The drought continues

One evening earlier this week I could smell the rain before I could either see or hear it.  That musty pungent twang of welcome moisture on hot dry ground.  It reminded me of childhood summers.

Sadly we've not had any 'useful' rainfall and while all the surrounding counties are embarking on hosepipe bans, our little patch of the UK is hoping that water use can be sensibly maintained...at the moment.  

It's a struggle to keep the garden looking lush with such little water.  We don't have a lawn in our current garden, but it's been some time since grass was green around these parts.  I know that it won't be long before the rain returns to our temperate climes.  For some countries this is the norm...and worse. 

The 'nursery' has sadly had a couple of fatalities. I think they're mostly of primulas, but we should be able to replace them in the spring.  Most of the plants in larger pots are faring better since they don't dry out as quickly.

The Yen Garden is doing well. The cannas are loving the hot sunshine and go perfectly with tropical looking crocosmias.

There have been one or two escapees around the garden with c. Lucifer popping up in the Long Border and in the front garden. They can finish flowering and then I'll lift them and replant them into a pot for the time being.  There are plans afoot and they will be planted in the Yen Garden in due course. 

The bedding plants are at full speed now. They do need a bit of deadheading, but now I'm back at work I'm finding it tiring in the evenings.  I'll soon get back into it.

These self sown opium poppies are ripening their seeds so I can spread their joy for next summer. 

I love this daylily.  Very exotic looking, and in another year I'll split this one to share in the Yen Garden.

The hydrangeas are flowering well.

More seeds ripening.

The archway doesn't have the effect yet, but r. Gertrude Jeykll has a growth spurt complete with new buds forming.  She's waist height now.

Below r. Shropshire Lad has a single bud and hasn't really been as vigorous as I had imagined.  Maybe the heat and lower water levels has been an issue.  A good dose of farmyard manure in the autumn should see it right for next year.

Magnolia George Henry Kern has now pretty much reached the top of the fence.  another couple of years should see it block out the view of our neighbour's orange cabin.

The foxglove seeds are almost ready to be scattered in the Pink Garden.  

And the pink aquilegia is having a second flush of smaller flowers. 

This old lily is usually ravaged by lily beetles.  I don't bring it out on view any longer but it's still having a go.  It seems pest free at the moment.

A second flush of creamy white foxgloves are keeping the bumblebees happy.

The dwarf sweet peas have suffered with the heat, being in a small container, but it's beginning to open tiny scented blooms.

Beside the pond, pinks are opening too, providing welcome colour among fallen petals from a very tall spindly looking red rose that's crying out for some tlc in our neighbour's garden.

The water levels have dropped in the pond, but it's still providing a drinking spot for the birds. 

It's almost time for the annual hedge trim.  This monster of a hedge could however find its days are numbered as we're thinking of having it removed.  Whilst it does provide privacy, it does also cause trouble with the soil drying out, with rapid growth that is a bone of contention with our neighbour below, and there is damage in the centre.  There's approximately 3 feet of our garden being taken up with its depth which could, quite frankly, be better used.

As mentioned earlier, plans are afoot.