September is settling in. The heatwaves are behind us, the garden has had a good drink, and I’m back on the bike and putting one foot in front of the other again.
I’m also keeping half an eye on the sky, wondering when the first proper storm of the 2026–27 season will arrive. There’s something about September that feels like a reset — summer fading, autumn waiting patiently in the wings, and plenty still happening outdoors.
We are almost at the equinox. Soon, the nights will be longer than the days. Darkness is about to win the day (literally). But not yet.
Anyway, enough of the waffle, wittering, rambling, rabbiting and general nonsense. Come along in to have a look at what caught my eye in the garden this week.
Begonias
At the start of the gardening year, I decided to focus on getting a decent collection of annual begonias. I suppose they really are perennial begonias if they’re cared for properly.
I kept to my word, and bought lots, many trailing begonias. Even at this time of year, in the middle of September, there’s great colour. I’ve stopped feeding them now, but they will bloom until after Halloween. Shortly after that I’ll bring them indoors and start drying them off for the winter.
Viola
Here’s another little refocus that I’ve had this year. I’ve always loved pansies, but this year I’ve changed a bit. Instead of pansies, I’ve got a nice mixture of pansies and violas. The violas are just that little bit tidier. Smaller blooms, but much tidier. In the picture above, you can see violas on the left and pansies on the right. So can I.
Gaura / Oenothera
What can I say about Gaura except that I really like it? Apparently, Gaura is one of the longest flowering garden plants. Indeed, this one has been in flower since early July and shows no sign of stopping.
I’ve lost the plant label, but I think it is Gaura lindheimeri (now often listed as Oenothera lindheimeri), most likely the classic cultivar ‘Siskiyou Pink’.
How or why do plant names change? How does gaura become oenothera? To me, it will always be gaura.
Acer ‘Houston’
This Acer has been in this pot on the patio for about ten years. Now, I think there’s a problem. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s just shedding the leaves early.
I think the heatwaves didn’t help, and it struggled. Perhaps I did not help? Perhaps I underwatered it or overwatered it?
Cotoneaster ‘Queen of Carpets’
I planted this Cotoneaster ‘Queen of Carpets’ about 10 years ago as a ground cover plant on the raised rockery. Since then, it has spread far and wide. In fact, as soon as it spread to the back of the rockery, it climbed and has now covered the wall behind. No trellis needed. No support of any kind. Super plant. Super plant indeed.
Kitchen Window
To finish my Six-on-Saturday today, here’s a view from the kitchen window. I think it’s time to take down the sun umbrella.
What changes would I like to see here for 2027? I’ll have plenty of time to sit and ponder on this. No rush.
That’s my Six-on-Saturday for this week. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, head over to the blog of Six-on-Saturday host, Jim. I’ll be checking there and saving many for reading during the week ahead.
Until next time,
Slán,
Pádraig.
