likewise to yours,..selling plants that attract customers but they don't survive very long,..i am always shocked at some of the plants friends purchase.

Oh my SMALL greenhouse,..as i mentioned its only a walk in type but serves its purpose on the odd occasion as most of my plants remain outside during Winter.

The small greenhouse.

Two of my 10 pets,..Dennis the kitten and Molly the dog,..Dennis still thinks he is a dog lol.

Hi Philip, I'm pleased you like the rose, not the easiest thing to grow here. The Mary Rose put out one very small bloom, hope the cooler fall weather helps.

I know you spent time in Indiana, but you know Americans want quaint when visiting other countries. They want to go back in time, especially in a romantic and historical place like Ireland, and you wearing an American baseball cap just doesn't jive with their ideas, lol!

Thank you for posting a picture of your greenhouse. I almost bought one very similar, but didn't think it would stand the heat, and might get blown over during the monsoons. Didn't want the bother of taking it down for the summer, so I spent a little more for a hard sided one.

I love your dog and kitten! What a sweet picture, Dennis and Molly can strike a pose, lol. I remember seeing Molly in your River video, and meant to ask if she was your dog.

Awwww Molly!!! & Dennis looks like my Mr Kitty- formerly Miss Kitty :) Ohhh Philip !!!! Such a pleasure to see your pics & read your posts ! I'm running out & buying rooting powder tomorrow !!! Who'd imagine delphiniums coming up now ??? Or foxgloves ... Hmm - had I sown Foxglove seeds again in June - you mean to tell me I'd have some now ? I thought they were spring plants - like rose campion. So kind of you to share your wealth of info & lovely photos. Can't wait to show you my very soft pink mums when they bloom very soon. They are so lovely !

Hi Dusti,
Yes indeed i liked your rose,..and am always interested when i see a rose i don't have,..i do "mess about",..with my roses when i have time to spare and weather permitting,..taking cuttings would be first on the list as if you have one good rose why not have a second for free from a cutting,..if a person is lucky you can find a rose growing from a fallen rose hip that dropped before the frost then it will have gone through a proper cycle,..dang!,..there is a term for this but my mind is blank,.. though no guarantee it will resemble any rose you already have as most likely it was cross pollinated by bees.

I envy you having a solid greenhouse as i presume less bother than the plastic,..one of my cats decided to jump from the shed on to it last year and started sliding and of course claws opened,..yes shredding would be the best description of the result lol.

More of Molly Video Molly

Philip

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Hi Cenepk,
Ah yes you would have had sturdy Foxgloves coming up in Autumn had you planted seeds in June,..anything that self seeds will work,..the Delphinium cuttings i took are looking healthy this week,..i must take some shots of them tomorrow.

So you had a Mr Kitty who was formerly a Miss Kitty lol,..yes i have had that,..now i wait until they start showing signs of what they are before giving them a name or select a name that will apply to either Mr or Missy.

Looking forward to seeing some nice soft pink Moms soon.

Philip

===============================================

I took quite a few cuttings of the yellow rose below some seem to have taken so i hope they will be healthy for spring as they have a fantastic scent.

I sowed some "Cape Daisy" seeds and yellow blooms then blue blooms appeared,.. now a tad late are the ones below,..there should have being chocolates as well,..they might appear before frost arrives.

General view with some Hollyhocks still in bloom though looking tatty at this stage.

Thank you so very much for your kind response Philip !!!! Just never gave it much thought, I reckon. I knew you could sow veggies in succession. I will have a steady stream of foxgloves & delphiniums. They are both my favorites. Who am I kidding ? I love everything but rudbeckia - which here- is a thug that evicts all ALL other plants !

California Poppies just coming into bloom,..though very late.

Update on the Elephants Ear,..big leaf showing and still looking healthy despite the fall in temperature,..down to 23C-74F this week.

Roses with no name,..they sure change shape this time of year.

A lighter pink.

Peach.

I have no idea how I missed this thread! What a wonderful batch of photos.
I didn't know about taking cuttings of lupine. Thanks for that tip. Although, my woodchucks were taking "cuttings" all season. They're gone now so finally things are putting out new growth and not being eaten immediately. I just noticed lots and lots of foxglove seedlings in a couple beds. Don't even remember having foxglove in these beds which I found odd? But happy about it anyway.

I think this is just a great time of year. The lighting in the garden is only going to get better over the next few weeks. Can't wait to see more pics from your garden!

Thanks for the Molly video, Phillip! I enjoyed watching it, Molly is such a sweet and pretty dog! I'm already a member of her fan club.

The latest pictures are beautiful, I love the roses, the Cape Daisy flowers with the rain are perfection! You may think your late season Hollyhocks look tatty, but I'd be thrilled to have them.

The Elephant Ear has gotten so large, I started mine a few weeks before you, and they are half the size. It should be quite an amazing plant next year.

I also grow African Violets, and they can mutate or "sport" differently from the parent plant. Is that the word you were thinking of?

So funny about one of your cats sliding down the greenhouse, lol. I reckon the hard sided one will hold up under the assault if dog claws, since I don't have a cat. Please post more pictures of your furry household, I'd love to see them!

Hi thyme2dig,

Glad you found the tip about Lupine cuttings useful,..it saves sowing seeds,..you did make me laugh here about your woodchucks taking cuttings all season,..interesting and a nice surprise to see your Foxgloves seedlings coming up where you don't remember having them,..they do pop up when you least expect even when you didn't have them the previous year.

Lupin cuttings i took on 14th Sept and rose cutting from earlier.

Lupine.

Asters.

Hi Dusti,

Nearly missed seeing your post as it came up just after i had logged out,..soo your now a fan of Molly lol,..such a goofy dog and smiles,..or so people tell me so often i see it myself now,..oh i did have another dog to keep Molly company she was named Hodson and i had her for 18 years she died of old age,..it was worse than a family loss and i still can not look at her video,..its below.

Video===Hodson

Video===The Cats

Now they should keep you occupied lol.

About the Elephant Ear,..this was my first time to grow one and i am informed i should either dig it up and store the bulb or cut it back and take it inside,..i will really have to make up my mind very soon as nights are getting cooler here,..i will study more on the plant tomorrow then decide.

That word i was looking for came to me last night duh,..stratification,..no wonder it wouldn't come to mind,..i should have known it as its the main procedure for getting rose seeds to sprout seedlings,..a moist kitchen towel with seeds on top,..with anti fungus spray,...place in a plastic bag for approx 16 weeks,..in the fridge so stratification will take place before they sprout seedlings.

Oh yes i also liked that picture of the Cape Daisy with the raindrops.

Philip

Thanks Phillip, for sending the videos, I loved watching them! Hodson was well loved, so nice when your pets live to old age. Great choice of music, and the cats are beautiful. They remind me of cats I used to have.

Speaking of seeds, I just put some vegetable seeds for the fall garden under my African Violet lights. Another batch of seeds came up outside and got eaten by birds. Hope this goes better! I'm terrible with getting seeds to start but decided to try again, since the first batch at least sprouted, lol.

Philip, I loved your videos. Hodson looked so sweet. One can tell by her face and gentle eyes that she was a special girl. The cats are adorable. Have you ever thought of making a calendar with some of your pictures? I don't suppose you have any rodents in your garden, 'eh?!

Do you take the cuttings of lupine in the first or second year, or doesn't it matter? I had started a bunch from seed last year and now that the woodchucks are gone they are really getting nice and big. I'm confusing myself though about lupines now. I thought the foliage grows year one, then year two they flower, and then they're done. I did a lot of deadheading this year with lupines I had planted last year, and then wondered if that was a big mistake since I won't have any seeds dropping in that area, and both that I deadheaded are gone. Brown sticks only. Do you have any tips or secrets for having lupine in your beds year over year? While I've done a lot of various cutting and seeds starting, I'm trying to ease back on how much of that I've been doing. Thinking more about winter sowing this year, but when I've tried that before the seedlings were much smaller then when I started them inside under lights. A lot easier though!

Hi Dusti,

thank you for viewing the videos and delighted you enjoyed them,..yes Hodson was very special she never needed training as she was tuned into what ever i was doing i only had to gesture with my head or hands and she understood me then i suppose living with me for so long she fully understood my ways.

The cats are different,..they turn up a half hour before breakfast and evening meals then head off to explore,..they do come indoors for a good sleep and i just let them have the run of the house,..thankfully all are house trained.

Sorry to hear your seedlings were scoffed by the birds and i hope you have success with the indoor ones,..yes i find it better to sow indoors or in the hot house,..between birds and slugs one could lose the lot,..i used to make wooden frames covered with chicken wire they were a success but took up a lot of space which i don't have.

===============================================
Hi thyme2dig,

Ah yes with Hodson it was the eyes that got you,..she was great company,..and sadly missed,..Molly is only interested in food and petting,..sometimes i get the impression she doesn't understand English lol.

Oh it often entered my head to make a calender as i have a friend in Oregon who also has quite a few cats,..we send Cat Calenders to each other,..its an idea you refreshed in my mind.

About the Lupine,..once the cuttings are taken from young shoots they will take,..the same with Delphiniums,..but i seldom take cuttings from Lupine from the base of the plant as after the Lupine has finished flowering you will see a bulb like growth on the stem,..just cut below this and dip it in the rooting powder/Gel plant it in the greenhouse or cover it with a transparent plastic bag ensuring the plastic isn't touching it and it will be 99% sure to take,..select a strong plant that has flowered very well for you.

I don't cut my Lupine back after flowering i just leave it be,..granted if some leaves look bad i cut them off,..below is one single purple Lupine before it fully bloomed in July,

I do get snails and slugs in my garden,..luckily i have a little friend who eats all the slugs,..he has a mate and they may have young but i have not spotted them as yet,..The Hedgehog,..the cats just ignore him wisely as he has sharp spines.

He or they sleep in my garden shed,..i closed the door while i was working in the garden just in case one of the cats went in,..poor Hedgehog found himself locked out.

Awwww he's so pretty !!!!!

That's hilarious, Philip !!! How big is he ? Nervy sort- with all the kitties...

Philip ! I bought root hormone & potted Confederate rose, vinca, zinnia, strawberry tree, pussy willow tree, a sticky shrub w pretty blooms, & many groundcovers !!! Thanking you for the FABULOUS tip !!!!!

Crying laughing Molly doesn't understand English ! Hahahaha ! I know my pics load sideways- I tried Photo bucket & gave up after 3 weeks of loading- Can I please beg you to cock your head & advise about my 2nd year 2" lupines ? I planted seeds 2 years ago- this is what I've got - wt ... ???? Philip ? Thank you in advance !

Wish we could grow lupines in this climate. They just don't like the heat and humidity. I like the bright cosmos in the fall.

Hi Cenepk,

I agree he is a pretty boy however known to carry fleas and has poor eyesight due to mostly coming out and about at night,..in my case i think he found the cat food tasty and arrived each evening at feeding time,..size wise he is about the size of an American football NFL type,..two VERY short videos below,..i keep small videos in Photobucket.

Video===Hedgehog At My Feet

Video===Hedgehog And Cats.

Oh boy you visited the Garden Store and went wild lol,..fingers crossed they all thrive for you and great to see you got the Rooting Powder,..i couldn't manage without it.

About your Lupine,..and the picture,..seeing my head is sideways lol,..first the Lupine seeds should be soaked overnight in lukewarm water,..sow them in the Autumn/Fall as they are another plant that likes to go through a cold spell before spring,..its that word again stratification,..remember that snails and slugs love Lupine like they do Hosta so make sure you protect them,..Lupine will come back in the same spot for several years like Perennials however some are only Annual and last only for a season though i have never had the latter,..oh they don't like to be moved,..they will grow but remain smaller for a season or two,..same with Foxglove.

Don't know what happened to your Lupine in the picture as it could be a multitude of things but i would try taking cuttings when they are at the stage in the picture but when the cuttings take plant them somewhere else.

There is a Free program named Faststone Image viewer which enables you to rotate pictures on your computer,..resize,..crop and copy them from there to the Forum,..give it a try,..its what i use..

==============================================

Hi Mantis,

Sorry to see you can not grow Lupine there,..if its any consolation there are many plants i would like to grow here but its a wet climate so plants for a warm dry climate are difficult to grow.

Philip

I love the Hedgehog! Willing trade him for one of these barking dogs. Tonight, after a tough day at work, I was watching TV in the living room, the dogs were playing and barking, so I retreated to the bedroom, where they followed and started up again, lol.

He has sharp looking spines, but you feed him, so he must be more like a pet. Would love to see the family, if you ever get lucky enough to take their picture.

Hi Dusti,

Despite the fact i love my dog there are days she tests me to the limit,..today she ate the blind cats food so i put another dish of food in the bathroom,..i just nipped into the bedroom for seconds and lo and behold she had eaten that dish grrrrrrr,..i can imagine you retreating in vain to the bedroom lol,..though i shouldn't laugh,..they really are like small children.

The Hedgehog has strong sharp spines indeed and to protect themselves when danger lurks they roll into a ball,..nothing can get through to harm them,..oh so far no sign of baby Hedgehogs but below are some pictures of Mr Hedgehog and the bigger one is Mrs Hedgehog,..the pictures were taken through the glass door.

Upgrading to eating from a container.

Training in table manners.

Seeing they have poor eyesight i was curious to see how they would react to a scrubbing brush lol,..it was surely confused.

Thanks so much for sharing the Hedgehog pictures, Phillip! Loved the happy couple,the scrub brush picture was so funny, as well as the place setting. I see you're having fun with them.

I'm sorry to hear Molly ate the blind cat's food. Poor moggy, how does she find her way around? Dogs are opportunists, and rarely miss a chance around food. The harder and more stressful the week, the more they can be counted on to act up. Sigh..

Good news about the seeds under lights, some are already starting to sprout! I may have a fall crop yet. If this works, will post a picture.

Hi Dusti,

Great to hear your seeds are starting to sprout under the light,..where there is a will there is a way,..i sowed some Columbine seeds in the hot house and they were big enough to place outdoors though i will sow more as they are the red ones which i didn't have in my garden which has lots and lots of others.

Having fun with the hedgehogs is right,..you know the saying,..an idle mind........lol.

Philip