When I posted for GBBD and subtitled it “C+ Could do better” – perhaps I should explain myself further…..
Taking the photographs for the July GBBD was, as always a delight. I was pleased with what is flowering in the garden but the majority of them were from the kitchen garden which Shedman and I have created from scratch over the past 18 months.
I find the kitchen garden quite charming and very therapeutic (note the chair for thinking deep thoughts!)
However the blooms I photographed from the main garden – well you saw them
“up close and personal”
Flowers always look good in close-up. However you didn’t see them in the context of “the garden” so the bits that “could do better” are edited out. For example – the penstemoms are in front of the particularly unattractive dying poppies which I am not pulling up because I want to save the seed.
I found it a good experience to give myself a C+ because it really has made me stop and think about what plants I want in my garden. What will follow on from the plants that make June so special?
This is a good thing to think about, as I am planning on stocking quite a large flowerbed in the Autumn – otherwise I would have gone out and bought loads of peonies and still have little to show in July!
It has also made me stop and consider plants that I have too easily dismissed in the past for one reason or another. Daylilies – dull, all leaf no lily. Dahlias - why bother they get eaten by earwigs.
So while visiting bloggers in the UK on bloom day these are what I noticed.
The Constant Gardener Had rather nice Helenium, her rose “Darcey Bussell” looked wonderful. Both the Constant Gardener and the Patient Gardener had Ammi Majus – which I am very taken with. (Must try that)
Patient Gardener also had an interesting Salvia.
Victoria had a lovely daylily – El Desperado – which confirmed I really must give daylilies another look – and so spent several happy hours on the Internet. (It is raining here to-day, and yesterday, and the day before ….)
Shirl Had wonderful blooms up – but as she combined it with wordless Wednesday, she did not name them – however my eye was caught by some rather lovely deep reds one of which was a clematis (possibly Niobe?) – but her post reminded me of color.
On VP’s slide show – I was attracted to her Dahlia Moonfire and the Allium spaerocephalum – (but the allium doesn’t count as it was all ready on my shopping list).
So I am spending happy hours planning planting that will carry the “keyhole” flowerbed from May to August – although I have to say – I would rather be IN the garden. (sigh)
My garden is the same. If it wasn’t for the sweet peas and the few plants up the old railway line, I would have no colour at all. So, your task is to find colourful plants for July onwards that like shade!!
Hi Dobby – thanks for the visit – errr – why is it my task – I am sure I gave you a gardening book as a house warming present !
Karen
It is so hard to have something nice blooming all the time. Sounds like you’ve got some great ideas for the future though. I LOVE your kitchen garden!
Hi Amy – I do have loads of plans – I just hope the purse will accommodate them all
Thanks for the nice comment about the kitchen garden – that photo was taken on a very Grey and rainy day. I love it too
Karen
oh wow! that is a garden fit for a queen! wow!
Hi Marilena – thanks for visiting and the lovely comment
Karen
Hi – thanks for the mention. Ammi majus is really easy but I think it is at its best when it has room around it – in other words not in front of a hedge. Dont know if that makes sense. Am still trying to find the name of the Salvia. They do say that the best way to ensure interest in the garden is to buy something in flower or interesting each month – sounds like a good excuse to me
Hi Patient Gardener – you are very welcome. I agree that it is a good idea to buy something each month – I used to do that quite a lot when I lived down south – but unfortunately here there are very few (none) shopping opportunities within about an hour and half drive
(I suppose I could go online, and make a list and …..)
Karen
That’s a very thoughtful way of looking at the garden. Mine too goes quiet after the June Burst, but penstemons are great and so are the hardy fuchsias for following on. Have a look at common purple loosestrife too-that’s happy and reliable and a reasonable size.
I think the patient gardener is right-its worth going to a nursery each month to see what is at its best and choosing your favourites.
Hi Threadspider – I have grown some penstemons from seed this year and I might try some more of a different variety for next. I do actually make a list on a well known plant website – that also has room for a wish list – I shall send it to the children!
Karen
Since we recently moved to a new house, this is my first summer in my garden. I am also thinking about all of the “holes” where nothing is blooming…This fall, when the nurseries have sales, I will be out scouting good fits for the beds!
Hi Jean Ann thanks for dropping by – hope you find some real treasures in the plant sales!
Karen
Karen – such a good point & Threadspider and I were discussing precisely the same thing this afternoon. Just WHAT do you do with a garden post July? Especially when all your 2nd flush blooming clematis decide to a) get blackfly or b) get mildew or c) get clematis wilt
So buying some new Dahlias was one of my solutions. 3 of them in the slideshow are real garden newbies bought only last week (a very belated Christmas pressie, bought with garden gift vouchers)!
In another bed I’ve got Eryngium, Fuchsia, Petrovskia, Echinacea and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ all just about to burst into flower, if this weather ever deigns to get better. Hrrrrumph!
Hi VP – So sorry about your clematis ….
Buying Dahlias stikes me as a very good solution to extending the season – I might well have to follow your example.
Eryngium, and Echinacea are some of the things I have started from seeds. I adore Petrovskia – but have resisted buying it – as I thought my ground may be too wet and cold for it here in wet wales (But I am planning a gravel area behind the studio …. maybe….)
On looking at other peoples gardens here this week – I have to say there are some spectacular Hydrangeas around – so I am going to have a closer look at those too – they seem to do well here.
Karen
PS Have a nice weekend xx
Thank you VP – I did.
Karen
PPS – I just got this message when I posted my last comment:
You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.
LOL!!!!!!!!!
You are a brave girl to show the garden not in closeup. You’ll be so glad you saved the poppy seed. About three years ago, I pondered how I wanted the garden to have four seasons. I’ve about accomplished it.
Give El Desperado a try. It’s very nice. So is Desperado Love. Daylilies mixed in with other stuff are so beautiful.
Thanks for visiting my blog too.~~Dee
Hi Dee – I enjoy my visits to your blog. I did have a moments doubt about putting such a picture on my blog – it wasnt very pretty! – But we have had a few hours of sun now – and the poppy seed heads are starting to ripen – so they will be gone soon.
Thanks for the suggestions for day lilies.
Karen
That is a beautiful garden. I have a square foot garden. Is it square foot or just raised beds?
This time of year, I don’t really want to be in the veggie garden and it tends to reflect that. It gets so hot, I just turn the sprinkle on and let it fend for itself. I will start my fall garden soon and then I will get my interest back up.
I am turning my attention to a much neglected yard. The Wisteria vines are choking out the back woods and I need to get back there and cut some vines. One year I forgot to wear gloves and ended up with poison Ivy on my hands. Boy, that will teach you a lesson about wearing gloves to do your yard work.
Hi Eve – the kitchen garden is raised beds – I only have one that is divided into squares – and that is where the salad leaves are – and it is not really square foot gardening – I just wanted to make it look really pretty!
Poison ivy on your hands sounds really horrid – I dont think we have that in the UK. Thanks for visiting.
Karen
What a fabulous kitchen garden! Beautiful pictures.
Thanks for visiting Rach – and taking the time to leave a comment – much appreciated.
Karen
I’ve just put up a post about pictures from other people’s blogs which have especially stuck in my memory.
Amongst these, I’ve mentioned your one of the scarecrow wearing the clothes you were about to wear to your son’s wedding.
I can’t work out how to make links to photos on blogs in situ so I’m wondering if you would mind if I copied it onto my blog – together with a link to yours.
I’d be grateful if you would let me know.
Lucy
LOOSE AND LEAFY
Thanks Lucy – It is so lovely that you found that picture memorable – I had such fun dressing the scarecrow up. I have e-mailed you
Karen
My July flowers are Alstroemeria, Phygelius, some Geraniums, early Crocosmia, Echinops, Clematis, Aconite and Japanese Anemones.
If you can’t get to a handy nursery are there any gardens you can visit for inspiration
Hi Easygardenener – thanks for the list of your flowers – my Japanese Anemones and Echinops are still in tight bud. But I shall put your suggestions on my list of possibilities – so thanks for letting me know.
Karen