I see that my last post on 4 July was titled Sunny Days. It is still sunny, but it has been very hot and dry and that is causing problems, as most UK SOSers will have discussed in the last few weeks. I had a busy couple of weekends so I am late to that party. The simple story is no rain, no stored water and a hosepipe ban which has led to plenty of journeys up and down the garden carrying watering cans to a precious few plants while others are left wilting and perilously on the edge of elimination. So many plants have gone over already and they didn’t even get a mention. There’s a sniff of rain on Sunday. Here’s hoping.
One
Some years back I dug out the echinops because they were struggling to do well and seemed always to be covered in blackfly. I must have left a root in, last year they re-appeared and went on to self seed into another border. Here they, barely watered at all. It may only be for a brief moment.
Two
The agapanthus are in full flower now. These are a dark variety called ‘Midnight Blue’. They are quite a short growing variety and as one of my favourites they benefited from the last of the stored water.
Three
If there’s one plant I really should Chelsea Chop it would be these leucanthemums. Even with staking they manage to sprawl and flop. Miraculously this group has managed to stay upright.
Four
This is pennisetum villosum. It’s another plant that was moved in the hope of giving it a better situation. It’s making up ground steadily, I hope it survives the drought. It’s one that will get the benefit of a watering.
Five
The white phlox must be in a part of the garden that has some secret hidden water supply. They are surviving but elsewhere the magenta pink variety are drooping pitifully. I hope they can pull through.
Six
The roses are doing well in the dry weather. The second flush of flowers are much smaller but there seem to be many more of them. Here’s ‘Lady of Shalott’ peeking through the miscanthus.
I think that next week I may be reduced to showing you the worst of the garden. Tough times. On the veg plot the potatoes are much smaller than usual but the taste is fantastic. I’ve been picking tomatoes, cucumbers and French beans. Can you believe that the courgettes have yet to produce. Jim is at his usual post for Garden Ruminations. Drop by and see what it is doing well in glorious Cornwall. Have fun in the garden this weekend.
n20gardener 
I love Echinops. Got gifted some quite recently and am really hoping it will take!
We’ve only had a single courgette from two huge plants. The others keep going yellow and then rotting. Not sure what we’re doing wrong, or if it’s just the dry weather.
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As Jim says, it’s all or nothing with courgettes. I had a variety last year that did as yours are doing. This year I kept it simple and went back to All Green. I have two small fruits and plenty of male flowers.
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I hope you receive the rain that is forecast. Stunning leucanthemums. White flowers display so well and I like that they can be seen at night.
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There was a quick shower that was barely enough to dampen the soil. Back to hot dry weather again. I too like the white flowers that shimmer in the dusk. I’m in danger of adding too much.
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Gosh phlox has been awful this summer so am v impressed with yours. A secret spring? And the blue of the Agapanthus is so eye catching and also nicely cooling! Fingers crossed for rain 🤞
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Yes, similar watering priorities here. I planted a new tree about two years ago so that is a high priority. Other things have to wait until the leaves begin to droop.
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Oops, sent that to wrong person! I do think the phlox has found a secret source, it’s taller than the others too.
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Looks great all things considered. I am also dealing with drought, but for the most part, I only water the vegetables and a couple of plants that would normally live in a more moist area. One think that has been great about planting native plants is that the ecosystem is somewhat restored and those pests like blackfly don’t last long. I noticed some on my tomato plant and a few days later, nothing. I have a lot of ladybugs, lacewings, and other critters that patrol the garden for pests.
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Yes, similar watering priorities here. I planted a new tree about two years ago so that is a high priority. Other things have to wait until the leaves begin to droop.
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That white phlox is fabulous. Do you know the name? At first I thought it was a hydrangea. Agapanthus have been loving the heat. Yours is a lovely colour, is it planted in the ground? Most of mine are in pots. And I must remember to feed and water them!
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The phlox has been with me for many years. It came from the old garden and perhaps from my parent’s garden before that. Needless to say I can’t remember the name. I am really appreciating it this year, it’s usually taken for granted. It’s in the ground. This was moved a couple of years ago and has happily settled in here.
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Very bright white phlox and dark blue agapanthus—a less common sight—are the 2 eye-catchers of the week!
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It’s all or nothing with courgettes, I’m averaging about four a day and eating about half of them. That Phlox is fabulous, I had one for a while but it didn’t survive.
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Drying out seems to be the common story for many of us lately. It’s either that or flooding, which is strange and frustrating. It seems difficult to find locales with steady, comfortable, optimal growing conditions. Considering the drought, your garden looks lush and happy. I’ve always enjoyed the bright, deep blue Agapanthus–they’re stunning! I’m imagining a beautiful bouquet with those cheery Leucanthemums. And ‘Lady of Shalott’ … sigh … simply beautiful. ❤
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That phlox is pretty. Ours looks just like it when it stands up straight. (For my six, I just posted a picture of it sagging from the weight of drizzling fog.) The agapanthus is very pretty also. It is so common here that we do not bother with interesting cultivars like ‘Midnight Blue’. It looks almost purple.
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I’m definitely going to seek out a tall white phlox, yours is so lovely. Pretty dark agapanthus too.
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