Holiday time! I will be making sure the weeding is up to date, the hedge trimmed, the irrigation systems are in place, the underside of cabbage leaves are free of butterfly eggs, my crops are picked and alright to be left for a short while.
Meanwhile the garden borders are still looking colourful and as some plants go over, others are preparing to bloom but when I see the buds of Sedum and Asters my heart sinks a bit as I associate these with Autumn. Never the less, the long flower stalks of Lavandula Grosso wave merrily in the blustery wind and the blousy dahlias are the envy of my friends!
The season is a bit slow this year so but for fiery colours you can rely on Hemerocallis, Heleniums, , Persicaria (e.g. amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’), Penstemons(e.g. ‘Firebird’ and ‘Garnet’) and Fuchsia Ricartonni in August. For softer hues try Agapanthus, Asters, Phlox, Hydrangea, Persicaria (e.g. amplexicaulis alba), Leucanthemum and Penstemons (e.g. ‘Evelyn’, ‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Heavenly Blue’ but keep them deadheaded to encourage more flowers).
My bee borders by the hives are looking good with Phacelia tanacetifolia, elsewhere wild bramble, my lavender and Hebe will be providing a good source of nectar to the busy colonies during good weather.
Always thinking ahead to the next season I have labelled my dahlias with discreet tags reminding me of which ones I want to divide early next year and I have sown my winter salads in the polytunnel. It strikes me that there is still a lot to do in the garden this month!
