A Sign Of....

A sign of autumn inching ever closer, the slow unfolding of these flowers always heralds the arrival of the cooler weather. This year though, as these flowers make their graceful appearance an unseasonal heatwave is upon us.

None are fully open as yet, but the different stages are always really beautiful to witness no matter how many times I see it. The flowers stay protected cocooned in soft velvety caps until that very right moment, then the slow unfolding begins. I have three of these trees in the garden and all are in the same process as if in unison. It takes days for these beauties to unravel themselves, it's like a tantalising dance so slow and graceful.

Hopefully by the end of the weekend they should be near to being fully in bloom enticing an array of insects to feast on the succulent nectar held within.......