mid-August 2018

I can finally do something in the garden as the heatwave has cooled down. I've been tidying some things and was going to prune back these dried stems of the poppy when I realised the new flower is growing from the dried stems. We shouldn't be too much in a rush to clear things away. (catnip at the front, honesty to the left, sea holly behind, nasturtium on the right)

late red poppy

I continue to notice Japanese knotweed locally

Japanese knotweed

surprise viola springing from a pot

viola

For the last couple of years I've been doing pots for my neighbour round the corner. One pot had agastache, another had a hollyhock. I removed those and replaced them as they died back. Now agastache and a hollyhock is growing between the paving stones.

agastache

A neighbour nearby has a whole row of mint along the edge of their front garden and right now while it's in bloom it looks amazing. That hoverfly is enjoying it as well.

mint

After seeing that fab mint, I pulled mine out from the crowd of pots while I was tidying up a bit and looked carefully and it has buds. Looking forward to some flowers.

mint

I've seen gipsywort before but this example yesterday along the canal was so fresh and new I just had to photograph it again.

gipsywort

The weather has been so extreme so many plants are out of their natural rhythm. I don't know if the ivy should have buds right now or not but it seems quite early to me.

These are in my garden.

ivy buds

These are along the canal.

ivy buds

I love greater knapweed. Now that it's rained a bit, they are looking so much better than during the heatwave drought.

greater knapweed

greater knapweed

The comfrey has come back as well now that it's not so hot and dry. And the bees are enjoying it.

comfrey bee

comfrey bee