Spoilt for choice this week. Those second half of summer flowers are coming through and a handsome downpour of rain on Tuesday perked everything up. Here’s my six for this week.
One
This is a plant I never would have chosen to add to the garden. It graces the front garden under a bay window and its intense blue really is quite an eye catcher. I still can’t decide if I like it but it is an inheritance I won’t be rejecting. Lacecap hydrangea btw!
Two
This is a hydrangea I did choose for the garden. It is hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blushing Bride’. I’ve looked this one up and I find that it is that it is part of the Endless Summer range and can flower on old and new wood. Thereby giving flowers from June to October. Well I never!
Three
Hurrah. A Winter survivor. Some penstemons were lost but this is a very healthy looking specimen. If I remember rightly it is ‘Plum Jerkum’ but please correct me if I’m wrong.
Four
I think it is obligatory at this time of year to show a pollen soaked bee in a hollyhock flower. I am happy to oblige.
Five
Here’s my collection of allium sphaerocephalon. Unspellable, unpronounceable and previously a little underwhelming. This year, after about four years in the ground, they have bulked up and their stems can now happily support the flower head. I’ve looked these up as well and belatedly see that they could look good against a backdrop of ornamental grasses. Here they work with gaura and day lilies. Not too bad.
Six
Speaking of day lilies, here is my only other variety. ‘Golden Chimes’ is its name, it’s been in the garden a few years now and about every other year it is divided and spread around a little more.
I’ve had to make a few decisions this week. Gone for the aging choisya, gone for two skimmias and gone for a euphorbia mellifera that I thought would pull through. One border looks a little thin now! On the plus side I spotted new growth from some dahlia tubers left in the ground and a salvia microphylla, aka Blackcurrant sage, has also woken up. I’m looking forward to a few more showers today to keep the hydrangeas happy. I hope the gardening space provides happiness for you this weekend too. Jim, our host, has a fabulous selection to share. Stop by for a visit and drop in on the other SOS bloggers for more gardening delights.
n20gardener 
I now have hydrangea envy! I have just the one, which I managed to keep through last winter. I have taken a cutting which I am nursing along, so fingers crossed. I am glad that the allium have performed better this year, they do look lovely.
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Fingers crossed for your cutting. I have a friend who has amazing success with hydrangea cuttings, I think she roots them in water!
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My vote for the blue lacecap is a big thumbs up! I love it. Mind you, the pink one is nice too. Lovely purple penstemon, mine made it through but isn’t flowering yet. Sorry to hear about your casualties, especially the mellifera. Sounds like you have got a bit of shopping to do.
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Every cloud…..
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This ‘Blushing Bride’ has an uncommon colour that you don’t see often, but I admit the lacecap is my favourite this week!
Too bad for the choisya, maybe you’ll try again next time?
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I am wondering what to plant in the choisya spot – it is a large space and I would like something evergreen. In preparation for its demist I
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Oops sent that as I corrected a word! … in preparation for its demise I planted a ‘Black Lace’ elder shrub nearby which will fill much of the space. I’ll be searching around for something else though
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My hummingbirds would love the penstemon! They have been quite active at the feeder – I think the next time I fill it I will reduce the sugar – lots of nectar about, but they also can use more water I think. I find that blue hydrangea stunning – is it always blue, or is it a living pH indicator like other hydrangeas are?
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It is almost entirely blue but with some purple heads coming through later in summer. Very interesting!
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Sounds beautiful! Our native one is either white or pink.
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I love the blue hydrangea, such a vibrant colour. I had a similar penstemon, mine was Garnet. And after a few years it turned it’s toes up. A shame because I do like the colour.
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Also a big fan of the blue Lacecap hydrangea . I’m glad to hear the drumstick alliums have bulked up a bit. I’m hoping some of my new batch will do the same – they’re tending to flop about a bit at the moment, especially in the rain.
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I hate it when they are floppy but this year they have been solidly good. I hope yours come good too.
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Oooh, both those hydrangeas are gorgeous!
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Having very alkaline soil I’m always full of envy of any blue Hydrangeas. They end up a muddy purple for me. A lovely Six
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That is a splendid hydrangea to have acquired without actually selecting it. Almost all of the material in my garden was recycled from other gardens. I selected almost none of it intentionally. Otherwise, my garden would be much less interesting.
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I think you are right, I have a mixture of inherited, self seeded and gifted – it all makes up a diverse garden.
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Is it really that blue in real life? It’s a stunning hydrangea. I’ve admired the allium sphaerocephalon in other gardens and yours looks very good too.
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It is an amazing blue and now with some purple ones coming through.
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