The last post for October and the clocks go back this weekend. It’s also forecast to be a good deal cooler this weekend than it’s been. So what, I say. This is Six on Saturday, there must be something going on out there. And so there is; flowers, fruits, successes and failures. Then there are always the indoor plants, which are only inward growing extensions of the garden, aren’t they? Wildlife too, if that’s your thing. If you fancy joining in, please do, we’d love to hear about your garden, wherever in the world it is. Should you need it, there’s a participant’s guide here.
One.
I mentioned back in July that my Hoboellia brachyandra had a pair of fruits for the first time. I had thought that more or less impossible for a plant on its own but apparently that’s wrong. They can be self fertile but usually aren’t. The fruits were splitting open so I cut them off and opened them up. I now have 115 black and shiny seeds of Holboellia brachyandra. You are welcome to have seeds, just let me know if you want some, but be warned, Holboellia is a beast, capable of climbing trees and growing very rapidly.
Two.
I have a plant in the greenhouse of Salvia stolonifera, plus a few small plants which we have grown from cuttings off the original. And I cannot recall where we got it from. It’s very nice, good sized blooms that are brick red or rust coloured. Well, some shade of orange.
Three.
I can’t make up my mind about Cerinthe. It comes up each year from self sown seed and is quite nice with its glaucous leaves and the flowers are pretty in an unspectacular way, and very variable in colour with very few having the yellow flowers it started out with several years ago. Plus it comes very late, has a very high leaf to flower ratio, always grows along the edge of the path, eventually blocking it. I may have just made up my mind about Cerinthe.
Four.
I think it was last year, maybe the year before, I bought some seeds and some seedlings of Clivia miniata from the nursery that holds the National collection. They became infested with mealy bug and I couldn’t get it under control, so the plants became relegated to a bench in a dingy corner of my shade area to be totally neglected since the spring. They have all survived and made good growth, though I don’t think the mealy bug has been seen off by being outdoors, but they will have to come in for winter or they will surely die. Maybe next year they will flower and I can pick out two or three of the best colours and dispose of the rest.
Five.
One of the few surviving plant combos that is still performing is Fuchsia hatschbatchii and Maurandya barclayana. They’re leaning against Magnolia ‘Anne’, which is in the middle of being pruned very hard, and they’re holding that process up by continuing to look good. The Fuchsia is fully hardy for us and so far has resisted gall mite; the Maurandya was grown from seed collected from last year’s plants but has also self seeded here and there.
Six.
Finally, I’m very pleased to be able to report that Elvis, the hedgehog we rehomed back in August, is still with us. I see him from time to time on pictures from my trail camera, including earlier this week. On the opposite side of the garden, under a big Camellia and buried amongst Pachyphragma macrophyllum, is a pile of leaves that is clearly a hedgehog nest. I have resisted poking around so I don’t know if it’s occupied and if so whether by Elvis or another hog, but it’s very nice to think we are providing a suitable environment for these rather endearing creatures. The heap appears to be getting bigger but that may just be because the surrounding vegetation is collapsing. I haven’t checked to see whether the nest box with bedding in it is being used either. It’s where Elvis was originally housed.
Another week over, another six completed. All I need now is a header picture and I’m done here. See you next week.
garden ruminations 
So pleased to hear that Elvis is still around and he or someone is planning to overwinter in your garden. A neighbour has recently placed a Hedgehog Highway hole in their fence, but we have badgers here which makes me wonder if they are just being hopeful for a hedgehog.
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The fact that Elvis is hanging around is good news..He must like his house and your space..Good deal.
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What a great six! Of course I love the Elvis hedgehog news … and I feel exactly the same way about Cerinthe! Congratulations on your successful seed collection from your Hoboellia brachyandra, although I am declining your generous offer.
My six are here: https://wp.me/pM8Y1-9C8
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How lovely to see Elvis and to know that he or one of his wider family has been making a nest. We know we have hedgehogs here too, but don’t see them very often. I don’t have the same ‘success’ with self-seeding cerinthe as you do but, strangely, I did spot a cerinthe seedling this afternoon despite not growing it for a few years! Well done on resuscitating your clivia – I too had similar seedlings, that similarly succumbed to mealy bug – wish I had thought to put them outside as you did, as all my infected eucomis perked up when they were moved outside. I might invest in some more, as I have always had a soft spot for clivia as we always had a bog standard one in the family home whose babies have gone to lots of family members. Thanks for hosting – another busy week for me here: https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-rolling-along/
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I’ve always liked the elegance of Cerinthe flowers, and its pretty leaves. I wasn’t aware that there was a yellow variety. Last time I grew it, it was in full bloom in July. Happy to see that Elvis has settled in your garden.
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Cerinthe self-seeds all over here, mainly in paths! And I don’t recall that lovely yellow. I have seen some seedlings so I shall have a closer look next year when they flower. Lovely to see Elvis. I have no idea whether there are any hedgehogs around here, I suspect in the countryside they have no need to visit gardens. My last SoS of the year is a review of what was a success or not.
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How fun to have a hedgehog nesting in the garden! I’m always excited to see foxes, deer, coyotes, and opossums in the back, indicating a somewhat balanced ecosystem. And they help to keep the rabbit population in check. You still have many fun happenings outdoors. I didn’t have a hard frost or freeze yet, so things are still blooming…soon the garden will hush. I’m celebrating a 15-year blogoversary today, though, so I won’t be joining in. But I’ll be back in the months ahead–both for the winter (for indoor plants and outdoor scenes) and the warmer months. Thanks so much for hosting this great meme!
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I replied on your blog, but I don’t see it appear(?) In any case, I wish you a happy anniversary for your 15 years of blogging.
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No six from me this week, I’m afraid, I wasn’t able to get suitable photos. I’m so pleased Elvis has survived! I’ll pass on the hoboellia seeds, thanks, I already have a few plants that are making a takeover bid.
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I adore Elvis and am so glad he has a safe space to call home!
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Things here are done outdoors. I need to empty the remaining rain barrel, finish the edging to the shoveling is not such a pain (we really neglect the lawn beyond mowing), Glad Elvis is still with us! I do love fuchsias. I have not yet looked this morning, but I think all has been frosted. Sigh. at least I have he houseplants! I could only come up with four this time, fall color, last ladybug and a trick of the light. Enjoy!
https://wisconsingarden.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/october-25-2025-six-on-saturday/
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The first time I grew Cerinthe I sowed it in the autumn, planted it out quite early and it flowered early. Wonderful! After that it self seeded and behaved like yours so now I pull out any seedlings I see now. As regulars might know, I have a love of large leaved plants and vigorous climbers despite having a small garden. I tried Holboellia over a new arch, knowing that it was an exuberant climber. After just two summers it had covered the arch and the remaining growth was waving two/three metres in the air. I had to admit it was definitely wrong plant and in wrong place. It is, sadly, no more.
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Good for Elvis!. The Salvia and Fuchsia are impressive. It is so thrilling to have color this late in the season. Here is my six
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Good to see that Elvis is happy in his new home, he obviously likes your garden. Your Salvia is a stunning colour, it must shine out while everything else is dying back.
My six are here………………………..https://www.leadupthegardenpath.com
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I agree with you about Cerinthe. I have just dug out a million seedlings from the gravel path. Why does it always plant itself in the most awkward (for us) places?! However, it’s good to know that if I change my mind, it will be back next year.
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Hoboellia brachyandra is impressive. I see the vines about, but have never seen even one produce fruit. I suspect that they are grown from cuttings, so are all genetically identical. Cerinthe just arrived here last year from Tangly Cottage Gardening, so has not been here long enough to become an annoyance. I doubt that it ever will, since I am already so fond of it. Your six are about as mixed as mine.
https://tonytomeo.com/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-miscellaneous/
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The Salvia stolonifera is a gorgeous colour.
https://thistlesandkiwis.org/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-25-10-25/
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Your clivia seedlings look good and strong, it is going to be very difficult to get rid of any. Lovely fuchsia/maurandya combo, the fuchsia is one of mine that sadly got left behind. And happy news about Elvis! Here are my six https://offtheedgegardening.com/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-doom/
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Good news for Elvis! He’s found a home that he seems to like.
About the Hoboellia brachyandra, it’s a very pretty plant, yes, but you’re scaring us a bit with its extraordinary vigor, as a tall climber… A little like an akebia that would be hard to get rid of? https://fredgardenerblog2.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-25-10-25/
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Same family as Akebia and very much the same behaviour! It doesn’t sucker like abelia so perhaps easier to get rid of when you get tired of fighting it.
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Good to know !
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And I’m always up for some swap seeds , of course, if you agree ! Don’t hesitate to tell me what you wish
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That’s good news regarding Elvis. We’ve not seen our hedgehog (a youngster born last year that hibernated in the garden) for a few months now. We’ve chosen to believe it went off in search of other hedgehogs as it seemed to be the only one that visited this year. I thought the Hoboellia brachyandra seeds were bread rolls initially! https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/six-on-saturday-25-october-2025/
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Were it not for the trail camera I’d have no idea whether Elvis was around or not. It was the only reason I bought it. The Holboellia fruits are edible but there’s no way I’d put that slimy mess in my mouth, not even to find out what it tastes like.
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