I have been fearful of going into the garden of late. Wilting courgettes and parched tomatoes greeted my every appearance. The flower garden drooped and the lawn is brown and crispy. Today we finally have a good downpour of rain which will hopefully last for most of the day. Stored water is replenished and the good soak will help the garden revive. Here’s six from the garden this week.
One
The agapanthus are getting into full swing. These are ‘Midnight Blue’, a slightly darker version. I think they are a little darker than the camera captures them here.
Two
In comparison, I have several clumps of an unknown variety. These came from the old garden nine years ago now and have been faithfully appearing every year since. I’m hoping there’s no agapanthus gall midge to worry about for a few more years.
Three
The hollyhocks are a good example of a plant that is growing shorter and with smaller flowers this year. Perhaps the magic water will give them a surge of growth.
Four
On the other hand the leucanthemum superbum are having a riotous time. They have probably grown taller than any year since they were grown from seed some eight years ago. Much loved by hoverflies and apart from the need for vigilant staking they are trouble free.
Five
These white phlox also came from the old garden and have been moved around this garden a few times. They have done particularly well in this sunnier spot and have not suffered as much from the drought as my magenta phlox.
Six
The hibiscus ‘Red Heart’ was planted a couple of years back to replace a box that had succumbed to blight and caterpillars. The box was a blob that I inherited. This is a far more interesting plant to fill the space.
Oh dear, there seems to be a lull in the downpour. I hope there is more to come. I do have beans and raspberries to pick so a little break in the rain can be welcomed. The first courgettes are coming through and the potatoes continue to supply in reasonable quantity. It’s a quieter weekend for me so I plan to read more SOS posts and catch up with the gardening world from Jim’s Garden Ruminations website. Happy gardening to you all.
n20gardener 
What a lovely Hibiscus, I have a box that has been nibbled. Like you I inherited it, so I’m not too bothered if I can find something pretty to replace it with.
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It was horrible getting rid of our box as it was teeming with caterpillars but I was very happy to replace it.
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I really like white phlox. I also suppose they must be more resistant to rain, because mine, which are pink, turn colour to brown quite quickly as they fade. Very pretty hibiscus too.Have a nice relaxing weekend
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You too Fred.
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I’m glad the rain finally arrived, I think you have thunderstorms and torrentials forecast. Love the hibiscus, far better than boring box. Am also smitten with the Midnight Blue and if it is even darker in real life it must be fabulous. Hope you got the harvesting done before the rain starts again.
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It’s pouring again. But I’m happy 😃
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Oh wow, the agapanthus are amazing! I will definitely have to keep my eye out for “Midnight Blue”. Jim’s description of the gall midge struck fear in my heart last week, too, especially as there’s no cure:-(
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Oh, half are white. ‘Midnight Blue’ is (although not white) impressive. Because agapanthus are so overly common here, I never pursued any of the cultivars. I find them interesting though, and would eventually like to procure a purple cultivar.
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The hibiscus is a beauty. It’s time like these that I regret not buying a house with a more sheltered garden. And only one of my potted aggies has a flower this year. A garden really does challenge us.
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A beautiful Hibiscus. I hope that the rain returned to your garden. Sadly, our forecast rain didn’t materialise today. Maybe tomorrow.
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I have noticed a few pictures of phlox this week. Mine are nowhere near flowering, and I always think of them blooming mid to the end of August. I used to do a bit of judging, and the appropriate open classes were always full of phlox around bank holiday time.
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