Another week, another weather related drama. Plants in the garden are beginning to droop a little, a couple are definitely on the frazzled side. I put this down to the dense planting, which means any meagre rain or mizzle that has fallen in the last week or two has been unable to reach soil level. This blanket vegetation has conserved moisture for a long time, now the cracks are beginning to show, quite literally in our clay soil. If you wish to find out more about Six on Saturday, and possibly join in, check out the man who has his finger on the pulse Jim at Garden Ruminations. Off we go.
The bronze fennel was humming today. All good. The bronze fennel is growing in the same pot as the peach tree. Not so good. I am kidding myself that it is protecting the fruit, two of which are still hanging on. I am promising myself that this intrusion will be sorted very soon.
A self-seeded cosmos is showing how it’s done. No gardener intervention. Except for me saying “watch out for the cosmos at the edge of the border” to the lawn man, AKA OH.
This is Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri and I grew it from seed. Anyone who know dahlias knows this feat doesn’t deserve a round of applause.
Gertie is having another go. Fair play.
A couple of years ago I visiting West Penwith and we walked The Prom from Penzance to Newlyn. In one of the tiny courtyard gardens was the most incredible purple dahlia. I’m not sure what it’s name was, but this, the first flower of my plant, has salved the itch that I have had ever since. Dahlia ‘Thomas Edison, I salute you.
Ludmilla’s Pink Heart and Austin’s Red Pear. There is room for everyone here.
All done, see you next time.
Off The Edge Gardening 
The pink trim to the self-seeded Cosmos is wonderful, all hail to the self-seeders!
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I agree Rosie, I must try to collect seed from this one, it is my favourite so far.
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How did the bronze fennel ‘get’ there? Wait, does it self sow?!, and if so, it is true to type? I inherited one. I still am not so keen on it, but am trying.
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Yes it is a prolific self seeder and true to type. Keep trying, I am sure you will be convinced in the end.
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I am not so keen on that foliar color, especially since common fennel is so vibrant green. I can not bear to get rid of it, though, so will eventually get to appreciate it. That is interesting that it it true to type, as if it is a natural variation, rather than an aberrative cultivar.
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You get a round of applause from me for the dahlia anyway, as I seem to be incapable of nurturing anything from seed to plant so you have my admiration!
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Love the difference in your tomatoes! Also love your cosmos seedling, definitely a keeper!
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Yum, re: the Tomatoes! We are harvesting ours here, too, and enjoying as many BLTs as possible. 😉 That pink-edged Cosmos is beautiful, as are your other featured plants. Happy Six!
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Thanks Beth, they are delicious too which unfortunately I can’t share on the blog. 😀
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It does feel quite clever and amazing growing dahlias from seeds, getting flowers and nice fat tubers in less than a year. That is a fabulous cosmos, does it look like its mother?
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I think I had some similar last year, whether the seed was in the compost or on the ground, I’m not sure. And I agree, growing dahlia from seed is great for beginners and those who crave instant gratification. Hands up!
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That self-seeded cosmos is certainly showing how it’s done – it’s a beauty. Mine have never shown any initiative and seeded themselves.
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Fingers crossed it will get the hint!
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You must have been watering to get such growth! I found a tiny seedling of bronze fennel in amongst other plants and moved it, I shall pray that one day it looks like yours. I took all the pictures, but I just haven’t had time to post. So much will be completely frazzled in the garden, by next Saturday, I shall just carry over what I meant to write till next time.
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I think that is a good idea, no rain on the horizon here either. Ludmilla has only produced 6 fruit, but I suppose the size makes up for the quantity. This one weighs 608g! I didn’t weigh the other one 😀
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That is a very pretty cosmos.
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What a delightful six selection. I particulary like the self-seed Cosmos.
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Thank you, it is a lovely colour, hopefully it will flower well and give me lots of seed.
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All hail the “bedding” dahlias. Especially the Bishop and all his children.
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I’m with you there!
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That is a lovely dahlia. My teeny weeny Mignon dahlias are trying to flower now, until something comes along and takes a bite. Have you grown ‘Tresco Purple’? That is a lovely colour too. I think I am going to try and remove my bronze fennel. It has grown so big that the rest of the plants in the border are struggling. Getting it out though might be a challenge too far.
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