I think perhaps this is the first SOS of the summer where I have been struck by the quantity of bees humming through the borders. The sun is shining and the warmth has brought the bees out to forage. It is the best sound of summer. Here’s six from the garden this week.
One
Bee on the allium sphaerocephalon, so much easier to call it drumstick allium. I reported last year that after three years in the garden these had finally asserted themselves and they continue to do well here this year.
Two
I have no idea what this plant is, but it is hosting another bee, hence it’s inclusion. This was inherited, growing in an old wall. It generally does very little at all but this year it has flowered. I like it for clothing wall whether it flowers or not.
Three
The agapanthus that are left to overwinter in the borders have been putting on a show, they are on the turn now but this one, ‘Midnight Star’ deserves an outing for it’s darker blue colouring and of course the bee.
Four
This clematis in bud is included because it has fought back from being ripped off the rose arch and from early season slug attack. There is only one stem, twining its way round the new obelisk but there is promise for next year.
Five
Another in bud flower. The only bud on two clumps of day lilies. They obviously need dividing. But they do suffer from gall midge so I am in two minds about whether to give the ground over to something else.
Six
Out in the front garden it is time for the annual pink/blue/purple hydrangea show. Quite an eye catcher, entirely trouble free and barely ever watered. Winner!
This is time of year when I add another year to the time spent in this garden. I’m up to eight years now and this year I feel the garden has got away from me. September will be a time for dividing, moving and reconsidering. I’ll be having another go at imposing some order on the chaos. I know that July is a turning point for the garden and I shouldn’t judge too harshly but I can see things that have to be dealt with. I’ll continue the fight against the weeds this weekend, most of which are flowering riotously! But as the weather is forecast to be sunny I’ll also enjoy the good things. I hope you do too!
Jim is host of the SOS meme and shares the participant’s guide on his Garden Ruminations website. He also shows an impressive range of plants each week, well worth taking a look.
n20gardener 
Lovely to see all your bees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Embrace the chaos! Such lovely flowers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must be doing a lot right if the bees are enjoying your garden. It is good to have a bit of a rethink every now and again, I’m sure it will be fun once you start the job. Lovely agapanthus, I do like the dark ones. Have a good week.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Where to begin. Like you I am in my 8th year and am unhappy with several parts of the garden, but not sure I have the energy to tackle anything major. Of course when we moved here I was 8 years younger! I think your wall creeper stuff is possibly stonecrop, which is a type of sedum. (And I noticed the cinquefoil – I’m still working on mine). I was also happy to se and hear bees in the garden yesterday afternoon – and even a few butterflies. It has been a challenging year I think for nature, though the weeds and the S&S have had a bumper year. Good luck with the future plans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh the cinquefoil! It’s everywhere and so difficult to remove. But yes as you say 8 years older and still not settled with it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is looking beautiful, love that pic of the bee on the agapanthus. I feel the same about July creating chaos in the garden.
LikeLike
That Hydrangea is very striking with its pinks, blues and purples. I think I have the same mystery plant growing in the gravel path out the front (https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2023/07/08/six-on-saturday-8-july-2023/) which some SoSers suggested was a sedum or stonecrop in the comments section.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like mine. Jim thought mine was sedum sputum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sedum spurium I believe. Like you we have a bit about the place even though it rarely if ever flowers. Seems pretty happy in sun or shade too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is sort of what I thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jim. I must make a note.
LikeLike
‘Midnight Star’ is rad for an Agapanthus! The species is so common here that we are hesitant to try new cultivars.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful to see the bees in the garden as this year we haven’t had many here until recently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes such a difference
LikeLike
As in your garden, the bees have finally arrived here as well. That’s a great Hydrangea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to have the bees around
LikeLike