After a month of very dry weather with temperatures that are far too high for me, the plants in the garden are, by and large, doing very well by themselves without any extra attention from me. This is just as well as lugging watering cans round to water my pots and recent plantings is enough, thank you very much. We had a little rain last night, along with lots of lightning and just a little thunder, but nowhere near enough and today we will be back to soaring temperatures again.
Yucca filamentosa is the surprise of the month. I planted it about 25yrs ago and this is the first flower that I have had inthe last 23 yrs! This plant has also split into 3 and another one has started flowering now.
Another plant where the flowering plumes catch the eye, is Stipa gigantea. With the sun behind them, the flower spikes look like spun gold and contrast nicely with the box Chinese Ginger Jar beside them.
Trachelospermum asiaticum stops me in my tracks as I pass it on the pergola, such a gorgeous perfume.
Inula helenium is another which stops me as I’m rushing by, it is now so huge, thank goodness this stem had flopped, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to photograph it, it is so tall, at least 8ft. The wildlife likes it too!
Iris ensata is still flowering away, this plant has produced so many blooms, it has been amazing.
My tiny rose on the alpine scree is obviously happy, it is only about 6 inches tall and when it flowers I always think of the friend who gave it to me many years ago.
Clematis Prince Charles is doing a good job of disguising my huge water butt at the front of the house.
More daylilies are now flowering since I wrote my last post. I have to remember to deadhead them all each morning so that they don’t look messy.
Tender Fuchsias are brightening up shady areas in pots at the back in the gravel garden. I must remember to take cuttings soon so that I can make more for next year.
Buddlias are now flowering around the garden, just waiting for any passing butterfly, I think it might be a bit early yet for them, it is still early morning!
Those are my 10 for July, there is lots of colour from all the plants that have been here for years. They have got their roots deep down in the soil which is heavy clay, and I think this is why they do so well when we have periods of drought. I don’t like the high temperatures at all, I will be hiding under my arbour in the back garden which is covered in honeysuckle, along with the golden hop, with a long cold drink and a good book and just wait for cooler weather!
I’m joining with Chloris at The Blooming Garden for this months post, please join her to see what is flowering in her garden at the moment.
I enjoyed reading your post Pauline and looking at your lovely flowers whilst I, too, am sitting in the shade waiting for cooler weather to return. The white buddleia is lovely.
The shade is the best place to be at the moment Denise! It is taking me all my time to keep cool, definitely not the weather for working hard in the garden!
Thank you for sharing your favourite July blooms Pauline, they are all lovely. The scent of trachelospermum is divine. I love the Iris ensate, I wish I had a damp enough spot. We had the thunderstorm too but not enough rain. But I think rain is forecast for Saturday.
It is now a lot cooler Chloris, thank goodness and I think my plants are probably as happy as I am! It was a pleasure to join with you again, there is so much choice in July.
The Stipa is very dramatic! And ‘Prince Charles’ is quite a handsome fellow. We went through a period of horrible heat and humidity but it’s been beautifully mild the last week or so.
I love the stipa Jason, especially with the sun shining through it. At last our temperature has dropped when the wind changed from the south to the west, so instead of wind coming from Africa it now comes across the Atlantic, maybe I will be able to sleep tonight!
Such beauties Pauline. How wonderful seeing the yucca in flower after all that time. It’s been to hot for me too, my plants wilt quickly in our sandy soil. We are due thunder storms all night tonight. I love them.xxx
The Yucca is amazing dina, the third one is now flowering, I hope I don’t have to wait so long before it flowers again, that would make me nearly 100!At last we have had some serious rain, but without the thunder and lightning, thank goodness, sleeping is a problem without that!