After a week of storms and torrential rain with bits of sunshine thrown in between, most of the plants are still upright and looking bright and perky. The two main ones that have been toppled were Crocosmia Lucifer and Miscanthus malepartus. I managed to get Lucifer back upright without it looking as though it is in a straightjacket, but had problems with the miscanthus as it is rather large by now. I was wearing a short sleeved T shirt and ended up with a nasty rash on both my upper arms and masses of long diagonal cuts on both arms, plus something bit me on the inside of my elbow! I’m presuming the rash came from the sap where I had cut a few stems and all the cuts must have come from the leaves which I hadn’t realised must be sharp, oh, the joys of gardening! Here are my 6 for this week.
No 1 Hydrangea
Hydrangea Ayesha with lovely incurved petals like a lilac.
Hydrangea paniculata Candlelight, a bit different from all my others.
No 2 Hypericum prolificum
Hypericum prolificum is more a small tree than a shrub as I have pruned away the lower branches.
Masses of tiny flowers are loved by the bees.
No 3. Agapanthus
White Agapanthus in the front drive always flower first……
…..but the blue ones aren’t far behind.
no 4 Lysimachia ephemerum
Lysimachia ephemerum is now forming a good support role around my Iceberg roses.
No 5. Fuchsia
The common Fuchsia magellanica, but I still like it as a hedge by the back door.
Fuchsia Whiteknights Blush, bought to remember my daughter’s Hall of Residence at Reasding University.
Fuchsia magellanica alba which looks just like a wall of icicles when allowed to grow into a large shrub.
No 6 Buddleia
My 3 buddleia in the driveway border are now bringing in the butterflies when the sun decides to shine for us.
They all have a very distinctive perfume, is it that which attracts the insects?
This one is up by the pergola at the top of the garden. I did have a white one which was very popular with the insects but unfortunately it died after I found it sitting in flood water last winter, I must replace it soon to somewhere that stays dry!
Those are my 6 for this week, thanks again to Jon The Propagator for hosting each week, do pay him a visit to see what he is up to this week!
Absolutely love the agapanthus! It’s a favourite of mine right now.
And mine too Catherine, ever since I saw them growing wild in the Scillies I have tried to recreate the scene here at home, still a way to go though!
I feel your pain with the cuts on the arms – you never notice while you’re doing it, but then it starts stinging later!
I really like that Lysimachia, it looks absolutely lovely 🙂
I think you must have done the same at some time Andrew, you’re so right, it was later that evening that the stinging started! All a lot better now thank goodness, but I know for next time, wear my gardening coat no matter how warm it is! Lysimachia ephemerum is reasonably well behaved, I have had some thugs in my time and turfed them out, but this one can stay as it makes a nice backdrop to my Iceberg roses, glad you like it.
Your encounter with the Miscanthus really sounds very unpleasant Pauline. I am glad you recovered so quickly. The Hypericum prolificum is really living up to its name. The Lysimachia ephemerum is one of my favourites. I am still trying to get rid of L punctata!
At the time I didn’t realise that I had done anything Denise and now everything is a lot better, must wear protective clothing in future! The little Hypericum tree is covered totally with tiny flowers and looks very pretty and the trunk now is very knarled and twisted, really interesting. Yes, I too am still trying to get rid of L. punctata, it just won’t go no matter what I do.!
Your agapanthus must look really striking in situ, Pauline – and I love that lysimachia. We do not intentionally put ourselves in danger in the garden, but it shows how easily it happens 🙁
The Agapanthus really make the August garden come alive Cathy along with other corms, bulbs etc, wouldn’t be without them though since I saw masses of them in the Scillies.
As usual it all looks great, love all your mid summer color!
I’m also excited about the buddleias and agapanthus. I must be careful that I don’t convince myself I need more of them 🙂
I removed a few miscanthus over the last year or two. I’m pretty tolerant but they were just getting too big and I don’t appreciate those saw-edged leaf blades…
Thank you Frank, it is a colourful month! I think the only time I have been close and personal with my Miscanthus is when I’ve been cutting them down in February and the leaves have been very dead so they haven’t hurt, I now know otherwise!
Ouch re the rash and cuts. I have Candlelight too, she’s pretty. Loving the agapanthus and the buddleia.xxx
Arms are almost better thanks Dina, I’ll know for future that protective clothing must be worn! The agapanthus are looking better each day with more flowers opening, when they are all open I’ll try and get a photo of them.x