Digitalis, Iris sibirica, Papaver orientalis, with yellow marjoram and Nepeta edging, in the shadier border near the Barn.
Summer has come to Neats Home Garden. Although the days are sometimes still cool, there's enough light in the sky and warmth in the soil to encourage growth and flowering. So the Weigelas are out in full flower, as are the Verbascums, Foxgloves, Geraniums, Poppies, and Alliums. This past week the roses, both wild and cultivated, have also bloomed, while the Penstemons are beginning to unfurl their tight purple buds in preparation for mid-summer flowering.
Digitalis and Physocarpus opulifolius in the side garden. Note the rosemary growing out of cracks in the wall.
My work in the garden has been somewhat curtailed by my pregnancy - it's difficult to weed for long periods when you're carrying a heavy belly! So I took a pragmatic approach to the re-design of the long border - previously home to a massive Eucalyptus and many shrubs, sited along a long brick wall, in full sun. I've realised some of the re-design: I managed to plant all the Lupins, Verbascums, Foxgloves and Delphiniums which I'd grown from seed. But the roses, clematis and jasmine, as well as many other plants, will be planted this autumn.
Mix of Lupin 'Morello Cherry' and 'Band of Nobles' in front of the old alter piece in the long wall.
Meanwhile, the Kitchen Garden is in full throttle. Broad beans, peas, lettuce and chard are all being harvested, as are parsley, chives and sorrel. Autumn-sown sweetpeas are flowering and perfuming the house with a light lemon-rose scent. Raspberries are forming on canes, under the fruit cage, but we have, alas, once again lost most of our gooseberries, since they stand in open ground, unprotected from the rapacious pigeons. Next year I aim to have them all under net, and we will hopefully harvest a decent crop.
Pyracantha in flower - amazingly attractive, despite the prickles.
Poppies, sown direct from scattered seed, in front of the old potting shed.
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