Through The Garden Gate : August 2019

A vase of garden grown flowers on the table is a good sign in August. Dahlias and Sweet peas have made perfect bed fellows bringing a touch of heat into our topsy turvy summer. The last few days have seen a return to heatwaves and the garden is beginning to show the effects of late summer.

It's been a curious month in the garden. Better half has finally got round to painting the garden wall. It was scheduled for earlier in the year but then the loganberries took over and he had to wait for the fruit to finish. It was intriguing watching the play of light onto the bare walls. Just one section left to do and already a great improvement.

Produce has been patchy. A few carrots although hardly worth the effort and all the courgettes are very minuscule. We have a rather odd variety of yellow raspberries which fruit later in the summer.Sweet and delicious.

Gradually the Chinese lanterns are beginning to form. Hopefully lots by later in the year, giving a burst of autumnal colour. Japanese anemones are really struggling with the dry conditions, certainly not their best year.

 Pot grown dahlias are still flowering profusely. We have been moving them around to fill in dull areas with a spot of colour.

Not sure what this little bush is but its doing well in its pot. We inherited it from my mother in law and in the years since, the name has disappeared .

Curious seed heads from the flax plant add interest at this time of year. Not sure if I like or loathe them!

Loving the rather faded grandeur of this mophead hydrangea against the vibrant mauve of the streptocarpus. A happy combination.

 As for the foxglove, still flowering in late August. As I said before a rather topsy turvy summer. We'll be having daffodils next.

 Certainly the star at the moment are the cone flowers. The Rudbeckias  and the Echinaceas. Both recently added and looking perfect.

The top border is rather sparse at the moment although the Gaura is doing a great job of filling the space.

Of course I couldn't finish without a mention about the Trumpet Vine. Vigorously spreading in the heat. Soon we won't be able to see out of our bedroom windows.

Any stars in your garden?

As usual I join Sarah for her 'Through The Garden Gate'. Click here to see more.

Barbara xxx