this week, apart from Tuesday when I dug up the rest of the main crop Desiree potatoes.
I’ve just found out that the plum tree is in fact a blackthorn! I don’t really mind as I’m not keen on plums, not that I ever expected to get many as I regularly prune it to about six foot high and to keep it in bounds.
The dogwood, cornus alba Sibirica, continues to provide all year round interest as it now now has berries and the leaves are starting to turn red. (Click on picture to see larger image)
This morning I was sitting drinking a mug of water when a greenfinch perched on a nearby sunflower head and started eating the seeds. It’s only the second time that I’ve seen one on the plot. Incidentally we think that it’s more likely that squirrels, rather than parakeets, are eating the sunflower petals.
Have a good weekend!
Flighty's plot 
Awesome post as always
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Linda thanks. xx
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Well maybe you’ll get a good supply of sloes rather than plums but of course sloes aren’t really very useful except for Sloe Gin. My sunflower in the front garden is at least 12 feet high now – I’m surprised the wind hasn’t snapped it as it isn’t supported at all. Maybe that helps a bit. Have a good weekend yourself.
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Elaine I noticed two sloes the other day but now I can’t see them. Well done with the sunflower, I’ve got none anywhere near that tall. They tend to be okay if sheltered. Thanks xx
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Fruity discoveries are nice to have. While Autumnal colours can be thrilling and vibrant, I am not endeared to its signal of changing seasons. Your observations about the sunflower petals is interesting. xx
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Menhir they are indeed, but the best thing about this tree is the spring blossom. That’s the downside of such colour changes. It would be good to actually see the culprits rather than just guessing. xx
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How lovely that you got to see a greenfinch so close up. I do love dogwood, and am really fond of blackthorn. xxxx
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Snowbird it sure was, and I saw one again today. Me too, both of them. xx
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Isn’t Dogwood lovely!? Thanks for the photo and the link to the Greenfinch pictures and info. 🙂
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Doris it sure is, with the added bonus of having interest year round. You’re welcome. xx
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What a lovely photo of the dogwood, that colour is stunning. It doesn’t mean that autumn is coming though does it..? There’s a lovely plot near to my allotment with a plum tree on it, and they have hung red, green and blue glass bottles on the branches to bend them down, so that they don’t exceed the regulation 7′. It was Bob Flowerdew’s suggestion when he visited the town to record Gardener’s Question Time apparently. It really does look very attractive – they have used fancy water bottles I think.
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CJ thanks. Probably, although it could be a lack of water.
I like that idea, and I bet that it’s quite eye-catching. xx
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Well, happy news for you since you don’t like plums!
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Nikki it’s just good to have a tree there regardless of what it is. xx
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Like Elaine, my first thoughts were ‘sloes’ and ‘gin’ – haha! Have a good weekend x
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Mo so far there’s been very few sloes so there’s little chance of making any gin. Thanks, you too. xx
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With all this talk of Pottering, we may have to change your name to Harry 😉 Lovely picture of the Dogwood leaves. Turning seasons!
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Glo I’d need to polish my magical gardening skills up a bit before you do. Thanks. Yes, it looks like it. xx
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Hmmm, sloe gin springs to mind. How lovely to see the greenfinch. They’re regular visitors here to my feeders, they enjoy the sunflower seeds I fill them with so it’s little wonder they’re enjoying the sunflower heads.
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Jo it does indeed. It sure was. Lucky you as they’re a lovely little bird. xx
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I love the photo of the dogwood that is shrub you dont see here often, beautiful colours. I love pottering in the garden when there isnt an urgent need to do chores.
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Sharon thanks, it’s popular here for it’s red stems in the winter. Me too, and think that time should always be made to do so. xx
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Very exciting to have the greenfinch on the sunflower, Flighty!
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Jane yes indeed, and I’ve seen one most days since. xx
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