A fleeting Six on Saturday today as I have leaky water butt issues. Argos sent me two new water butts last year despite only paying for one, resulting in a brief moral dilemma. The little shoulder angel won out over the little shoulder devil (unlike a few years ago when I was deciding how much of the patio to take up), I alerted them to the error and they came and took the surplus one away. Now that WB-4 has developed a tiny hairline crack I’m rather regretting my decision. Ah well, time for Six on Saturday.
1. And we start with a close up of a Japanese Anemone ‘Whirlwind.’ It’s very similar to ‘Honorine Jobert’ that featured the other week but has more petals.
2. Sown from a packet of left over Wilko seed from last year, these Chrysanthemums have been flowering for months now. Allegedly ‘Eastern Star,’ this year’s batch hasn’t produced a flower remotely resembling the illustration on the packet either.
3. There are several Scabious/Scabiousses in the garden of varying hues, including this lovely lilac variety. Pardon? Is that a Gaura in the background? Well spotted, it is indeed.
4. The fluttering blooms (or flooms) of ‘Sparkle White’ appear to dance around in the slightest breeze. Getting a non-blurry shot has taken a while.
5. Next up, Linaria vulgaris (or Common Toad Flax). Sown from seed many years ago, I was a bit half-hearted in my attempts at keeping it in check last year and it has taken full advantage, spreading about even more than usual. I half expect them to start talking.
6. And finally… At long last a second Dahlia has flowered. ‘Honka Red’ is a survivor from last year and was well worth the wait. Little floral windmills of loveliness they are. Will any of the other Dahlias flower before the first frosts strike? I’m not getting my hopes up.
They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
I rather like the Toadflax. Let me know if they start talking and I’ll arrange a room in the appropriate institution for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! For some reason I imagine they would have strangely deep voices. I don’t know why.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re too honest! Love your close-ups this week, A. Whirlwind is a beauty. I like the colours on the Toad Flax too, and your comment that you expect them to start talking (when they do, you know you’re in trouble).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Kind Hearts and Corydalis has kindly offered to arrange a room in an appropriate institution for me! I’ve just purchased a new water butt although it’s black rather than green so might have to get swapped with one my others so that it blends in better with the green fence. Unless I paint the fence black which would actually help the wheelie bin to blend in more. Hmm…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tricky one. I tried to drape a hanging plant over my water butt but then it just drew more attention to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your close up of the anemone is very good; it really captures the details that make the centers of these flowers so compelling. The scabious is another plant I don’t believe I’ve paid enough attention to. Lately, a flower’s interest for me has a lot to do with its popularity with the pollinators.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I often keep an eye out while wandering around garden centres to see which plants the insects are going for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That Common Toadflax is a much admired and rare native wildflower – or, perhaps, it is a garden escapee which has established itself. There are several patches on a roadside near me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This lot were grown from a packet of Mr Fothergill’s seed. It’s very pretty and has flowered for ages this year. I’ve never seen it in the wild though come to think of it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very uncommon here so my little local clump is very precious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am definitely gong to look for some toadflax seed – could I grow it in a pot? I grew some ragged robin in a pot quite successfully this year and have collected some seed to try again next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t see why not, it’s certainly worth a go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice close-up of Honorine Jobert’s heart.
I remembered that the dahlia ‘Honka Red’ had a much darker colour …? Maybe I’m wrong or it’s the brightness and the photo that makes the change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the sun to some extent I think, although the backs of the petal are a lighter red.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gaura has to be one of my favourite plants if I tie it back successfully early in the season. Meanwhile, you are one dahlia ahead of me, but I am pleased with my spiky, orange one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems to have been a poor year for Dahlias and my Cosmos haven’t done all that well either. The joys of gardening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too love the common Toadflax….it can come and chat to its heart contect in my garden, if only I had spare room.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve just been reading your SoS!
LikeLike
Fabulous close up photos. The white anemone is very nice and the Chrysanthemums look good despite them not reading the packet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I must see if I can source some Eastern Star from another seed company, although I do rather like the yellow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I rather like any plant that has the temerity to come back each year (no, dandelions I am not talking about you, nor you, bindweed), if anything can escape the attentions of the S&S then they have my approval.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids have had a good year – it is rather nice to have something unnibbled.
LikeLike
That is a beautiful shot of the anemone! I love the look of the Scabiosa too. The toadflax is a childhood memory for me as my Mom grew them in her garden. I eventually tracked down a local source of seed, but after two attempts I have still not had any success. The last of the seed was planted last week. Fingers crossed I get some of the seed to germinate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers and toes have been crossed for your toadflax seed
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely anemone and dahlia! Hope the other dahlias come up soon…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Lovely pictures, that’s a gorgeous dahlia. Hope your water butt problems are sorted soon..
LikeLike