Hot, heady days......

"Nanna, look at all your lovely flowers." Poppi said, as she sat amongst the buttercups. She brought a smile to my face but then she always does. The dry hot weather continues, and as with most things there are some advantages, like ripe alpine strawberries. Poppi and Riley soon cleared them.

Honeysuckle is in bloom around the garden. The scent during the evening has been wonderful and attracted many moths.
Oriental poppies were cropped by the rabbits in early Spring. They have bloomed more freely and have not grown so tall. An advantage in this windswept garden.

Hemerocallis 'Europa' grown by the previous owner. It has taken me a long while to love these simple flowers but love them I do. The original 'orange tawny' was grown by the herbalist John Gerard in the early 17th century.

Sisyrinchium.......such a delightful plant. It does not like water around it's roots and has made it's home in the gravel drive. It is more than welcome to stay....I love the buttery blooms.

Hypericum, a lovely bee plant. This one is a dwarf variety and frequents the alpine troughs.

So far this year, the lillies have not been eaten alive by the dreaded 'lily beetle'.
I have seen them in the garden.........






Clematis abound.......most of them are cheap buys. This one hides some ugly netting.





Elder black lace, a particular favourite of mine. I have around eight shrubs in the garden now. Taking cuttings each year, potting them on and then into the garden.





Sweet William, I have not seen this for years. It has also appeared in the gravel drive...what a gift.

I was determined this year to get Cosmos to bloom early. I sowed seeds in February, and kept them in the house. As the seedlings grew I potted them on, eventually putting them in the garden (around a fortnight ago). This is the first bloom, I am so thrilled. This is a dwarf variety so hopefully they will not flip flop all over the place.






This lovely plant arrives each year. It has spread around the garden. I love the delicate flowers........I wonder where it came from.





This is my favourite clematis and was left by the previous owner. It scrambles through the old pear tree and blooms for weeks on end.


Lavender, who doesn't love lavender. I could not have a garden without lavender growing in it.....
Sweet peas are in bloom.....gorgeous.



Cerinthe Major....my all time, favourite annual.





A new purchase, couldn't resist, and it is just perfect for this garden. Aruncus dioicus (sylvester)........it is just beautiful. It should grow in leaps and bounds reaching a height of 120 - 180 cm (4 - 6ft).


Angelica is the plant for any bee lover. Mine is positively buzzing......



I always plant my tomatoes in tubs on the patio. I have never known them to fruit so early. If the weather continues to be as warm, it will not be too long before I am picking them.


I have found the garden a struggle this year. The dry, hot weather, has been exhausting. I now have a virus, which has been with me for five days. Constant headaches and painful joints are stopping me from gardening. Hopefully it will pass soon and I can get on with all the chores that are mounting up.





Hope you are enjoying your weekend.......