More Challenges

The break in the summer weather has presented Northern gardeners with some new and old challenges. The grass has started to grow again but bald patches and badger damage now need attention.

The upper most part of the garden has seen plants with new shoots munched by the deer and the borders excavated by other hungry wildlife.

Lobelia Cardinalis ravaged by deer

Excavations in the border

The rains and wind have taken their toll on some of the plants. Anything lacking in adequate protection or staking has been vulnerable. Each year I regret not staking just a little more robustly and some flowers will inevitably fall victim to the elements.

However, a top tip do not be in a hurry to discard the fallen. It is possible to rescue some of the flowers and use them like you would any cut flowers. the gladiolus below was brought inside last week, with the addition of a little fern and verbena bonarensis it makes a passable arrangement that lasted days and days.