GETTING NEAR THE LONGEST DAY

7TH JUNE 2019 - NORTH YORKSHIRE

Mild nights, sunny mornings with rain each afternoon - the start of a truly English Summer. Temperatures reaching 18 – 20 degrees most days so everything is growing. Lots of early summer flowers in bloom –Lupins, Iris, Roses, Petunias, Dahlias, Pansies (as always), Foxgloves, Geraniums, Begonias, Nasturtiums, Impatiens and Forget-me-nots are all visible from the Potting Shed window; and the stove has not been lit for at least two weeks. Much of the floral glory is due to two exceptionally warm weeks in mid May which stirred the summer ‘Bloomers’ into action.

Lupins and foxgloves, with iris and dicentra

Our favourite iris

Flourishing petunias

Begonias happy in a basket

pretty trailing geranium

Petunia happy in a trough with budding fuchsia and lobelia

trough with petunias and herbaceous border in the background

Another favourite - nasturtium Cherry Rose

Dianthus coming again after the winter

So much happening that the Head Gardener has been hard pressed to maintain the photographic record of the season, but, as you can see here, she is doing wonders really. Keeping a photographic record of your garden allows swift comparison with previous years and ensures a reduction in the boastful – that this year is the best ever for a particular genus. Much of the fast growing contributors have already had the ‘Chelsea Chop’ – the ritual cutting back by one or two thirds of the seasons new growth at the time of the ‘Chelsea Flower Show’. This ensures enhanced bush growth and lots of July flowers, and stops the ‘Bean Poling’ of many of our summer favourites.

The Climbing Roses are a full bloom – fortunately they are all repeat flowering until October if deadheaded daily, fed and watered weekly (remember Roses must have water all summer if you want a good ‘Show’). The Bush roses – always pruned harder than the Climbers to keep their shape and height constant – are well in bud a looking rather well ordered – hoping for great things as this is their third year since planting.

Climbing Arthur Bell

Gertude Jekyll

Golden Showers

Bantry Bay

Made a few changes this year to the Tub, Trough and Hanging Basket planting schemes. Managed to persuade some of the tubs and troughs to weather the winter – mainly Evergreens, Ivies and Heartsease endured the cold a frosty months. Having taken all the Geraniums into the Green House before the first October frost and cut them back 100mm tall, have been delighted with over winter progress (hence the early flowering Geraniums in the Garden by first week in May). The Hanging Baskets have been refreshed with new compost and a selection of seasonal plants and are growing well.

Lots of baskets and pots of summer bedding

A gathering of pots and a basket

We love our baskets

Wall basket with heartsease

Of course, climbers are doing well too with several clematis montana in flower and the large flowered ones also starting to bloom.  Also have a very pretty pale blue abutilon - a present, grown from a cutting, from a very dear friend. Not to mention the rampant Golden Hop!

This was the only plant in the garden when we arrived - clematis name unknown

Clematis Montana

White Montana

Such a pretty abutilon

Galloping Golden Hop

Having promised never to grow anything edible ever again, must admit that four Tomato plants  have insinuated their way into Cold Frame and are actually coming into flower (even had to buy some ‘Tomorite’ tomato feed) – now if they go Red the blame will be placed at the door of ‘Climate Change’.

The task of keeping Lawns short and Hedges well shaped is causing the usual ‘aches and pains’ of this old Gardener’s body – never mind it is yet another ‘Bonus’ year so should not complain. When the sun shines, the flowers are in their ‘Glory’ of colour and perfume all the aggravation disappears as if by magic.

Talking of ‘Magic’, here comes the HG with Coffee and Scones to ensure the energy levels are maintained for the coming months of gardening pleasure.

Must dash

 lots to do

 see you soon

Stuart