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enjoyed it. They're juicier than ever.My first apples to ripen are 'Ellison's Orange' in mid-September, and this is one variety that really must be eaten straight from the tree. When you do the apples are crisp and juicy, but sadly they don't stay in good

flowers and in shades of orange to burnt amber, but to me a sunflower should be brilliant gold.In the past I've often left the old sunflower heads on the stem to ripen and set seed, providing home-grown bird food. However, many new varieties lack pollen

devastate zinnia plants, particularly varieties of Z. elegans.There are many others, including the fiery Z. elegans 'Cactus Orange', burning 'Benaries Red' and pale green 'Envy'.Are zinnias set for a revival, and will you be growing them?

', with creamy white flowers fading to purple.T. 'Colour Spectacle', with pale yellow petals with broad red streaks.T. 'Happy Family', with purple petals and white edges.T. 'Orange Bouquet', with orange and red petals.T. 'Toronto', with pinkish-red flowers

above), a glorious Clivia miniata. I had one many years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed its stunning display of bright orange trumpets, but this one was different. Among a selection of Clivia with broad green strap-like leaves was one plant with light

spathes. Some of the latest introductions carry deep, almost black spathes, while those in bright or burnt orange look really striking.

to time. There's a flash of yellow around April when a brimstone flitters quickly by. Then I'll see the occasional holly blue or orange tip, plus some cabbage white butterflies. Even they've been visiting less frequently.The wet weather must have played

fragrance must be essential to the survival of these plants, attracting pollinating insects, for instance.One of most fragrant garden plants is the evergreen shrub, choisya, the Mexican orange blossom. Choisya 'Aztec Pearl' is one of my favourites, with a

that the Latin name for watercress is Nasturtium officinale.So, what other edible flowers add colour to my summer salads? Well, pot marigold or calendula petals look lovely. Orange varieties self-seed on my veg plot, and one or two flowers provide sufficient

years, even some varieties that claim to be disease resistant can show signs of disease.I wish I'd thought more carefully before buying eight standard 'Bonica' roses a few years ago. By mid-summer, the older leaves have usually developed orange rust