Shrub success

This is the view opposite the long border, on our neighbours' side. The Fatsia and Red Robin are doing really well - getting quite large now and filling up the space they have nicely. Although I'd like to see this side have a few more flowers, it's nice and low maintenance as it is (which is pretty appealing). This is one of the key areas where I'm looking for height, trouble is the highest shrubs are in the wrong place - in front of our neighbours' shed. Good example of poor planning. Pah.

Things that collapse

This is only the second summer for this border and it's already choc-full. You can't even see the Griselinia hiding at the back but in winter they are about the only thing on show - I'm hoping by the end of the summer they'll be the height of the wall behind (there are three of them there). The yellow flowers at the front are Coreopsis verticillata Zagreb - I bought two very wee pots (I mean those silly inch pots you get in the garden centre early spring) and they seem to be doing as well as last year when they flowered well into October/November although I was a rather manic dead-header. Can't say the rain has allowed for the same this year.

The taller yellow blooms are Anthemis tinctoria 'E.C. Buxton, again bought in an inch pot. I'm a bit annoyed with them as I made sure I staked them (lesson learnt from last year) but this year they have tricked me into growing a foot higher so they all collapsed, hence the rather savage big cane emergency stake that's there. I'll be better prepared for next year.

Spuds for dinner tonight

These are my first early potatoes. They've been really good (though I can't find the piece of paper that has the variety written on it - bummer). I've just dug up the last of the first row; I planted two rows of these then two rows of main crop, and a tub for the spares that I couldn't throw away - am looking forward to emptying it.

Bee is for borage

At least the rain hasn't deterred the bees. The veg plot is buzzing with them, largely because the borage has gone mad this year. I can't quite believe how 'green' I was to buy a packet of borage seeds - absolutely no need, they self seed with a vengence and have filled up the space where my beans have failed (a very sad, empty cane wigwam - they were eaten, tedril, leaf and stem while we were on holiday). Just as well for borage I suppose, better than an empty plot.

Star for July

This is one of my real summer favourites. I'm quite big on penstemons anyway but this is a lovely delicate colour. I grew this from a cutting (very easy to take - around now is the right time) so planted it in view from the back door. It's just tall enough to be seen above the deck. Next year it will flower earlier but it's been worth the wait.

Shady stage 3

We've not picked the best summer to construct a shady nook but between the raindrops we have again ventured out to do a bit more work on the 'beach'. The uprights are in and some cross beams have been added. The gravel is down so all that's needed now is to dig out the borders and maybe sort some edging. This will still take a lot of effort as the ground here is dense with bindweed so we'll have a go at removing the majority but you never win with the stuff. Am sure there'll be battles into the future...