23-8-2026
I love Victorian plant stands, especially with zinc liners. This one is small and not so elegant but at least it has a liner, although not sure it matches. A lot of seeds / dust was in the liner so thought I'd plant that and see what I get. I used to plant the sweepings from my patio but haven't had enough "dust" generated in my new garden.
Even in this hot dry weather, the dandelion rosette in a crack in my driveway is magnificent.
Scarecrow enjoys the warm weather.
garden in a pot
the asters are early this year, I guess because of the heatwave, mine is in bud
some out and about I've observed in full bloom
It is a difficult time in the garden with no rain and extreme termperatures. It's so sad that all I want is the summer to be over and for the temperature to cool down rather to enjoy growing what I can in the remainder of the season. I can't grow anything else as the watering strain is taking it's toll.
willowherb I thought might be a new one (to me) but now think it's one I've seen before
next day, bud open, in full flower
best view of new bud below the flower
alpine / pimpernel willowherb
amaranth
closer view of the flower
to the right of Scarecrow is a flower that has self-seeded on my patio, I think it's hawkweed oxtongue but it's very difficult to tell in this difficult environment in this difficult weather
green alkanet at the bottom on the right
catnip (Nepeta cataria) behind Olaf
Scarecrow and Olaf trying to find some shade
A few things have been a success recently. The henbane has been great with a succession of flowers visited by bees. A henbane with a bee inside.
datura
shoo-fly that self-seeded in the garden
selfheal
cosmos had been blooming and visited by bees
Verbascum blattaria, self-seeds enthusiastically, I've had lots in bloom
the calendula forming seeds
the purple loosestrife was in the centre of the garden last year but it self-seeded in two places on the edge of the garden, I guess where it's a bit cooler, also chicory to the left, rhubarb in the front
globe thistle to the left front, giant knapweed to the right front, teasel to the front left
Korean bellflower
bee just peeking out of the bellflower
bee on the outside of the bellflower
the alpine poppies have produced a steady succession of flowers
I didn't sow any sunflower seeds but I have a few self-seeding from birdseed.
and bees visiting
The cornflowers have been fantastic this year, so many bees visiting and a succession of flowers. They're mostly finished but I have a few fresh ones blooming.
I have been watering one of the pots with a cornflower and although it looked spent, a fresh flower bloomed and I see a bud as well
this liatris that came in the garden by Sainsburys bulb boxes has been great, striking flowers that have attracted bees
this white dahlia came in the bulb box as well
the evening primrose flowers have been exquisite in the evening when they bloomed
lavender buds
scabious
