Playing with little people for the last two days has been such fun.............
I try to ignore my aches and pains that come with age. Sitting in the warmth of the sun feels good.
There is nothing like a nap to restore energy levels............
A dull cloudy day, still no sign of rain. I think I may resort to a rain dance soon............
Containers are doing well. Feeding with comfrey tea on a weekly basis suits them ..........
the added bonus is that it costs nothing, just a little time and a peg for your nose :)
I love Gazania. I bought these from a neighbour. She had grown too many and was selling them. I bought 18 plants at a ridiculous price, virtually 'give away'
Hemerocallis Stafford is my favourite daylily. I could not capture the true colour. It is a beautiful deep red with a yellow throat. It produces an abundance of flowers each year. I would not be without it.
My favourite plant combination at the moment is white musk mallow and a cerise salvia. I would like to say I planted them together. The salvia is not hardy so I did not expect to see it this summer and the mallow is a 'self seeder'.
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora has lovely lacy blooms.
Sometimes the best way to view them is flat on your back and that is what I did to take this photograph.
The flowers this year are magnificent, the size of a football, and lots of them.
Back to the garden, so much to do, so little time :)
A small skipper patiently waiting for the sun to break through the clouds.............
It is hot and humid today. Temperatures could reach 35C (98F) this afternoon. If that is the case, I may possibly melt :)
The borders seem to be coping, despite the lack of rain for weeks.
I have a no water policy here, unless something is really struggling.
I have not grown lilies for years, due to the dreaded lily beetle. We have them in the garden. Someone suggested I use a garlic spray........I made some. I spray every ten days and sure enough it works.
Filipendula is just coming into flower. The scent is soft and almondy, like marzipan. You may see 'queen of the meadow' as you walk along country lanes.
The white form of the Rosebay Willowherb is not so invasive. It is gently making it's way through the border. I am a great fan of this plant. I have a peach form that has never flowered but I am not going to give up on it.
Five little wrens fledged last week. I was lucky enough to see them all. So tiny, and so very beautiful...........
Weather conditions in the UK this year have been testing.
Extreme, is the word I would use. Gardeners, I have found, have endurance levels beyond the norm, and rarely give up on a garden. It will always be a challenge and with climate change it is not going to get any easier.
The joy it brings, by far outweigh, the problems we face.
Happy gardening :)
