I had a bit of a heart attack when I sat down to write this post as I hadn’t realised it’s already October 1st! What really surprised me was the amount of colour still in my garden. The Autumn flowers are not retreating yet. Some of our roses have also been flowering. And best of all we’ve had sunshine.
“I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
Here’s what’s in my garden. Many of the photos I took this morning. Some I took at dusk yesterday evening when little did I know September was closing. Many of my plants began flowering at the start of the Autumn season and are still going strong.
Aster
Japanese Anemone
Geranium pratense (Meadow cranesbill)
In a couple areas of the garden we have these incredibly tall yellow flowers which I believe are a type of Helianthus. 
Of course, some of the flowers are fading, dying or just leaving seed pods. It is Autumn after all. And yikes October! So far I’ve only managed to store some Love-in-the- mist seeds.
Dying white hydrangea
St John’s Wort
I also need to pick some more apples from a tree nearby.
This is a native English iris – Iris foetidissima – also known as the ‘Stinking Iris’. I haven’t dared test it but apparently if you crush the leaves it smells like rotten meat. In Autumn its large seed capsules open to reveal orange berries.
Iris foetidissima otherwise known as Stinking Iris!
Non stop foraging all September and today I’m still foraging. This morning I picked about a half kilo of blackberries from the brambles along one fence in our garden. I’m planning to make some Blackberry vodka! I’ve already made some Wild Plum gin as well as vodka. I keep them in the cupboard below the stairs with the wine so I don’t forget to shake them every day.
“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.”
– Edwin Way Teale
I also cut some roses. I’ve loved having flowers from our garden inside and dread buying store bought flowers again. (Although I probably will in the winter!) 
I’ve noticed the pheasants are back in full force. They’re probably hiding near us to keep safe as the hunting season for pheasants starts today October 1st.
Yes, it might be October but the roses are blooming.
And as Gertrude Stein wrote in her 1913 poem, ” A rose is a rose is a rose.”
I love your garden 🙂
I’ve always wondered about Stinking Iris, my Mum has one in her garden but we didn’t know what it was…your description of the crushed leaves could explain why Stella is drawn to it. I haven’t noticed a smell from it but call her away as I’m sure the berry flowery bits are probably toxic!
I’m a rare non-lover of roses but your dark orange one is stunning I must admit 🙂
Thank you Lisa. I kept wondering about the stinking iris as I thought maybe some critters had been eating away the pods but seems like they’re all like that in the autumn!
Your photo of autumn flowers and fruit is wonderful … and all those books. You have combined several of my great loves in one beautiful shot. Thank you 🙂
It’s lovely to still see the roses flower isn’t it, mine have just started again. And did someone mention gin? Wild plum gin sounds fab 🙂 #hdygg
So much beautiful colour, I too am dreading buying store flowers, it’s just not the same as growing your own.
Japanese Anemone have been popping up everywhere it seems, a must buy for next year, they look stunning.
Love the roses!
Beautiful photos and love how much is still in flower in your garden. We still have some roses blooming which is lovely. I love the sound of the wild plum gin and blackberry vodka too! 🙂
beautiful pictures, and that last one is just exquisite x
Thank you Katie – I’m hoping we have another week or two of blooms from that climbing rose. Its fragrance is just amazing.
Lovely colour, however; vodka and gin! So much more inspiring than a crumble. I love blackberries – I think I should go out and see if I can collect some more. thank you.
I keep leaving tis comment but it’s true. I can’t believe how much colour there still in the gardens in the Uk for this time of year. I really miss having cut flowers in the house, even if I do buy them it’s too hot indoors and they don’t live long
I think it such a treat when you get days of sunshine at this time of year. The kids are loving being able to play out in the garden after school.
Such beauty Kriss, you live in the most amazing area and your outdoor foraging antics are inspiring. You have managed to bring so much from the outside in the use, it’s great to see. Am I going to be able to call you the Pheasant Whisperer soon?
Thanks for joining in again Kriss – now chuck us a blackberry!
Ah I was the Pheasant whisperer last year when I had ‘Fred’ appear every time I went outside hoping for some bird treats! The great thing about foraging is I can do it right in my garden or incredibly close by x
Really love your autumn gathered flowers, I think I love arrangements at this time of year because of the berries that are included and the yellows and russets of fading leaves. Awww those pheasants, hope the make it – I’d be inviting them into the house – come and hide here, I’m very fond of them.
Ooh and all your books! I love my books too and would like shelves with them all together.
Luckily the pheasants are safe around us (they must know as lots are showing up this week!) We’e rather nuts about books in our home – those are in the kitchen by our dining room table!
Your aster is looking beautiful! I’m waiting for the buds on mine to open out. Fingers crossed 🙂 I’ll miss Summer flowers from the garden too – picking them as well as looking at them. It’s nice to be able to go outside and pick a bit of what you fancy…
I love being able to fill the house with flowers from the garden. Just hoping I can continue to do it for much longer this Autumn.