Early Evening

Over the past few weeks I have been enjoying some early evening excursions up the garden. This has been primarily to set up the wildlife camera but it is also a good excuse to just enjoy the peace and tranquility of the evening. It also offers some lovely low light photographic opportunities. Mili, never a one to miss her chance, likes to accompany me and of course to do her best to get herself into shot.

Top Tip: remember to enjoy your garden at dusk; despite the midges and the desire to do a slug patrol, it is an ideal time to watch the sunset, listen to the last of the birdsong and even to take a photograph to share with your friends

Sun Terrace Update

Sharing surplus plants is one of the great benefits and pleasures of having the time and space to grow your own. Last week I was kindly offered a splendid passion flower. It has been grown from seed by my next door neighbour, who has the touch when it comes to raising plants and propagating them. She advised me that it is a white and blue flower, so I immediately thought of the little space we have in the monochrome planting on the sun terrace. Passion flowers are something I have never grown before so I will be keen to see how this one behaves. If blue predominates then it will probably be relocated, but for the time being it fits in well next to the hebe (Midnight Sky). The tall obelisk shape canes it is being trained up gives a lovely contrast in form in that particular border.

Elsewhere on the terrace the roses are now looking their best. It is a little bit of a pity that the rain, wind and hail has given them a little bit of a battering. The Alba Semi Plena (White Rose of York) is doing particularly well and my dear wife tells me that the fragrance is just divine. I will take her word for that, I am simply chuffed that this year the blackspot is quite minimal and the aphids seem to have been discouraged by the harsh meteorological conditions.

Top tip: do not stress too much about your roses. It is often just a matter of chance whether or not they avoid infestations but being vigilant can minimize any negative consequences. Simply rub off aphids when they appear and remove diseased leaves with clean secateurs.

Quite a Mystery

I must confess to being somewhat baffled by the mystery concerning my irises. In a nutshell they have changed colour since last year, they have morphed from a vibrant purple into a rather subdued pink. The photographs below show the same plant but with 12 months time lapse. If anyone can explain why this might have happened I would be very interested.

The image on the left was taken last year and on the right a few days ago!

  

Rain Does Not Stop Play

The weather might be a lot less summery than could be expected, despite the hastening approach of the longest day. But this does not stop the work that needs to be done.

The badgers are busy with their nocturnal foraging and Mili is keen to keep up with her early, misty morning patrols.

Not Exactly Wildlife in the Garden

It has bee some months since a post was dedicated to the two felines who share the garden. Both Mili and Hecate have been enjoying the nice early summer weather, at least until the winds and rain of today. Mili rather likes to help with the gardening (or getting under the feet) while Hecate is more of a sun worshipper and an inspector of works once the jobs have been finished.

Below are a few images taken towards the end of the day. Perhaps the two cats have a sense when I am about to rest for ten minutes or perhaps they are presuming that it is time to come inside for supper. Of course, I do need reminding about suppertime every night!

Hecate being rather more purposeful than usual

Mili ready to help!