Last week we celebrated ten years of being here. Ten year’s of gardening here. You’d think I’d have it all under control by now, but of course not. In fact, I have an urge to pull things out and re-think. There’s one border in particular (well two) that I keep looking at with a less than satisfactory feeling. Maybe come October I will have a plan. In the meantime here’s six from the garden.
One
Last week, day lilies were popular with fellow sixers. Surely this week it will be hollyhocks. Mine turn up in new colours every year. I like this red mixed in with verbena bonariensis
Two
I grabbed this shot of kniphofia to share this week as by next week it may well be gone. Now I just need the rose ‘Lady of Shallot’ situated nearby to put out some of it’s beautiful flowers again and my pink and orange corner will be complete.
Three
Penstemon ‘Garnet’. What a doer. I usually cut these back in April but then I read that cutting them by half in the Autumn and then again in April was the way to do it. I managed the Autumn cut but failed with the April one. Doesn’t seem to have hurt.
Four
Hebe gone mad. There used to be a space between the hebe and the hydrangea where irises, camassias and yet more verbena bonariensis grew. The hebe is having none of it. I’ll cut it back after flowering but I’m happy to let it have the width.
Five
The drumstick alliums are back. Much loved by bees and holding their own against marauding g.psilostemon .
Six
I left my scented leaf geraniums outside this winter. I can’t remember why. I had a few scraggy ends of some of them left but these pink capitatum survived quite well. Once all the dead bits were removed the new growth came through and now the flowers. These were my favourite of the the three varieties I had so I am happy.
Tell me to be quiet if you are tired of hearing that I’m way behind still. One thing that does seem to have come early is blight on the potatoes. I also discovered that the bitter taste I had with one or two cucumbers is down to heat stress. I hope the next batch are back to tasty normality. Jim continues to amaze with his gardening abundance. Take a look at Garden Ruminations and check in other SOSers – join in even! Happy Gardening.
n20gardener 
Interesting to read what you feel about your garden after ten years. I am going through a similar phase as well. Your geranium looks very similar to my Pelargonium Capricorn. I love your Penstemon ‘Garnet’, about time I grew that one again!
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July is a funny time in the garden, I think we all get a bit “dig it all up and start again”. I certainly do. Love those drumstick alliums and your hollyhock/verbena combo is great. Have a good week. Stay cool!
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Maybe that’s what it is! I might need to restrain impulsiveness!
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I would hate to stiffle any impulsiveness!
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Happy 10th garden anniversary! Now that’s what I wish my Allium Drumsticks looked like. Penstemon ‘Garnet’ is the only variety that does any good in my garden. I’ll have to give that autumn/April pruning thing a go.
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I always leave my scented geraniums outside, though I have backup cuttings in the conservatory. But I don’t have the frosts you have.
Like you I have been here 10 years and not happy with my woodland border, especially since the fence was damaged in storm Goretti. I feel like clearing the entire border and starting again, but do I have the energy 🤔
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Exactly what I’m thinking. Energy and imagination. I have the inkling of a plan. But I’ll have to get someone in to help I think. I might go for it though!
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Getting someone in is a good idea.
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congrats on your garden’s 10th anniversary. I hadn’t even stopped to think about mine, but I can actually say now that it’s been 27 years. I’ll write a post about it…in 3 years! The first photo, with its mix of colours and different flowers, is truly magnificent. Well done! I also really love the striking color of the Penstemon ‘Grenat’. Mine, on the other hand, are much more classic varieties. Perhaps I’ll feature them next week?
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Very nice! The Drumstick Alliums do have a peaceful presence, don’t they? I really like the Geraniums and the Penstemons, too. And those Hollyhocks!
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It is gratifying to see that someone else still appreciates Pelargonium and Kniphofia. The hollyhock is impressive. They always get rust here, so we stopped trying.
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Lovely strong colours. Sometimes it’s good to renovate a border but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
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