Although we're expecting a thunderstorm tonight, we've had some glorious evenings this week. This is the time of year when the evenings are at their lightest and longest and there's a magic in the air as the sun gets lower in the sky. The light is softly diffused and it feels as if a spell has been cast over the garden making me feel drowsy and relaxed in its warmth. We are heading towards the longest day, and as the evenings lengthen I'm trying to make the most of them, wandering around the garden dead-heading and smelling the flowers.
All these photos were taken just before nine o'clock yesterday evening and the sun was still strong, shining through the petals and leaves of the plants at a low angle. Our 'Compassion' rose, which grows over an arch, was looking delightfully soft and peachy-pink.
This rose was here before we moved in and I think it's 'Graham Thomas'. The light caught it on one side, throwing the other into shade.
The blue geraniums looked like they're made from translucent tissue paper.
The peony flower is in shade while it's veined leaves are lit from behind.
The same is true of this palest of pink 'New Dawn' rose. The petals remind me of icing sugar but its leaf is a luminous lime green.
I'm so pleased with this pretty little pale pink allium which I picked up for little more than £1 in a supermarket this spring. I've only seen purple ones before, and really like this delicate pink one.
The sun's rays have caught the hint of pink in each floret.
Finally, not to be left out, Clover posed on the top of the fence in the sunlight, with eyes aglow and fur glistening.
In contrast, it's raining now but hopefully there will be more of these magically long evenings to come. It's been a warm and sticky day at work, and a storm may be quite welcome tonight if it comes.
After the first rainfall this morning I sniffed the air as I walked between lessons and noticed with pleasure the unmistakeable smell of petrichor. If you've never heard this word, it means 'the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil' - yes, that wonderful summery smell when it hasn't rained for a while. I was very excited (yes, I know) to discover this word a couple of years ago and to know that this seasonal phenomenon has a name.
Well, it may be dingy, dark and damp outside but at least the pots and garden are being watered tonight. Hope we get some sunshine this weekend too x
