All I can think about is the heat. I have been wondering what plants cope with this new British climate. Hot dry summers and wet winters. Answers on a postcard, please. This is the fifth summer in this garden and it is time for an edit. When is it not time for an edit? Recent carnage has included the decimation of the gooseberry bushes. Eleven taken out and now eight remain. Excuse me if the maths is wrong :). This makes room for some redcurrants and I shall sneak a bit off the end to extend one of the borders. That’s a trailer for a six to come. For the moment here’s this week’s six.
One
Zinnias. Last year they seemed to come through late. This year they are bang on time. They are fast becoming my favourite annual to sow. I lost a couple to the voracious slugs but those that made it through are putting on a good display. These are the Sarah Raven ‘Deep Zinnia’ collection.
Two
Kniphofia. Or Red hot pokers if you prefer. I never thought I would grow these but I have been won over. I picked up a bag full of divisions at last year’s visit to Ulting Wick garden in Essex. They cost £5, money well spent. Sorry, I don’t know the variety. They have just started flowering but I read that once settled in they can flower from March to November. If they achieve that I will be very happy.
Three
Agastache ‘Blackadder’. Much loved by the bees. I am trying these again. The previous plants did not overwinter. The RHS classes them as Fully Hardy (borderline) so I have my fingers crossed.
Four
I am also giving achilleas a go this year. This one is already a disappointment! I bought it as ‘Terracotta’. Descriptions variously suggested soft orange, browny orange and of course terracotta flowers. But not yellow. I have since tracked down one description which suggest flowers may age to yellow. This plant seems to have skipped the soft orange stage. Unless it changes its ways this is probably not a keeper.
Five
I almost missed showing the large flower head of the evergreen agapanthus. They are just beginning to go over here. They are a marker of high summer in this garden.
Six
The front garden hydrangea is going through its annual identity crisis. What colour will it be this year. I prefer this bluish colour but other flowers are pink, purple and faded variations in between.
Jobs to do include cutting some of the lavenders back. One clump has definitely finished flowering. There is watering to be done and the cosmos need dead heading. The roses are in full flow again so more dead heading. I think I can manage that in the heat but the best part is walking round the garden in the evening and taking in the scents. Lovely.
I hope all is lovely in your garden. To catch up with the news from other SOSers please stop by The Prop’s garden update, where all the links are posted.
I’ve planted the same group of plants either side of a small path.. The Agastache ‘Alabaster’ were in the garden already and they have now been joined by Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ and Pennisetum villosum. Fingers crossed for next summer.
On the diagonal opposite to this area is what was fondly known as ground elder corner. After three summers of digging it out I think I have the upper hand and so I am beginning to put in some permanent plants. First to go in is Trachelospermum jasminoides, a firm six on saturday favourite. I’m hoping it will very quickly cover the great expanse of unattractive brown fence.
Also adding some late colour are these Lillies. Yet more naming debates: are they now Schizostylis, or Hesperantha? I know which one I prefer. These came from the old garden and are bulking up nicely.
And since repetition is allowed and because the late colour is so fabulous, I give you again the Salvia ‘Amistad’ and the Rose, Darcy Bussell. The Salvias mooched along all summer but they have really established themselves in the last month. Darcy Bussell just keeps on putting out new buds.
