You'd think that after an extreme summer, we would be prepared for an extreme autumn, but no...the first gale of the year has thrown me for six. And not just me...my balcony plants, especially the taller ones, are looking as bedraggled as they no doubt feel.
This was my lovely hanging Streptocarpus before wind speeds of 8 knocked her off the seat...
And this is her now, hiding behind the Cycas; lost almost all of her flowers, broke a lot of stems and the pot has cracked as well. Damn!
I had to quickly rescue this Exochorda Macrantha and Physocarpus as well, before they would be blown over (actually, the Exochorda did blow down from her pedestal, but she was all right).
This Clematis was up on the trellis, blew down, but seems okay, and so does the Pandora. That Pelargonium is tough as old boots!
In Hunky Dory all looks green, but is bone dry, despite the week of rainshowers we have had. It will take at least a year for the water table to rise to its normal level, as I'm told. All Teasels are brittle, as are all Fennel, and if I would put a match to my Cardoons they would burn like torches, I'm sure.
This has been such a challenging year for us gardeners!
But the trees definitely have had it worst. In my area, they react by being laden with seeds, as if they think "right, times are tough, let's make young ones, before we become extinct!"
But the sunsets have been spectacular of late! No filter used! The sky seems to be on fire. This is our old town hall - turned historical museum, by the way. Unlike the gardens it has had its best summer ever, due to a Rembrandt etchings exhibition. So...this 2026 summer has not been all bad.
Oh, I've been written up (with my paintings) on Exhibition Renée Linq Media
This is it for this week. Have a lovely week, wherever you are!
Renée Grashoff
