The last time I sojourned on the East Anglian coast was in West Mersea in Essex last June, and I was interested to see which plants would be flowering later in the year as summer starts to move into autumn.
Above is the glorious Holkham beach on the north Norfolk coast. A true antidote to London with its huge skies and endless sandy walks (and supplying handfuls of razor shells which will make fantastic plant labels for next year’s sowings in spring).
Well into September and Valerian is still giving great shows of colour just down the coast in Blakeney,
although hollyhocks and roses are definitely at the tail end of their flowering season.
It was good to see a new generation of these flouncy beauties lining up in preparation for duty next year.
Despite the sandy soil, roses seems to thrive right by the sea, and even their hips offer a gorgeous contrast in texture and colour to this yellow Verbascum.
A few miles inland in a village called Binham, I had to do a quick u-turn in the car to gaze a bit longer on this wondrous espalier pear tree.
It was absolutely dripping with fruit and I wished I’d knocked at the door now to find out how old the tree was and who looked after this beautiful specimen, growing in such a surprising public space!
P.s. I did knock on the door in autumn 2015 and found out that this ‘Conference’ pear tree was planted by a Mr. Malcolm Moss (sadly now deceased) back in the 1950’s, and the house is still in the family. It doesn’t get fed, but produces a fine crop of fruit every year. Amazing!
Back to the coast and Erigeron karvinskianus was climbing out of walls nearby what I think is its slightly larger clump forming relative Erigeron ‘Azure Fairy’. Jolly lovely combination.
And seemingly growing out of a bit of moss by a none too gorgeous drain, was this delicate white cyclamen. I wonder if it will be forming a bulb under all that concrete?
And finally, this lovely common chicory was doing its horizontal best along a coastal pathway,
whilst a blackbird filled up on elder and hawthorn berries in a wind breaking hedgerow. I certainly do love to be beside the seaside, although I might need a lovely walled garden if I wanted to grow some of my favourite flowers and veg.
Out of my shed 
Good read and brilliant pictures of your little trip out,what a good idea for them razor shells think I need to go and find some.
Hi Steve, ‘Borrowed’ the razor shell idea from the fabulous Lip na Cloiche garden on Mull Works really well!
Fantastic photos, jLove your site. Are you still doing holland park garden.?
Hi M-J, Yes, will be in Holland Park on Tuesday about 9am. See you there? V.best Naomi
I love the valerian doing its thing with no help from anyone-it’s the same in Cornwall. And what a brilliant tip for the plant markers.
Hi Sue, yes, Valerian seems to happily do its thing for months on end. What a great plant! Shells are great for labels-just wished my pockets were bigger or that we lived nearer the sea!
Great photos! And catching the blackbird was a coup!
Thanks Nicolette, That Blackbird looked a little on the scrawny side and wasn’t going to fly off as long as the berries were still there!
That is a mightily impressive pear tree! I love East Anglia, from the cold and mountainous north it always feels tropical! This post made me smile (and think about planning next years holiday!)
Hi Helen, I love East Anglia as it seems so spread out and open compared to London. Gives you space to think. And that pear tree was a joy to behold. Must have deep roots!
Why has no one picked those pears?!?
Love the clam shell idea! x
Hi Veronica, They’ll need a tall ladder for those pears, whoever picks them!
It’s a gorgeous part of the country. We stayed in Blakeney 2 years ago and loved it. Holkham beach was a particular favourite. We didn’t think we’d like the flat landscape because we’re used to being surrounded by hills but the big sky is breath-taking.
I can see why you had to turn the car round that pear is spectacular.
Hi Louise, we’ve been to Norfolk a few times, and Holkham beach never disappoints. Strangely, haven’t made it to the gardens at Holkham Hall yet. Maybe next time…..