Welsh Ann’s husband, English Will, says that gardeners are never satisfied, it is either too hot, too wet, too cold or too dry. It is hard to argue the fact. And, just to prove him right, in my small horti way, I am going to complain about the weather. This week has been too hot by far, for gardening anyway. Code S (for scorchio) was declared and emergency measures were put in place. Amongst other, highly confidential criteria, the ridiculous but effective foppy hat and OH’s voluminous shirt (generously donated) were brought into action. Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence, you will have to take it on faith. Of course, across the SoSing world there will be more tales of heat, rain, frost and drought, maybe some pest and disease to ramp it up a little. Perhaps there will also be fine flowers, fruit and veg and beautiful borders. Pop across to our mentor and cat herder Jim to find out more. Shall we shake a leg, there is watering to be done.
First we have the glorious bloom of Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’. Last autumn I dug up and stored only two of my dahlia, my most precious, this one and Peggy. Tragically, both rotted whilst the rest, left to languish in the garden with just a blanket of mulch, have thrived. Welsh John gave me a replacement. Yet again the kindness of gardeners prevails.
Next, we have tomato ‘Sunbaby’, a gift from Welsh Ann. It is growing outside against a south facing wall and has to date been prolific, delicious and beautiful. What more could you ask of a tomato or indeed anyone?
Now we are on slightly dodgy ground. This is Gladiolus colvillei ‘Galaxian’, new to me this year. The problem is, I am not sure I like it very much, the white isn’t pure enough, the pink not rich enough. Maybe I will soften to the charms of this gladi, the jury is out.
Echeveria lilicina has not complained about our, probably pathetic in the scheme of things, heatwave. In fact it has been basking. A gift from Torrington Tina, I have many sponsors, all are terrific.
Now a chance for a mini-moan about the taxonomists, those in charge of names and changes. This is Isoplexis canariensis ‘Bella’ or perhaps Digitalis isabelliana ‘Bella’, take your pick. I failed with one of these Bellas a couple of years ago, then found another on a rack of plants outside a pet shop in Llantwit Major. It survived the winter in the greenhouse and, now planted out, has bloomed. Result.
Finally, the slightly late on parade, Rosa ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ who is beyond reproach. Almost. Perhaps for the blackspot. Fallibility is so attractive.
Off The Edge Gardening 
You know, I think that I would complain about the weather also if I needed to contend with it. I mean, the weather everywhere that is not here can be harsh. When someone says that their weather is scorchio, I believe it! I know that the ‘temperature’ can get pretty high here, but I also know that the humidity is horrid in most other places. Anyway, I would not complain about ‘Galaxian’ gladiolus, even though the white is not perfectly white, and I do like white. It still looks yummy, like raspberries and vanilla ice cream. That Echeveria lilacina looks more like Echeveria elegans, Mexican snowball. Absolutely Fabulous! (tee hee) Edina and Patsy!
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Of course I wouldn’t buy a rose just because of its name (of course I would!). Back to warm rain and mist today.
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Seriously?! You bought that rose because of . . . oh, nevermind. It is pretty regardless.
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🤣
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I must look up ‘Sunbaby’ – it sounds perfect. I must take issue with English Will’s gardeners observation. If the weather would just play ball and be neither too hot, too cold, too wet nor too dry, gently raining only at night so as not to flatten things, we gardeners would be perfectly content – well, content-ish!
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Ha! I’m with you on that one. Today was too wet.
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Lovely rose, the colour is beautiful.
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Thank you Rosie, it is a lovely yellow.
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I wonder if there is a perfect temperature to keep us gardeners happy. Take pity on some of us north of the border. I left the house just before lunchtime today – it was 15C and it’s 15C now as I write. At least the promised rain stayed away…almost. I grow ‘Sungold’ tomatoes and wonder if ‘Sunbaby’ is similar, if so, I know you’ll enjoy feasting on them. ‘Bella’ is beautiful, whatever the rest of the name is – I’m glad you found a replacement.
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It seems Scotland has had a lot of rain these past few months. Just checked our water butts and the cupboard is bare, it seems that at home we didn’t has as much rain as we did where I was working. Now I just have to get Bella through next winter, do I dig her up or mulch and fleece her? Tricky!
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I’m having the same thoughts about other plants. Dig up and store, or mulch & hope for the best. A bit of both will probably be the answer.
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Wondrous cast of characters this week. I am watching a tropical storm go by..not gardening weather at all! I like the glad.
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Gosh, I hope you garden suffer too badly!
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You are right that the weather has been too scorchio this last week and I commiserate with those that have to work out in it in a foppy hat. You will still have looked very fetching.
A lovely selection of plants again and I’m so very pleased that lilicina is still thriving with you.
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It was tough, but today we are back to mizzle, drizzle and rain!
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Bella is bellissima! And I think you are terribly mean not producing a photo of the floppy hat. Come to think of it I have a floppy hat too, but it takes more than a Cornish heatwave (no we didn’t reach the magic 30 degrees) for me to wear it in company.
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It has to be hot enough not to care!
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Lovely! x
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