June is the month, that seven years ago, I took over this garden. The previous owner had loved his soft fruit and fruit trees but much of the rest of the garden had gone to weeds. That family was the second family to garden here. There is evidence in archived local newspapers that the first owner also loved his soft fruits and had won prizes for raspberries. There has been over 100 years of gardening here and I am gradually leaving my mark. I have come to appreciate that I share this garden with the past, with the numerous slugs and snails, with the foxes and cats and with the birds and insects. I share it with my neighbours too. Sometimes they have no choice as the clematis armandii knows no bounds. I also get to share theirs. Their roses peek over the fence. The hawthorn and ceanothus in Spring take my eye to their gardens and in June I enjoy a superb display of flowers from a neighbouring elder tree. Seven years of this garden has passed by so quickly and there is so much more to do. Here’s six for this week.
One
This is the creature that prompted this little outburst. A red admiral butterfly on a hosta. The hosta is in a pot at the end of garden. At this time of year it basks in the evening sun and this a favourite end of day spot for a visit. Clearly the butterfly also agrees but it is not so keen on sharing and each evening it dive bombs us in an effort to persuade us to leave this little corner. The butterfly always wins. This is the third year of this interesting behaviour.
Two
A combination of persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ and alchemilla mollis. This has probably been in the garden for about five years. The persicaria has spread a little but not too aggressively.
Three
The suns rays shining through the lovely geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’. This is a garden share from an aunt and has been divided and lifted many times. It has been with me for, and it seems incredible to say this, about twenty years, joining us in each house move.
Four
The roses are exuberant at the moment. This is ‘Darcy Bussell’, great colour and scent.
Five
And this is ‘Jaqueline du ‘Pré’. Looking at its very best in this photo.
Six
Lastly, the very rampant geranium ‘Brookside’ with the rose ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. One of the previous residents of this house was a Gertrude so I hope this meets her approval.
The Six On Saturday meme is all about sharing gardens. Our host is Jim of Garden Ruminations and each week he shares the links to the posts of other SOS gardeners. All are welcome to stop by to have a look and to take part. It’s going to be very hot this weekend, I will briefly mention the lack of rain and the diminishing water storage. But let us enjoy what we can – it is Summer.
n20gardener 
I think knowing a bit of garden history enriched the gardening experience, a nice link from past to present. Sounds like your neighbours are growing nice things for you to enjoy! Lovely six, the Periscaria and Alchemilla look super together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I completely agree, I feel part something bigger.
LikeLike
I think that we are all supposed to be guardians of the land aren’t we? Nice that you know a bit about the history of your plot though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does give me a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. I seemt o remember the first owner won a gardening cup! Lovely to feel I’m continuing the care – no cups though!
LikeLike
I admire the Admiral. One of my joys of gardening is to share with the birds and butterflies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I am always thrilled see the butterflies in the garden
LikeLike
It’s great to know the history of your garden and to keep the plants going year after year. See you in 2030 to take stock of the first 14 years?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an amazing thought Fred. Yes, I hope so. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking great! Nice butterfly shot and the combination of Gertrude Jekyll’ and the geranium is lovely! 😘🌸💞⚘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I took my life in hands getting that butterfly shot!
LikeLike
Now I need to go and small my Darcey Bussell roses to see if I can detect any scent, maybe I’m just nose blind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have three planted together so maybe that gives a stronger smell. Early evening is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have three planted together but not noticed any scent, maybe they are too far away from where we sit.
LikeLike
How lovely that you know something about the garden from the past. All I know is that my house used to be the milking stalls so I imagine the garden was well trodden and manured!
‘Johnson’s Blue’ is gorgeous in the light, I love taking photos of the flowers backlit like that, and like you my roses are doing very well this year, so many flowers (and blackspot, but we’ll skip over that quickly). Sadly I have not seen many butterflies or bees this year. Stay cool! We have fog today!! But it is very muggy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The roses are looking good here but I did spot the first of the blackspot yesterday! It’s going to be very hot here today. I hope you fog clears and you get a breeze.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fog has cleared, but it’s cloudy and humid. Overnight rain has helped the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Working with old gardens can be difficult. I hate to remove something that someone may have tended diligently for many years, or even maintain it differently than intended. I know that I hate to see what happened to my former garden after I left.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. I had to take down a fig tree that was rotten at the base. It had to be done but I knew how much the previous owner loved those figs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, the fig tree at my former home in town is gone now!
LikeLike