The warm spell that we enjoyed is at an end, day temperatures have dropped by around 5°C and this morning my car is frozen over, signs of approaching winter are definitely upon us. To be honest I am not a fan of this time of the year and would be quite happy to hibernate ’til spring, not the least because I am now going to find it very hard to find subjects for Six on Saturday. Methinks I may have to go a wandering!

My current dwelling is built on an old railway yard, in fact I planted the back garden with a pick and trenching spade, so I do err towards tough hardy plants with a few treasured exceptions. Geraniums are top of my list but the little prunella, a British wildflower, fits the bill, it’s tough, has a long flowering period and is attractive to bees and other insects.

When I first moved into my little bungalow there was a broken down fence in front of the property, the first thing I did was to rip it out and plant a Berberis x stenophylla hedge. This fuchsia must have been planted against the fence and survived all the upheaval unnoticed, so I think it has earned its place.

What’s left, hanging on in there after being absolutely battered by the storm. I have planted these this year for the first time to give some late colour along with the rudbeckias.

Another late flowering stalwart Japanese anemones can be invasive, but I find this rather ragged “double” less rampant. Unfortunately this flower stem is fighting its way through a bigger neighbour to show itself. Also known as Anemone x hybrida ‘Pamina’. Unfortunately the wind caught the bloom at the bottom of the picture and it came out a little blurred.

I like persicarias and particularly ‘Red Dragon’ because it is different, this is another plant I brought with me from my previous garden.

This berberis makes up the numbers, totally the wrong time of the year as in spring the new growth has fiery red tints, but I thought I better catch it before the leaves drop.

This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.