Flaming June, I am sure I will not be the only one to point out the irony. Apparently this weekend will be an improvement, but whilst the rest of the country basks in righteous sunshine, I believe, after a short interval, more rain is to come next week. Of course this is not Saturday, but Friday and it is not the best. The “showers moving east” have morphed into “torrential rain lingering overhead and not shifting for the whole day even though the gusting wind should have blown it away”. Perhaps the wind is just keeping it in place. I was valliant and dashed outside to take a few photos as I was AWOL last week and two absences could easily become a habit. I am irresistably drawn to the lazy habit. Know the enemy. Someone who is busy preparing for his open garden is our leader Jim at Garden Ruminations, take a look at his blog for beautiful plants and wonderful SoSers. Let’s get on.
Gertie is doing well, as usual. Is she my favourite? I wouldn’t like to say.
This year I am growing four tomato plants outside and four in the greenhouse. You may be surprised to know that I actually considered long and hard which varieties would thrive more readily in each situation. This is ‘Cosmonaut’, a Ukrainian variety. Seems to be doing quite well in the wild. I gave a plant to Artem, a Ukrainian chap who works at Maesteg sometimes, he seemed quite pleased.
I have given into temptation again and this new to me Abutilon ‘Souvenir de Bonn’ also seems to be enjoying the wet weather. Is it just me who is miserable?
Lilium ‘Claude Shride’ has fought the dreaded beetle, OH’s pet teasels (grrr) and now the horrendous weather. Bent over the pond inelegantly, it is still beautiful.
Poor old Rosa ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ has felt the full brunt of the recent craziness. I’m sure she is big enough and old enough to recover from the fast spin in the washing machine.
Gloriosa speciosa, the flame lily, was brought on a whim. Quite happy and adding a little glamour amongst the greenhouse tomatoes, I’m not disappointed by my recklessness. Perhaps I shouldn’t be encouraged into further whimsy.
That is it for today. I plan on enjoying the gap in the weather and try to tame some of the madness in my garden. Happy gardening!
Off The Edge Gardening 
You got some good ones this week. ‘Rhapsody In Blue’ strikes me as a difficult one to grow. Like all those blue or light purple types, it seems to lack vigor. Have you made the same observation?
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Thanks Tony, this one is strong enough but as it is quite tall has been at the mercy of the weather.
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I was discombobulated by the weather too this week. I’m a sucker for some varigated foliage, so I like your Abutilon ‘Souvenir de Bonn’ – the RHS says it’s hardiness is H2 – do you have to bring it inside during the winter? I’m sort of at my limit for winter shelter at the moment.
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I’m definately at my limit too, but I will squeeze it in somewhere!
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Gertrude is looking really good, as is your lily. The rain has been a problem this week but hopefully we will have a rest for a couple of days.
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