WordPress sent me a message yesterday to congratulate me on 4 years of blogging… where did those 4 years go?!
To celebrate here are some of my favourite things this September, captured late yesterday afternoon. The sun briefly joined me too.
The photo above is my favourite view at this time of year, with the sun lighting up the dwarf Miscanthus ‘Adagio’. The Acer in the foreground is just starting to change colour, as are the Ceratostigma plumbaginoides below, which provide for gorgeous ground cover till November.
Another favourite is this beautiful Echinacea – supposedly “Orange Passion” but very different from the one I had last year (which the slugs ate) so I was possibly sent the wrong one. I shall call it “Custard Passion”!
The old Tuesday view is looking slightly dishevelled at the moment – a lot of the lavenders have been cut right down, and some will need replacing completely next spring, but I still love looking across the rockery to the acer and the birch trees beyond…
This Rosa rugosa surprised me with a few more flowers – it has kept going all through the summer.
And this Knautia macedonica ‘Mars Midget’ is a real joy – it flowered in July and then I thought it had succumbed to the drought, but as soon as the weather cooled down it started flowering again.
Nearby the Caryopteris is starting to open. The bees love it, and aren’t those tiny petals exquisite?
Finally, a look at some of the plants potted up on my patio, which are giving me great pleasure right now…
What is giving you most pleasure in your garden right now?
Thank you to everyone who reads, likes or comments on my posts – I have had so much fun blogging and sharing thoughts with you over the last 4 years. Here’s to the next 4!
😀
Words and Herbs 
Hi Cathy. Yes, our garden is very similar now. Things have ‘risen from the dead of drought’ and are flowering like it was spring again! Bees are out in force working away. All the best to you!
Thanks Lindsay! Yes, it still doesn’t look everso autumny here either with lush growth wherever I look. But last night was pretty cold, so I suppose that will slow everything down at last.
Happy 4th anniversary…it looks like your garden put on a party dress to celebrate!
Hi Marian. Those flowers are still dancing away! 😉
Lots of lovely blooms to help you celebrate.
And I am amazed at how many flowers waited until September to give their best this year!
Happy 4th anniversary, and congratulations. Keep posting, I love the mix of your garden and delicious cake recipes.
Thank you Christina…. I must get some more recipes sorted to post.
That first photo is just incredible! I have started redesigning several sections of my garden so it’s in a bit of an upheaval right now. But the asters are still blooming as is my tithonia. 🙂
What fun! My asters are only just getting started, but I think the Tithonia may not like the cool nights forecast….
Congratulations! I look forward to future years of your blog. I think that is the best close up of a Plumbago flower I have ever seen. The Echinacea is quite unusual.
Thanks Jason – that is praise indeed. The plumbago is one of my favourite plants as it just gives so much colour from August onwards. I think the Echinacea is one called “Aloha”.
Amazing isn’t it as the time flies and each year blends into the next….your blog is such a joy to read Cathy and here is to 4 more years!
Thanks a lot Donna. Four years ago I had no idea how much fun blogging could be!
Happy Blogoversary, Cathy! Time flies when you’re having fun. 😉
It does indeed, and I try not to think of how old I am getting if the next four years go so fast! LOL!
Boy, do I know THAT feeling! 😉
What a lovely way to commemorate your 4th anniversary. Your garden is still beautiful even this late in the season, Cathy. I am going to enjoy watching your garden transition through fall and into winter. 🙂
Thank you Debra. A few leaves are slowly gaining that autumn tinge now after some chilly nights recently. I do look forward to autumn and all its colour though!
Time does fly! It is the rain that is giving me the most pleasure in the garden just now! I have just managed to get to it and start extracting the monster weeds grown during the week of tropical deluge but it is worth it just to get everything well watered before autumn sets in. Amelia
The rain came just in time for us too, as it has been so incredibly dry. I hate to think about the weeds growing though!
I am a great admirer of both your blog and your garden. Both are always immaculate and beautifully presented. I am sure that your other regular readers who are inspired by your garden look forward to the continuation of your blog. I would also like to add that you are also a generous contributor and your constructive ad supportive comments are always appreciated.
I think that is one of the nicest comments i have ever had Christine! Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Happy anniversary, Cathy, what a great way to celebrate!
Those flowers are still partying out there, despite the chill in the mornings!
Oh many, many congratulations on your fourth year of blogging Cathy. Somehow it feels that you’ve been around longer than that. It’s always a pleasure to visit. Long may ‘Words and Herbs’ bloom! In answer to your question the artist formerly known as aster ‘Little Carlow’ is giving me most pleasure.
Thank you Anna. I think your aster is one my Mum grows and it is rather sweet.
Happy Blogging Anniversary Cathy, heres to many more of your lovely friendly and often inspiring posts!
Thanks Julie. I wonder if I’ll still be blogging four years from now….! 😉
I hope so!
Congratulations Cathy. Your photos are lovely. The Caryopteris is indeed amazing. That’s a plant I’ve never tried but I see now I should.
Hi Susie. Do give Caryopteris a try. It is a real bee magnet in late summer and it is such a lovley colour too. There are some sorts that get a bit taller, but mine is only about two feet at the most.
Good to know. I’ll look for the shorter variety of caryopteris. Thanks!
Congratulations Cathy. Words and Herbs is an appropriate name for your blog, it should have a sub heading, also contains beautiful photographs.
Thank you very much Brian – a lovely flattering comment! 🙂
Wow! Congratulations on 4 years of blogging! It seems like yesterday when you celebrated your first year. I love your interesting, funny and tasty blogs – keep on blogging!
Thank you Simone! And thanks for being such a faithful follower all these years! 🙂
I like the texture of that first picture. I counted six different “levels”. I LIKE a view like that. Makes me feel like I’m traveling within the earth, so to speak. And that first picture of the potted plants
Thanks for the artist’s view. I think I know what you mean… I’d like to fall into that picture. 😉
Happy 4th blogaversary Cathy! I love that first shot, deeply satisifying, so full of textures and colours, you can gaze at a view like that for ages and not get bored. Love your Custard surprise!
Thanks Janet! The custard surprise Echinacea now has a correct name: “Aloha”… I think my name for it is more descriptive somehow though! 😉
A big congrats on your fourth blogging anniversary! Your garden is still going strong – very lovely!
Thanks Sheryl – yes the garden is looking great considering it is practically October. Soon time for the autumn clean-up as it is getting quite cold at night now. No frosts yet though!