Not a cloud in the sky, I should be grateful but I am afraid to say this weather is getting me down. It's not just the heat, it is the humidity. Yesterday temperatures reached 32C (94f) and today they are expected to go higher. Phew!!!
The grass is brown, which I can live with. It will come back once the rain arrives. Nella sleeps most of the day and who can blame her.
Rabbits are out and about at all hours trying to find food. I have been feeding them, also lots of water sites around the garden for the birds etc.
Each evening a hedgehog visits the garden. He comes for his cat food and other hedgehog goodies. I am not the only one struggling, our wildlife is having a difficult time.
I water containers each evening. I seriously must think about planting some of the plants into the garden during the Autumn.
Perhaps just keep a few pots of annuals, which are easy.
I love this paniculata. I think it is Vanilla fraise. It has the most wonderful scent and stops me in my tracks as I enter or exit the shed.
Sanquisorba lilac squirrel is coping well with the drought. It is supposed to look like this by the way, it is not gasping for water :)
During the Spring I bought some dwarf gladiolus bulbs. I went with apricot this year. They are dotted through the borders and are looking beautiful.
I am not watering any plants in beds or borders.
This year it will be survival of the fittest.
Weather is changing, climate change is here.
For me, it is no good planting something that will struggle.
Nature is a great teacher and I am willing to learn.
Hope you are all managing to keep cool, especially those in the South where we are melting :)
Inula Magnifica will grow to dizzy heights. Even in its demise, it has a touch of shabby chic.
It is also a wonderful landing pad for insects. This morning the female, beautiful demoiselle, took breakfast on a bloom.
This afternoon a beautiful peacock butterfly arrived.
Inula Magnifica is a wonderful addition to borders, it is drought tolerant and grows to around two metres high.
It certainly makes a statement in the garden.
I decided to work in the garden today. Temperatures were high but I thought if I worked in the shady areas, it would not be too bad.
A couple of hours later and I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. The humidity was making me feel so weary, everything seemed to be an effort.
The moss garden is now a grass garden. Ha!! Perhaps I should call it the green garden :) That covers everything.
The Eucalyptus is shedding its bark. I love watching this process. When it is completed the new trunk will be like a piece of art.
Beneath the tree is this lovely Hydrangea. It has a beautiful blue/purple centre which I love.
Last year I divided Crocosmia Lucifer. They now run through every border and island bed and have really bought the garden together. They will tolerate drought and the beautiful red blooms fit in perfectly with this very hot Summer.
The garden looks lush and that is mainly due to the storm last week. Here's hoping there will be more to come.
My darling girl is not happy in the heat and spends most of her time in the front garden. Sadly she is slowly losing her sight.
We will cope. She is my faithful friend and we will work through this together.
The rabbits are taking full advantage of her dwindling sight, and inviting their friends into the garden.
Sadly her rabbit chasing days are over.
Stay cool, stay happy and enjoy these long Summer days, they seem to be passing very quickly.
It is lovely to sit in the shade of the jungle garden. The extreme temperature we are experiencing at the moment is way too hot for me.
It is said it will reach 31C in our area today. Phew!!!
Fortunately Thursday afternoon we had the most amazing thunderstorm.
I saw it coming from the North. Dark clouds were forming and a pink tinge told me this would be a rain giving storm.
I walked out into the garden and waited patiently. Pitter patter, pitter patter and then the heavens opened.
I was soaked but it didn't matter.
It rained solidly for thirty minutes. Torrential rain :)
The drive flooded, the conservatory roof got a good clean (it needed it), it was wonderful.
The whole garden seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
And the smell, that wonderful smell when rain hits dry soil. Beautiful.
All my water butts are full.
The pond has been topped up. The garden will survive for a few more weeks after the deluge. I am grateful.
Water is so very precious.
Each gardening season I promise myself I will not buy any more plants. The problem is I fall in love so easily.
When I saw dozens of satiny midnight blue flowers over lacy leaves I was hooked. The plants literally followed me out of the nursery. What is a girl to do :)
Delphinium Summer nights is a dwarf variety. It grows to around 30cm (12") tall. It is a bushy plant and is smothered in blooms. It will flower from Summer - Autumn.
Sadly it is short lived but I will enjoy for as long as it stays.
Be still my beating heart.
