14TH AUGUST 2018 - NORTH YORKSHIRE
That is the second Spring Bulb Catalogue to arrive
by post this morning – must mean the Summer is nearly over and the bedding
plants can be allowed to finally relax.
Weather here has been abnormal for last
three months - no rain and daily temperature in the high ‘twenties’. With lots
of watering and feeding, everything (true what they say on the ‘Miracle Grow’
packets – at least double the norm when it comes to blooms) has been truly
magnificent.
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| Trailing begonias dominate this basket |
The seeds planted in early spring have all flowered
– even those supposed to wait until next year. Dahlias, hollyhocks, nicotiana, geraniums, lupin, delphiniums, sweet williams, nasturtiums, petunias, cosmos, lobelia etc. etc., have all performed in the one hundred and
twenty tubs and hanging baskets and in the ground.They have been fed and watered each day. When
temperature reached mid ‘thirties’, baskets were treated twice.
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| Peachy powder puff hollyhock |
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| Dahlia - which should have been red, but never mind |
Having placed and order
for plug plants during the cold dark days of January, forgot about these and
re-ordered in March. The situation in April in the greenhouse became chaos as they
started to arrive by post immediately after Easter, before the night frosts had
departed. Lost around fifty percent due to planting out far to early. Bizzy
Lizzies, fuchsias and begonias couldn't manage the cold nights and expired. However, the mass of plants arriving soon after made up for their loss, and by mid May the
garden started to look ‘Horticulturalised’ (thought this was a most descriptive
word for ensuing chaotic planting and flowering).
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| Just another basket! |
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| Rich velvety red trailing petunia |
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| Baskets and window boxes in profusion |
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| Love this display of giant begonias |
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| Lobellia and busy lizzies enjoying a hanging basket |
The plethora of Fuchsias (purchased from the local
Morrison’s Supermarket for £1- per plant) are wonderful, every possible
variety from Tahlias to massive ‘Australian Giants’ are in full dancing
splendour. It will be time soon to take
lots of cuttings for over wintering under glass. Fuchsias, like dahlias, always
respond to lots of TLC (tender Loving Care, Lots of Feeding and regular
watering) and hopefully, will flower well into December. Many are slight frost tolerant – so
real value for money and a multi talented show which always impresses those non
gardening neighbours and city based visitors.
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| Just a couple of fuchsias |
The hoped for ‘Spires of Summer’ have actually
happened, delphiniums in multi hues of blue, purple and white, lupins in reds,
orange, cream and mauve, hollyhocks in white, peach, claret and red, Oriental
Lilies in White & cream and nicotiana (now 1.5 metres tall and ever
fragrant on a balmy evening. Should have read the seed packet properly as
thought they were dwarf variety – look a bit strange in the hanging baskets but
never mind Eh!) Have filled the two flower beds, giving height, width and lots
of continuing colour.
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| Dreaming spires |
Five troughs planted with Ivy Leaf Geraniums,
Pelargoniums (trailing geraniums really), lobellia and begonias have flourished to
such an extent that they would not look out of place on the front of a Bavarian
Chalet. Hanging baskets, fed daily, have become two metre pillars of flowers
– all due to the wonders of ‘Miracle Grow’ fertiliser (hope they see this and
send me a supply for next year?).
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| Bavarian style troughs full of geraniums and lobellia |
So a full year away from our Portuguese Idol has
been very interesting and productive, even with less heat but more water.
Leaving at the end of July last summer meant we missed the horrendous fires
visited upon many of our friends – have been delighted to see the photographs of
the recovery of their land and gardens – nature is a wonderful healer, as is human determination, and the
scars will soon fade into memory.
Well lawns and hedges to cut, must keep the Head
gardener happy or no coffee!
