All change. The rain has arrived and optimism is rife, it might even be classed as mild hysteria. In our house, anyway. We, and I am talking of the horti “we”, are not so naive as to believe it is enough. Or indeed that everything is ticketedyboo and balanced. We must take positives when they emerge from the gloom. This week, although holding onto August by our fingertips and therefore still officially summer, has had the scent of temporal change. With it my attitude has flipped from this season to next. Which is one of the forgotten joys of being a gardener. There is always next year. No need to wonder what it will bring. It is bound to be wonderful. Which is the reason I have ordered unnecessary bulbs and been both pondering replacements for the deceased and remedial care those teetering between worlds. My step is a little springier, my mood a little lighter. Pop over to our mentor Jim at Garden Ruminations and you can share in the woes and joys of Six on Saturday’s across the world.
Nemesia, why hasn’t it been canonized? Uncomplaining, sometimes perennial, beautiful. I can’t think of a single sin, definitely saintly material.
The Colquhounia coccinea has wilted, been watered when no one was looking, perked up, wilted, watered again when no one was looking and now is flowering better than it has all season. Its pathetic swoons have paid off.
Hedychium ‘Tara Seedling’ has just begun flowering. Lots more to come and in spite of the drought (what drought?) it seems taller than ever. Perhaps, because of the drought (wd?), everything else is smaller.
A new member, and one of the chosen, is Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’. Not “in your face, crazy” but lovely in it’s own right. And I haven’t even seen the flowers yet. If you are listening, I’ve got a cutting ready for you Welsh John.
The dahlias are usually stalwarts in this garden. Not this year, these Mexicans have struggled. I am hoping for a late showing and this is the first flower on Veronne’s Obsidian.
Rodgeria ‘Heavenly Gill’ has been a crispy mess for a few weeks. My heart skipped a beat when I saw this shiny new leaf emerging from the cracked clay. The only way is up, baby.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Hello Gill, my Rodgersia turned crispy from the drought too, but I see new growth reappearing now that the rain is back!! It’s always interesting.
I see you have your Hedychium ‘Tara’ in bloom like Jim. Well done!
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It is so heartwarming to see the plants rallying, isn’t it?!
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Our moods are in sync Sis. When having a private tour by James Cross at the Bishop’s Palace I now remember his saying that in the heat all their Dahlias have made good growth but very few flowers. Hope all the Dahlias now get on and show their stuff. Picture of the raindrops on the Cercis says it all!
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I like the sound of a private Bishop Palace tour. I’m hopeful that the dahlia will get going now. Hope the rain has blessed you too.
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I find myself feeling much the same as you this week. The cooler wetter weather has brought renwed fondness for the garden. It’s my first year growing Dahlia, and I’m too hoping for a late show. Also my first year growing Rodgersia. It’s leaves are hanging in there.
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Fingers crossed that our dahlia will perk up to give us a great late showing. I have a feeling they might.
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I’m afraid I have also bought unnecessary bulbs. Seduced by a deal too good to miss.
I really like the look of the nemesia! Your variety is lovely and delicate.
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Unnecessary bulbs? Down with that sort of thing, Kathrin! Look what you’ve started, Gill. When my HBH asked about me buying unnessary bulbs, I was very clear. They’re as as necessary as rain.
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Haha, I suppose that is true. A garden can always do with more bulbs, and we’re going to be so happy in spring when they all come up!
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We must compare our “unnecessaries” in the spring!
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I’ve dithered over hedychiums for a while now, wondering if they will overwinter. Maybe it is time to take a leap of faith. I can always add it to the long list of things that disappear after their first year! What a joy to see a fresh green leaf – heavenly indeed.
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Mine over winter just fine. Give it a go!
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Hedychium ‘Tara’ is so beautiful. Rain and cooler weather brings a peace. A note on my calendar reminds me that more bulbs are coming. Optimism is a key character trait for a gardener.
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You are quite right, optimism is the best way, sometimes it feel tricky but we (I) should persist.
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I am very impressed with the lovely hedychium, mine isn’t flowering this year, in fact it looks very unhappy. And you have a beautiful flowering colquhounia, how wonderful, that’s something to impress the neighbours with, as the flower catalogues say. Is the rodgersia really called ‘Heavenly Gll’? How appropriate.
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Someone I used to know in Devon had the National Collection of rodgeria and she gave me the seedling that she named for me. There is only this one. Perhaps I should divide it and share it.
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What a lovely story. How wonderful to have a plant named after you.
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I too have bought unnecessary bulbs. In fact I went back for another helping! No doubt next month I shall be complaining about having to plant them. Another tempting Tara. Sadly I just do not have the space so I will continue to admire those in other SoSer’s gardens.
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I hate planting bulbs, I don’t know why I do it to myself, goldfish brain.
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The rain has lifted all our spirits. The new, fresh Rogeria leaf says it all really. I think I can almost smell that Nemesia from here.
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It definitely has lifted our spirits and didn’t we need it!
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There can’t be much difference between Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ and ‘Velvet Elvis’ which I got last year. I’m not sure i’m going to get flowers this year, they were pretty last year but very late. Your ‘Tara’ seedling looks identical to my ‘Tara’, which has never set seeds in all the years I’ve had it. Perhaps this is the year.
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I grew this from seed collected from Tara at Cliffe. The only time I’ve seen seed. Mr Shilling was very interested, i sent him some seed..
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I do wonder about a lot of cultivars, how different each is. Keep your eyes open for seed, if the plant has been stressed it might be generous!
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Yes, I have also noticed a change in the garden this week after the long, hot, dry summer.
Yep, I get it!
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Hopefully you have a little respite now too. I am really feeling a line written in the sand.
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Gee, why does everyone else’s ginger look prettier than mine? I am in California! Gingers should be happier here!
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I suppose they are more unusual for us and we give them special attention. Saying that, I haven’t given this one any attention at all!
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Well, yes, they seem to do it so naturally.
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