'With a blister on my finger, got a blister on my thumb', to paraphrase Dire Straits. This morning I tackled my dried out Artichokes, and it was hard work. But very satisfying!
I should have removed those unsightly ropes (needed to keep the plants somewhat upright after that storm) before I took the photo, forgot, sorry.
The weather today is pretty good! So the bumblebees were out in force, making the most of it. This huge, chubby one on the Aster was over 2cm, and happy as Punch.
I met quite a few creatures; a large brown toad scuttled away from me, a blackbird took no notice of me at all whilst using the frog pond to bathe, and one of the resident brown rats took one look at me and then shot under my waterbutt.
My side border is a mix of spent Hydrangeas and very cheery Hebe and Asters. That Hebe is looking blergh all through Summer, but comes into its own in Autumn. I keep telling my plants to keep off the path, but they don't listen...
That Pampus grass, Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila' has turned into a giant! It is over 3 m high. And can you spot my yellow Heliopsis? The only survivor of the five I planted last year. The hanging plant in the white pot is struggling, but I give it a chance with the rains that we are promised by the end of this week. Normally we get enough rain for it to survive without me watering it.
My favourite colour blue. But this Salvia uliginosa has not done well this year. I need to get some fresh plants.
I am very satisfied with this Lathyrus latifolius though! I keep hearing this year was a terrible one for lathyrus, but mine has done quite well. I did water it religiously though, and deadheaded practically every day. It is perennial, so I am already looking forward to next year.
Better late than never...I suppose. The Cosmea were trouble right from the moment of sowing. I was in Rucphen last weekend, and saw entire verges with them, and thought 'What? How?'. Mine were on the cusp of withering away all summer long, despite watering. But they've had more rain in Noord-Brabant. My delta has been the driest area of the entire country, in the second driest year in living memory.
Next to the frog pond are the only summer bulbs that have flowers. I am quite upset: planted 5 different kinds and only these ones have flowered. The rest just produced a mass of leaves. Bummer!
Talking of leaves, this pretty scrambling Houttuynia cordata has removed itself from the planter and is now silently walking along the path towards the frog pond. I let it do its thing, much too pretty to pull it out. And I should cherish those plants that conquer my rock hard clay!
Okay. I have told you about all my climbers against my shadow nook-without-shadow dying on me for three years in a row, right? Well, today I planted a bell Hops. I found it next to my path, and listening to the herb lady wisdom that wild plants come to find you when you need them, I carefully dug it up and planted it in the nook. Fingers crossed that this one will survive, ramble away, and give me my much needed shade in summer! My neighbour says it is a thug, well, bring it on!
I'll leave you with a photo of the clubhouse of the Heemtuin in Rucphen. I am doing a six week medicinal herbs course there on the Saturdays. Beautiful garden, which I hope to be able to actually photograph.
Have a great weekend, wherever you are, and do take a look at my website if you are in the mood for more blogs at Renée Grashoff Schrijft
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten