A shady corner, a pink carpet, and moss!

After a few days of rain, the sun returned today. Occasionally it disappears behind a cloud, but for the most part, the day has been sunny, but cool.

The light today is ideal for taking photos, so I took advantage of the day and photographed a shady area in my back garden. Husband built this retaining wall from volcanic rocks – our soil is full of them! – many years ago. I love the “aged” look the rocks have now, even though they would have been tens of thousands of years old when the wall was built. They seem to have melded into their surroundings over the years.

The wall faces south, our cool aspect, and moss happily clings to the rocks all year round. We also have a few plants growing amid the moss and rocks, although we didn’t plant them. Maybe birds have dropped seeds in the ideal place for these lovely plants to germinate.

I suspect some of the plants are staghorns, and others elkorns, but I don’t know for sure. Regardless, they look very much at home where they are.

These tiny plants seem to be growing in the moss, rather than in the gaps between the rocks. Only time will tell if their position is secure, or if their increased weight as they grow will cause them to fall.

Can you see the movement in Bronte’s tail? She was a very happy girl when she found her missing yellow ball. 🙂

Just a few steps away from the moss covered retaining wall is another small retaining wall, also built by husband many years ago. This is where the oldest camellia tree in my garden is in full bloom.

And beneath the tree, beautifully contrasted against the green grass, is a carpet of pretty pink petals.

Right next to the camellia is the shadiest corner of my garden. This area is the coolest place in my garden during our hot summer months. Even though it is shady for most of the day, all year round, the agapanthus always flower late in the year, just before the hottest days of summer arrive.

For now though, I am enjoying the cool sunny autumn days in my garden. 🙂