Contrary to the forlorn look of the garden this morning I am sure it is much happier. Some plants are weighed down by the rain that finally arrived. Verbena, cosmos and guara drop their heads but deep down their roots are sucking up some much needed moisture. Yes the rain came. Overnight thunderstorms on Thursday and then on and off showers since. My six for the week were snapped before the rain.
One
My favourite combination in the garden at the moment. Echinacea ‘White Swan’ and pennisetum villosum. The beautiful fluffy heads of the pennisetum are one of today’s droopers but I’m sure they’ll pick up.
Two
Day lilies. These are in half sun, half shade so I may get another week of display from them. They are ‘Golden Chimes’. Planted in 2017 and I divided them last year, spreading their cheerfulness around the garden.
Three
I have a running-riot clump of Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ in the garden which was also divided last year. I planted a few small pieces in some semi-shade hoping the growth would be slower. They have taken to the new spot with as much enthusiasm as the original planting. I can see I will have to be ruthless.
Four
One of my inherited plants is a group of white phlox. I’d left my well established clumps behind when we moved house so I was very happy to see these come through in the first summer here. These are in the shade of an apple tree and are one of the plants that I have faithfully watered, at the first sign of wilting, in the dry spell.
Five
These are my everyday agapanthus. For unknown reasons this clump has flowered very well this year while about 4 feet away there languishes a clump of agapanthus foliage with not a sniff of a flower. That clump will be dug up and divided, fed and given one more chance.
Six
There is one thing in the garden that does seem to have enjoyed the high temperatures. The figs have ripened and the first to be picked were greedily eaten. I just stopped myself in time and took a photo of this one. The best are high in the tree and as usual the birds get to those first.
The cooler temperatures will persuade me out into the garden again. Even the early morning deadheading proved too onerous in the heat. Now rain battered rose petals decorate the garden so there is extra snipping to be done. Enjoy your gardening time and for a break, stop by at The Prop’s place to see what goes on in the SOS world.