The problem with aging....

...is that the mind and body often clash.  The mind suggests that this needs an overhaul or that needs attention.  The body stands, hands on hips, with an attitude and says hell no!

I do love a bit of a clash in the garden however. 

The two gardens that for me have really surpassed my expectations this year are the Yen (above) and Mugwart's Retreat (below).  The plants have really settled in since they both had an overhaul and I'm really enjoying the firm shapes with pops of colour in the Yen.  The serenity continues in Mugwart's Retreat but with a more relaxed vibe. 

Since this photo was taken of the Retreat however, our neighbour has removed the high hedge so the light has changed a little.  We shall soon find out the impact on the plants on this once shaded area.

Sadly the impact has already been felt with the loss of habitat for the sparrows that had called this large expanse of evergreen hedging home.  There has been a marked decline in feathered visitors to our bird feeders, as they have flown further afield in search of shelter. 

A little solace was discovered today in our tiny pond.  The miniature water lily has produced a single bloom!

A quick glance around the garden.

Recently, Adam Frost hosted Gardener's World on the BBC and he was explaining the pruning techniques for Wisteria.  He was told to remember 7's and 2's!

So The Man That Can decided to give it a try.  We had a single flower this year so here's hoping that cutting back to 7 buds in the 7th month, and to 2 buds in the 2nd month, will give us the goods next year.  

He has only done a few shoots this way because we're still training in the framework. 

This curious flower belongs to Rhodochiton which we planted in July. 

As it's a tender climber, I doubt it'll survive our winter but it's happy enough for now, scrambling through r. Shropshire Lad. 

As the long weekend at the end of August passes, my mind begins to wander, toying with ideas for next year...

September - a vision in pink

As the schools open again, there's been a definite change in the weather.  Leaves have begun to fall (although how many are due to the extreme conditions we've had this year is unclear), the nights are noticeably drawing in, the mornings are certainly slower to begin, and there's a nip in the air.

2018 has become joint hottest year since records began in England.  The Met Office has released a statement telling us that the figures were so close (.03c) that they have declared this summer was equally as hot as 1976.  It would have been an outright winner had August not dropped to average temperatures as June and July were so hot this year.  But there you go.

While some plants in the garden have enjoyed the hot dry temperatures this year, others clearly have not.

Most of my hydrangeas have struggled.  The one below in the left hand side of the patio arch border was almost lost due to a lack of water and as a result flowered poorly.

This hydrangea below however is in a shadier area, in the Pink Garden and has thrived.

The large lilac lacecap hydrangea in the front garden struggled and despite having many flowers, has lost almost all its flower like bracts which I tend to leave on over winter to help protect it.

The pair of lacecap Hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecakes have been a sorry sight for most of the summer as they peaked too soon, then had to endure tap water as the butts had run dry so early in the season.  I'm confident that they will look better next year.

The one in the right hand side of the Patio Arch Borders has fared much better.  I'm guessing this is because it isn't in full sun all day.

And finally the dusky purple hydrangea in the Long Border.  Although it's changed colour due to the use of tap water, it's stayed healthy and should be a better colour next year.

Although still no flowers this year, the Wisteria is being trained to grow over the pergola in the Yen Garden. 

The Kaffir lily, botanical name Schizostylis (Hesperantha) joined in the late summer show in the Pink Garden. 

Monty was cutting out spent Agapanthus spikes this week on GW...mine is yet to open!

A trip to the Botanical Gardens plant sale was cancelled today.  I took the executive decision that we should be moving plants out of the borders at the bottom of the garden ready for the new fence rather than adding to them, and since I've not attended any of their sales this year, this one wouldn't be a huge wrench. 

Besides....I brought some back from Devon with me!

Can't find the label for the yellow plant above, but it has leaves like a hardy geranium.  It might be a geum perhaps.

Two sisyrinchium plants, one labelled as "dragon's eye" which should be white-pale-lilac with a blue-purple eye in late spring to late summer and enjoys full sun.  I look forward to seeing what colour the other one flowers.

Welcome to Autumn.

A breath of fresh air

Finally the temperatures have lowered and we've had some useful rain.  It's still warm...but that normal "British summer warm" and far more comfortable to sleep at night.

Taking advantage of the cooler weather with rain guaranteed for the weekend,  the Terrace Border needed some attention. 

The plants except the sambuccus nigra "Black Beauty" and the clematis Armandii were removed and masses of garden compost added to the soil.

First in is the new hydrangea Bumblebee rescued, along with some of the irises which now repositioned in spots that won't be smothered by herbaceous perennials might get to bake their rhizomes enough to perform. 

Ernie the Easter Island head was completely hidden in the patio borders so he's found a new slightly loftier position on a tree root.

A really deep and wide hole was dug, All the soil replaced with rich homemade garden compost and after a bit of a tidy up, rosa Lovely Daughter was replanted. It really didn't do very well in its previous spot, but I've found that roses are pretty tough and forgiving so with a bit of TLC it should bounce back next year.  I've added a little patch of cottage pinks to pick up the dusty rose once it flowers.

A couple of patches of sun loving ground covering sedums should bring the bees and butterflies in, along with the taller sedum spectabilis.  Beside this is an evergreen ball of Viburnum that had self layered a couple of years ago and I potted up until it was large enough to plant out.  It's hidden just now by the sedum but they're quite speedy to put on growth so will soon fill the corner nicely.

Clumps of foxgloves have also been repositioned and will join others that have self seeded in this intersection of two borders.

The purple flowering grass had perished, but the tall stipa gigantica looked well enough to be replanted in a more open spot, along with verbena bonariensis, Perovskia Blue Spire and the now dry seed heads of Eryngiums which will hopefully provide plants for coming years as they drop their seeds.  This is the only part of the Terrace Border that didn't receive a hearty helping of garden compost. 

Everything was well watered and in the evening and the following day it rained...properly.

A self seeded viola nestled in among the strappy foliage of Agapanthus seems very happy.  It would be a shame to shorten it's moment by weeding it out.

Further self seeded violas and tiny primroses saved from the drought.

This Japanese anemone is not ours, but since its in flower it can show off on the patio before it is relocated to our friends new garden when we next get together. 

The large potted Viburnums are beginning to flower.

Osteospermums had a good trim midway through the heatwave and are beginning to relish the cooler temperatures, as are the roses.

r. Special Anniversary above.

r. Gertrude Jeykll has now reached shoulder height and is happy to share her fragrant blooms again.  The potted hydrangea Blueberry Cheesecake at her feet however has exhausted itself and although it started off well, the blooms lost their blue colour due to having to be watered with tap water as the butts of rainwater ran dry.

Coming to the fore now are Phlox above and sedums below.

It's been a difficult summer on the whole for the garden this year, but hopefully if this year becomes the norm in future, my young trees will provide some very useful shade for both garden and gardener!