Voice in Head, Angel Division: You really should ensure everything is well staked in the garden this year, traditionally you are rather lax in this department.
Voice in Head, Devil Division: But they look so ugly and intrusive for such a long time and to be honest I can’t be bothered.
A few weeks pass.
Voice in Head, Angel Division: Everything is growing well, you don’t want to miss your staking chance. You will live to regret your laziness.
Voice in Head, Devil Division: Stop nagging, the borders are so densely packed the plants will hold each other up.
Summer storm.
Voice in Head, Angel Division: I told you so. I’m sure that Jim and the other SoSers won’t have been so remiss.
Voice in Head, Devil Division: You are getting on my nerves now, Ms Smarty-pants! Will it make you feel better if I confess?
Voice in Head, Angel Division: Probably the best idea.
Oh dear, this cosmos, just coming into full flower, was snapped at the base and beyond saving, a sorry sight. My head hangs in shame. And such a pretty colour.
Although tragic, the loss of the cosmos was celebrated by those behind, who could do with a little more wriggle room. The ethereal Salvia patens should never have its light quashed under a bushel, or indeed behind a cosmos.
A couple of weeks ago I accused a particularly fine purple gladioli of elbowing out the others. I was wrong, a perfectly pure white flower (one for Tony) appeared. Again, I was wrong to leave it unsupported, vulnerable to the elements. Not sure that those two wrongs make a right. History would agree.
If it wasn’t for the other casualties in the garden, one might be forgiven for thinking the teasel damage was sabotage. The bee isn’t bothered by the prostrate angle of it’s dinner, which made it impossible for me to cut off this part of the plant. Darned conscience!
The eryngium has tumbled into the Rudbeckia fulgida, which is not altogether a bad thing, aesthetically anyway. The rudbeckia, like much in the Bed of Anarchy, is in need of a firm hand. I promise this will be done in the autumn, but I wouldn’t trust my word.
Not all succumbed to my neglect. A low centre of gravity and a sturdy base helps to weather most storms, which is exactly what Dahlia ‘Labyrinth’ has done. A flower after my own heart.
Voice in Head, Devil Division: Happy now?!
Voice in Head, Angel Division: Now about that rudbeckia ……
Off The Edge Gardening 
Storm? Must have gone around me! Or was it the result of a severe bout of “post-curry” (as we say with our ingrained Welsh sensitivity)? Be careful that more plants don’t suffer from post partum-consequentials tomorrow.
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Torrential rain and very windy here!
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If we’re honest we probably all have the same two voices nagging at us, and I’m sure if we’re really honest we all end up with the same regrets. I’ve enjoyed the way you’ve articulated it, though I think that time can be the real enemy. Lovely D. ‘Labyrinth’. I have the same one and another called ‘Labyrinth Two Tone’ neither of which seem to be inclined to produce any buds. I’m sure you’ll get around to that pretty rudbeckia. Let’s hope for some decent autumn gardening weather!
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I shall have to look up Labyrinth Two Tone, sounds interesting! I think the weather is going to get warm again tomorrow, not sure for how long though.
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I hardly staked anything this year either. My gladioli drooped without a storm! But the high winds knocked over several pots of taller plants.
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I am in good company then!
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I think the Eryngium-Rudbeckia was always meant to be. Looks great. I always end up trying to move my metal plant supports as they ruin my flower photos!
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The Rudbeckia looks lovely with the Eryngium tumbling into it, some things are made for each other. I think we might all be a bit lax about staking, you’re in good company!
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I am also guilty of this fault. I find it easy to think that I will do “that” later. Then, I look for the “sunny side” to make restitution.
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Laughing with you. This made me think of my mother, a compulsive staker – she would never stake a cosmo!
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Oooooo, I like that Dahlia. A lot. Not sure I’ll get away with digging up any more lawn to make the Dahlia bed larger though.
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OH! That poor gladiola! (But is it normal for gladiolus to bloom this late?)
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We are having strange winds, some hot and dry, your blooms are looking so fresh, and the Dahlia Labyrinth has some beautiful peachy tones.
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Ha ha ha, we all have good intentions to stake, you’re not alone. That Dahlia is a real looker!
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