Usually I feel a little miffed after we pass midsummer. “Was that it?” I sulk “Surely not!” This year is different. This year we have a new devil-may-care, let’s-get-on-with-it, stop-your-bloomin’-moaning kinda vibe. We maybe on the path back down the mountain, but there is no need to feel sad, plenty of time yet to enjoy the bounty of our gardens. If you are not convinced, our Six on Saturday leader, The Prop, and all his acolytes will cheer your spirits. Shall we get jiggy with it?
First, we have last week’s dahlia, all grown up and in its prime. I think it might be Dahlia ‘ Bishop of York’, not because I have studied form and colour charts but because I remember that I bought it once.
Now a golden leaved spiraea growing strongly in Peggy’s garden. I am not sure I would ever chose one for my own patch, but this is looking rather lovely at the moment, seconded by the local bee population.
Next, a new kid on the block, purchased at last week’s open gardens. This blue beauty was picked out by OH. It was however labeless, a campanula of some persuasion, I’m sure one of you clever folk can tell me which. It is looking rather lovely. OH has very good taste.
Onto one of Chambercombe Bob’s hostas, which like its companions is doing very well. Bob does know that we have them. Before you start gasping, the munched leaves are out of shot.
Now Callistemon masotti which is as reliable as the number 124 bus to Cardiff, if not more so.
Well looky here, who has turned up in a pot of impatiens? None other than the infamous rampant nasturtiums of North Devon. I must say I am rather pleased. Although these two little ducks were covered in black fly, recently squashed of this parish, I rejoice in their arrival.
Next week will be July, it is crazy world that is for sure. Stay safe and well. Until next time.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I’ve had that campanula about two decades ago. It’s probably been renamed at this stage, and I feel I’d be leading you astray by identifying it for you.
I do not like hostas. It’s not just this one. Enjoy the week, a chara.
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That is OK because the hosta speaks very highly of you. 😀
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I’m revealing too much, but here goes.. I do not trust hostas! 😜
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Have you been let down badly in the past?
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Yes. 😒 But I mended slowly.
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What gorgeous pictures from your garden this week!
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Thank you ☺
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I moved a seedling yellow callistemon to a good spot in the garden some years ago as they parent plant is against the boundary fence and flowers into our neighbour’s field. I can’t see it from the garden side even though it is about four metres high as other plants have hidden it. The seed came from a friend in Tasmania!
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That sounds like a beautiful plant!
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I really like the red of the last 2 photos with this callistemon and this nasturtium flower. Mine are at about the same stage in front of the office window and I can’t wait for the first to open (but with the rain it shouldn’t be too late: watch out for slugs!)
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So far the slugs have been very unobtrusive here. Raining now and for the next few days so we will see if they turn up! Do you get blackfly on yours?
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Yes but not this year ( weird…)
Like aphids, nothing on my broad beans either. They are all in the greenhouse on climbing plants and chilies
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Just watching The Tour on the TV, is it going anywhere near you this year?
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Sadly no… about 200-300km from home. Next year, the biggest city close to me will be a start or finish spot. 20 km from my home: it will be perfect.
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Is Callistemon as reliable as the bus to Cardiff in all weathers? I covet one, but I understand they don’t like the cold. Nice of the nasturtiums to turn up like that, they’re always welcome where I am.
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This one has no winter protection at all and is in a pot. I expect you are colder than us though. If you can find a not too expensive one, I’d risk it!
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Yes definitely colder here, it could be brought into the cellar (that has a window!) but no doubt it would sulk as a result.
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I love your duck nasturtiums and, indeed, all nasturtiums in general, I just wish their seeds didn’t smell quite so strongly horrid.
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I didn’t know they smell horrid or at all really! I will have a go next time I find one. X
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There is nothing quite like reading your posts to lift the spirits. I seem to suffer from the post summer solstice blues, so now I have been told to buck up by you sis, I shall see to it, and post probably later in the day.
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Oh I am so pleased to hear it. The grim weather does not help! Look forward to reading your post later Sis x
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A lovely selection. The Callistemon masotti is a beauty and has reminded me that I need to get a new bottlebrush to clean the bird feeders with.
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😀
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I shall be humming ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ now. Thanks for the cheer us up post. I’ve inherited a couple of those spirea and while I wouldn’t plant one, neither would I get rid either. They do brighten up a gloomy shrubbery.
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Ha! And now I shall too. 🙂
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love those ducks – not something I’ve spotted in a nasturtium before so now I will have to look. I have campanulas all over my garden but they’ve all self-seeded. I hope yours does too 🙂
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Your nasturtiums do look like ducks.
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I thought my nasturtiums had all the blackfly. I haven’t grown campanula for years – very pretty.
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I love your ducks! I think the campanula could be Campanula persicifolia, the peach-leaved bellflower, I have one in my Cornish hedge. It suffered badly when first planted from the S&S, but now in its third year it seems too hold its own, even in the wind!
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Not sure about the Campanula but it’s a lovely looking thing!
I quite like Spiraeas. Such reliable little (or sometimes big) things.
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I am always relieved when summer is over! Also intrigued by your growing Callistemon? It is frowned upon here, though I love it and wish for some Nasturtiums, thanks for the photo..Are those Little Princess Spirea? I get your quandary. Cute, but not that cute.
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tee hee . . . nasturtium.
My colleague down south refers to them as Dago pansies. I don’t mind. I won’t waste useful garden space on real pansies. (Well, I might someday.)
Mine were doing SO well. Then the gophers took them out.
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I’m hoping that dahlia is ‘Bishop of York’ – it is just the sort of dahlia and the colour of dahlia I am looking for. I will research more. I recently saw a front garden of blue and white campanula mixed with achillea – ?Moonshine. It looked fabulous. I can’t believe we are now being directed to think about late summer colour, no I’m not ready for that.
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Glad that Hosta looks so well. This particular one is a bit of a nomad; it’s been to many parts of Essex(boot sales), Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and now Wales. Hope all’s well with you two.
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Blimey, very well travelled. We are fine thanks Bob, hope you both are too. x
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