Plant of the Month for August

More grey skies but this does not deter us from our outdoor activities. However, it does not allow the garden to be shown off at its best. Even the heather beds are a bit more drab than usual.


Hecate and Mili are obsessing about all and any little, insect, amphibian, bird or mammal. Naturally the pond is a prime observation point.

On the other hand I am enjoying the grasses in their summer glory and my plant of the month is the Bunny Tail grass (right) just ahead of the pony tail grass (left).

It is the tactile nature of these grasses that I find so appealing. My planting allows for them to be easily touched as you ascend the path towards the blackberries and the composting area.

Scents and Smells

I must be a rare exception amongst gardeners in that there are very few garden scents that I find to be particularly interesting. While the animal kingdom and most people who enjoy their gardens find scents really important, I honestly do not. I am probably missing a great deal but it does somewhat simplify my choice of planting scheme.

However, there are some exceptions. The aromas in the conservatory/ green house are often quite intoxicating. The tomatoes are always pleasant and the herbs, especially the basil, something very special. It probably says something about my epicurean delight in eating. I grow the sweet basil, which has a stronger smell than the Thai. Apparently, the Greek name for basil means “king”, which shows how highly it has been regarded throughout the ages. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a sun-loving annual with highly aromatic leaves that has been described as being a pleasant spicy odor and taste somewhat like anise or cloves.




The tomatoes paired with torn basil leaves are the key ingredients to our bruschetta, providing you have a little olive oil, feta and tasty bread as well. Mmmmm!

Grey Pennine Skies

Summer in the Pennines can be a bit hit and miss to say the least. Whilst grey leaden skies can have a certain attraction the heavy rain, or light showers or even light mizzle that they bring, can be challenging.  Neither the garden nor the two cats particularly enjoy the damp and lack of sunshine hours. I am sure the number of proper summer days is diminishing, year after year.

 However, after a downpour if the sun immediately comes out then a whole additional sparkle can be seen in the vegetation. Quite delightful!

August Delights

August starts presenting new delights in the garden. The crocosmia must be the perfect plant for the Pennine garden, in so far as it is unbelievably straight forward to grow. It is also quite easy to lift and divide and can provide a splash of vibrant colour wherever it might be needed. In the picture you can see the complimentary planting of the crimson crocosmia alongside the purple buddleja. This too is a plant that seems to be able to find a happy home virtually anywhere and is also impossibly easy to grow.

The buddleja as seen from higher up now forms a backdrop for the cottage garden bed. This itself is now looking healthily flush with plenty of new flowers and vegetables.

Finally, the ornamental grasses are also looking at their best. I like the splashes of colour that are dotted throughout but in equal part I just revel in the tactile nature of many of the grasses with their delicate soft seed heads. Clearly, a black and white furball feels just the same way.

Harvest

 Some gardeners are gifted when it comes to growing fruit and veg. I am not. But this does not mean that I find it any less exciting, in fact, exactly the opposite. There is a genuine thrill to see something grown from seed or tuber develop into a piece of food that is actually edible. I suppose it is that tiny miracle of watching and tending while producing something that is fit for the table that I find fascinating and frustrating in equal measure.

The first of the crops harvested this year are some small salad potatoes (jazzy). The yield was somewhat disappointing but the taste was not. The first onions have been lifted but they are undoubtedly misshapen. The condition is called bull neck and I will need to modify my feeding regime for next year. The tomatoes in the conservatory are also beginning to ripen. This year they are "money maker" and the few that have now been eaten are pleasant but not exactly delicious.

However, none of these will dampen my optimism as there are still the peppers and chilli peppers yet to try in the coming months.

Sadly my biggest disappointment by a country mile is the lack of any sign of flowering on the blackberry bush. Having planted it last year and now having waited for 2 years I was really hoping to see some sign of something to harvest. The crumble might have to be from "Tesco" fruit yet again!