Sweetest smelling honeysuckle

Honeysuckle with clematis and R Kifstgate

With r. Kifstgate at its mot beautiful - apart from when bedraggled by heavy rain - there is too much to enjoy in the garden just now to spend too much time blogging!   But one thing I have to note is how good it smells - especially thanks to the evergreen honeysuckle.   Although rampant it is easily controlled and doesn't really have any nasty habits but even over the roses and some gorgeous clove-scented white dianthus the smell is all-pervading.   In the house too!

The "Russian ballet" colours are bursting into an energetic dialogue in the rose and herb garden - pictures to follow - and its lovely that the most prolific clematis Etoile Violet will be late flowering this year as it will extend the season's colour.

Have been particularly enjoying the antics of a young blackbird who has both mastered the knack of picking berries off the prickly mahonia and standing waiting for Dad to feed him on anything that's going.   Supplementary benefit bird-style!!