October dahlias are still finding ways to surprise me

One of the things I love most about dahlias is how they never seem entirely finished with surprising you. Even in late October there are new shapes, slightly different colours and the occasional flower that makes you stop in your tracks.

KA’s Cloud has been particularly dramatic about opening this year, one petal at a time, but worth every bit of the wait. Some flowers really do know how to make an entrance.

It has also been a lovely fortnight of autumn detail: poppies still hanging on, richly coloured borders, pumpkins sneaking in and all the warm, slightly theatrical tones that October does so well.

I know the big clearing-out job is not far away now, but I am not in any rush while there are still flowers putting on a show.