Resilience in the garden (part one)

 It has been another hot summer (for the UK), with very little rain.  I have again been surprised by the resilience of some plants, so here's the ones that have done well, with either no or very little extra water. 

I know that cyclamen hederifolium are late summer/autumn flowering anyway, but they are very reliable plants.

The japanese anemones have done well, also late summer flowering plants.  Above from left, going clockwise are Pretty Lady Susan, Ruffled Swan, Bressingham Glow and Pretty Lady Maria.  Bressingham Glow has been flowering since July.

(Photo collages created with https://www.photojoiner.com/ )

Salvias have also done well.  Three of these are in pots and the Salvia Amistad (top left) came through the winter. Hot Lips (top right) is ubiquitous, but rightly so. I bought it for the allotment, but am thinking I may keep it! The white one (bottom right) is one I bought about a month ago.  Peach Sorbet (bottom left) is planted in the border and has coped pretty well in a very dry border. 

Helianthus Lemon Queen is a reliable, tough plant but can be a bit of a thug, although it hasn't been in this garden.  It is very happy now that the big rose bush has gone and is looking good.

Finally for this post is a Hibiscus. This is planted in the sunniest (and driest) part of the garden and has been flowering for over a month now. It hasn't had any extra water. This particular plant is the triple one, bu I have only seen two different varieties this year - a pink and this white/pink one. The flowers look so delicate and exotic but it is a tough shrub.  More good value, reliable and resilient plants in my next post. 

End of July in the Garden

The garden is slowly changing as the summer progresses.  Above is the phlox in a pot in the back garden, which has benefited from being divided as it is flowering the best I have ever seen it.

This ipomea or morning glory was given to me by my friend, Alison.  We were both saying that there were no flowers, but then I saw this! The flower only lasts for a day but it is stunning while it is there. 

I also divided the agapanthus Navy Blue, again in a pot.  I wasn't expecting it to flower but each division has give me two flowers, and I do enjoy that lovely blue.

They are very exotic looking flowers.

Speaking of exotic looking, here is one of my favourites, which always gets a mention, Hibiscus Syriacus Oiseau Bleu (Blue Bird).  My tricolour flowered hibiscus is in bud but not in flower yet.  

Finally, here is Anemone Bressingham Glow, always the first japanese anemone to flower in the garden.  I hope it will continue to flower into early autumn. It is much hotter and sunnier here at the moment and we are due a hot week to come (well, hot for the UK).  I don't really like the heat and am much happier with about 21 degrees centigrade and a nice breeze!  

Beeing busy in the garden

I just happened to have my camera to hand when I spotted this very busy bee on the japanese anemone Bressingham Glow.

This isn't unusual as the bees have been loving this plant.  However, I also managed to capture a bee in flight in this photo which I was very excited about - actions shots don't always work for me!

We are enjoying some late summer sun and temperatures to match this week.  I have quite enjoyed the cooler temperatures during July and August but I know that a lot of people will be pleased to see the late summer returning.  My three coloured hibiscus is flowering away although you can only see the pink and cream flowers in this photo.  You'll have to take my word for it, there were also blue/purple flowers!

Aster Mrs S T Wright.  Yes, I know that it should be Symphyotrichum novae angliae Mrs S T Wright, but that name doesn't trip off the tongue, does it?  However, the plant itself is a good reliable flowerer and has mildew resistance.  Apparently it was developed pre 1907.

Perennial sunflower - Helianthus Lemon Queen.  It can be invasive but I love it anyway.  It hasn't been to bad in my garden, probably because it doesn't actually have that much space!

Finally for now, a little delicate japanese anemone which I thought I had lost.  Anemone hupehensis Pretty Lady Maria. 

It is indeed very pretty.

The garden in mid August

 I have been enjoying the changes in the garden recently.  The first flush of roses are over and other things are having their moment to shine.

I was late to the Salvia Amistad party but can now understand what all the fuss was about.  These plants have been wonderful and show no signs of running out of steam.  The bees love them too.

Reliable japanese anemone Bressingham Glow is putting on a good show and will keep going into Autumn.

Agapanthus Navy Blue is flowering the best it has for some years.  I think it will need dividing next year.

It is a fabulous colour.

The patio apple is fruiting up - I should get about ten apples this year. 

Hibiscus Syriacus Oiseau Bleu is in flower and always manages to look so exotic but is a tough shrub.

Phlox paniculata Bright Eyes (I think) is planted in a poor spot but seems to come back and flower each year.

Another Phlox (unsure of the name) is flowering in a pot but has been a bit battered by the rain through July.

Clematis Blue Angel (also in a pot) has done better than expected.

At the front of the house, I have had more plants to enjoy. These include a cosmos and some nicotiana, nemesia Confetti, another Salvia Amistad, a dwarf Mexican Orange Blossom and a Hydrangea Magical Revolution Pink.  This combination makes me happy.

More resilience in the garden I forgot about...

In my round up off plants which have survived well during the summer, I totally forgot to mention these.  They are Japanese anemone Bressingham Glow and just behind you can see the lovely variegated jasmine, Jasminium officinale Argentovariegatum/Variegatum. This plant rarely gets a mention but has been a stalwart of the border for many years and flowered beautifully this year.

These plants got no extra water at all and are in a sunny, south facing, dry raised border.

A very colourful combination to enjoy!
 

More late summer blooms

There is a feeling of autumn just round the corner and the garden is responding.  Above is Japanese Anemone Bressingham Glow, which has proved to be really reliable over the years.

Clematis Heracleifolia New Love is also flowering nicely - it has a pleasant fragrance a bit like soap.

Hydrangea Paniculata Sundae Fraise is colouring up well - it reminds me of coconut ice.

This is a tri-coloured hibiscus - so far, just the pink is flowering.

Phlox is bringing a splash of colour to the bottom of the garden.  This one is planted in some not brilliant soil, but somehow manages to flower every year.

Another phlox, in a pot this time.

My favourite hibiscus, Oiseau Bleu, which features on here every year.  Such an exotic-looking flower. 

Finally for now, a Buddleia 'Wisteria Lane' which has long hanging flowers.  This is a couple of years old and has been planted in a big pot this year.  It has responded with some beautiful flowers.  The crocosmia Emily McKenzie is just starting to flower, so that will bring a punch of orange to the rather pastel proceedings.

Late summer into Autumn in the garden

There is a definite change in the air now.  Apart from the unusually hot days this week, the overall feeling has been cooling.  There is still lots to enjoy in the garden, but watering has to be done before 7.30 pm as it starts to get too dark to see by then.  Above is Penstemon Garnet which is in a pot and has come through quite a few winters.

Clematis Alpina Rosy Pagoda still brings interest with the fluffy seedheads.

They are so tactile.

Rose Shakespeare 2000, which took a while to decide to flower but kept on going once it was.

Crocosmis Emily Mackenzie bringing some scorching hot orange to the mix.

Geranium sanguineum striatum leaves starting to colour up.

Hydrangea Sundae Fraise (I think).

This was my newest Hydrangea (paniculata Little Spooky)  a few weeks ago...

...here it is now, looking gorgeous!

Creamy lime green flowers.

Good old Liriope Muscari which gets completely neglected but which flowers through the autumn.

Rose Olivia Rose Austin (who has featured many times since she was purchased), giving us another flush of roses to enjoy.

Dwarf cosmos adding fuchsia pink to the pastels.

Asters starting to come into flower. 

Clematis New Love in the border. It has a pleasant fragrance which reminds me a bit of soap.

Anemone Bressingham Glow which has been in flower for weeks and is a joy to see.