To paraphrase an old song, the weather in July has been cool. Even with some heavy rain recently the garden is on the dryish side but the water butts are full once again. I have managed to catch up on a few jobs: the feeding of the roses has begun and I have spent a great deal of time weeding out the oxalis that has colonised the old greenhouse patch. Sadly no tomatoes this year but the cucumbers are fruiting and I have planted out a late sowing of lettuces as I cleared the oxalis (and slugs). Here’s six from the garden this week.
One
The grapevine has had a belated trim back. There are some good sized grapes this year but I don’t hold out much hope for edible fruit. They usually split, rot or are eaten by birds and wasps. I inherited it and it’s real purpose is to shade the pergola and dining table which it does very well.
Two
This var. unk. hydrangea by the steps is also doing well this year. There’s not too much in the way of scorched flowers and there has been enough rain. It’s turning a soft shade of pink now.
Three
This is echinacea ‘White Swan’. “Oh no it isn’t” you will say. “Oh yes it is” I will say. We could both be right. I definitely sowed seeds of ‘White Swan’. This is definitely not white. I read that echinacea often reverts back to the purple form so I guess this is what has happened here. There should be another opening up soon, it will be interesting to see what appears.
Four
The deciduous agapanthus in the borders are in flower now. This one is ‘Midnight Blue’ a lovely dark form.
Five
About a month ago a large Box shrub was taken out, the struggle with the dreaded caterpillar was not worth continuing. I invested heavily in a mature hibiscus syriacus Red Heart and last week it was planted in the space. A sunny spot against the wall. I hope it gets its feet down quickly and goes from strength to strength. There are flower buds so I will revisit soon.
Six
This is an attempt to show the veronicastrum virginicum. I was given these down a chain of gardeners and I don’t know the variety but of late there have been a few SOS sightings of v. ‘Fascination’. I wonder if this could be the same? I’ve had them for a couple of years now and they are just beginning to fill their space and reach a good height.
I’m hoping to feed a few more roses begore the rain sets in. Then I might, dare I say it, look at the bulb catalogues! There’s a trip to Jim’s glorious garden to be made, (vine weevils not withstanding) where all the links to SOS posts will appear through the day. Enjoy your gardening weekend.
n20gardener 
Lots to shout about here. Your hibiscus looks a fine specimen and I now must have a veronicastrum! It is very expensive this SoSing.
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Isn’t it just! Endless wish lists!
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Hibiscus syriacus known as Rose of Sharon here in central Alabama is a popular classic shrub. It reseeds easily and can be seen in several colors. The bees love it and hummingbirds visit. The seedlings are easy to pull up and I train it to stay in a corner of the yard.
My agapanthus finally bloomed this year.
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Congratulations on the agapanthus. Well I never knew hibiscus self seeded! I’ll have my fingers crossed!
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This bunch of grapes is already very beautiful! If they are eaten by birds or wasps, remember to put them in a bag (paper bag or freezer bag, slightly opened for ventilation ) . That’s what I’ve been doing for the past 2 years and I’ve been able to eat delicious grapes.
It looks a lot like V. Fascination to me
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Perhaps I’ll choose a few good bunches and do this!
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I love the blue veronicastrum virginicum. I have only seen the white one that is native here.
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I have the white one in a shadier area. I think it might prefer more sun!
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I love the gaura, allium, echinacea combination behind the gorgeous dark blue agapanthus. Yes, that’s ‘Fascination’, definitely the best Veronicastrum.
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Thank you. That was all a bit random as I lost a large cistus and had to fill the space. I’d planned to use them in different areas but they do work well together.
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A good bunch of grapes. I have been looking at bulb catalogues too. Definitely a rainy day job!
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Might end up spending more!
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Lovely looking grapes. I hope Fred’s trick means you get some to eat. I too am looking at seed and bulb catlogues as I am determined to grow some tulip sylvestris having seen them in lots of spring SOS posts. Also Fred’s echinacea from this week. And I fancied some chinese lanterns and . . . . . I’d better stop there I think!
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T.sylvestris on my list too!
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And I’ll check out Fred’s tip!
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Rain, and watching out for anyone daft enough to visit the garden has me well pinned down. I’ve placed an order for lilies and I’m now on Plant World’s seed list. I should get out and do something in the greenhouse, it’d likely save me a lot of money.
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Rained most of the day here. I hope you saved some money!!
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The rain is keeping us all indoors today it seems! A good day for catching up with the blogs, ordering the spring bulbs and planning projects for the autumn. I can’t wait to see your hibiscus in flower. I remember the wonderful Hibiscus Blue Bird that the Prop used to show us.
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I just got the roses fed and the rain came down and hasn’t stopped. All good for the garden and the new planting though!
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Your borders are a riot of lovely colour. Envious of the Agapanthus. Mine (in a pot) only flowers every other year.
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Bulb catalogues? The year is really rushing by it seems. The Agapanthus are a great colour.
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I’m resisting the bulb catalogues for a while, but it won’t last long. I lost both of my Agapanthus to the winter cold, ‘Midnight Blue’ is a lovely rich colour.
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Gee, so many similarities with mine. Cool summer. Pink hydrangeas (ours typically get fertilizer to enhance their color.) I did not grow ‘White Swan’ coneflower, but my ‘Red King Humbert’ Canna is not what it was supposed to be. Okay, so I neglected the lily of the Nile, but should have posted the first white blooms ever within our landscapes.
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