My garden in mid-July

News from the gardening front. Well, “front” probably conjures the wrong metaphor, as there isn’t much to do in the garden in mid-July, apart from deadheading (and mowing the lawn, but we still don’t have a working lawn-mower…). I just want to share some pictures of tiny miracles. As usual, click on the pictures to see them in a bigger size.

Here are the first Anemones de Caen which I did not believe would flower :

Here are the beautiful Alpine Dianthus Starburst and Lewisia cotyledon (I wish I had bought more of these alpine little jewels) :

Here are, finally, the lazy Alliums caeruleum :

The Potentilla wedding dress train :

Now, something I had not dared to hope : this weak lupin plant which was already showing signs of mildew or illness on the M&S shelf where I found it a few months ago, which couldn’t produce leaves strong enough to stay upright and was almost thrown in the bin… is trying to produce a flower !

If you compare this plant to the other yellow white lupin, which I planted at a much later date, you can see how weak it is – it is clearly struggling.

Yet it is trying to do its job, with a determination I find inspiring. It wants to overcome snails, slugs, fungi. It wants to be part of the summer glory, and project in the air the colourful spike which may bear its survival. I am glad I did not listen to my usual impatience and kept it.

I took the risk of upsetting my husband and gave the Japanese Spiraea a trim.

It is not yet the promised Tory-style cut which will happen in the Autumn, but it allows a bit of light to reach other plants on the side and behind it. This bed is the sunniest spot in our North-facing garden and I don’t see why only one plant should get all the benefit of it. As my son keeps saying (when lurking around at my piece of cake after having gobbled his) : “Il faut partager !”.

I said somewhere that my sowing hadn’t been very successful. I haven’t got any Love-in-the-mist. But the Nemophila Five Spot which have grown here and there in a disorganised and rather unaesthetic manner have actually flowered, and yes, the flowers are still worth it. I especially like the fine bluish veins on their white petals.

And, talking about annual seeds, my joy at the moment is with the Cosmos. They haven’t flowered yet. But by Jove, they are beautiful.

They fill the space whilst staying airy and feathery, achieving the desirable combination of volume and lightness. Cosmos come from Mexico. And yes, when I look at them, they conjure a sensation of white heat and dangerous sun and mineral lanscape. I can’t wait for them to show their flowers – memories of a celebration of friendship in Naruto (cute Sakura !).

Finally, the hostas are going to flower !

I hadn’t even realised these plants could produce interesting flowers, as they are grown for their gorgeous leaves. How a garden is full of little surprises ! Yes, it feels like a continual birthday, a present for each week.

Now, the thing is, my daughter is going to be baptised on Sunday. We are Catholics and this is obviously a very, very important event for us. Family and friends are coming. So please :

– Mrs Poppy and Mr Hollyhock,

– Liatris spicata,

– Auntie Shelagh’s rose,

– Forest of blue cornflowers,

HURRY UP AND FLOWER !!!

P.S. : there was one red strawberry which had escaped the birds. Little one and I went to the garden, duly covered in sun cream, ready for the mystical encounter with our first ever home grown fruit. Just as we arrived, flap flap flap flap, the thieves flew off with the Precious. I will get my revenge.