It's been far too hot to work or even sit in the garden this last few days. The pop up gazebo was put up last Saturday but was only used until Monday when it became far too hot even in the shade to be outside until about eight o'clock in the evening.
The warmer weather has encouraged everything to flower. We are inundated with foxgloves.
Bees love them.
The yellow rose bush we inherited when we first moved here has had more flowers on it than I have ever seen before. I'm not sure what type it is but the flowers have a lovely scent and progress from dark yellow to almost white as they mature.
Yellow Flag Iris in the pond. They have taken over again this May. Each year they get thinned out. These too were inherited from the previous owners.
They and the other plants are draining the pond so we have had to top it up from the rainwater butts.
Also in the pond we've had Damselflies flitting around. Two pairs.
I think these are the more common Large Red Damselflies.
It was interesting to see them using the pond over several days.
There are loads of little apples forming on the apple tree. I guess a lot of these will drop but it's good to see them after all the lovely blossom.
Strawberries, gooseberries, elder flower and sweet peas are on the way.
Last but not least my very favourite plant the Philadelphus Belle Etoile or 'Mock Orange'. I'd wanted one for ages and we bought this last year. Many years ago I worked in a 15th century hall and behind our museum office was a herb garden bordered by a mock orange hedge. The scent in the air as we made our way across the courtyard to the museum stores was wonderful. I looked forward to it flowering each year.
There is so much to enjoy and look forward to in the garden. Much needed to calm the mind and lift the spirits in this very uncertain world.
All for now.

So glad you have bought a Mock Orange - it will delight you for years. The rose is just lovely. Yellow flags are just coming into flower by our pond too :) Great to see the damselflies. Son has seen a few in the garden but I haven't seen any yet this year. Your Foxgloves look lovely too and your garden looks great. It has been way too hot recently. Thankfully, I think after today it will be cooler with rain. I don't know about you but I have found it really difficult to sleep at times even with a fan on.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline, the damselflies were a bonus and lovely to see. We've seen a few out over the last few days whilst walking but they were blue ones. Yes, sleeping has been difficult. Also I get so tired in the late afternoon and tend to nod off whilst I'm reading which doesn't help for sleeping later on:) The heat certainly doesn't help although as you say it is much cooler today, I've done a few jobs that needed doing but kept putting off because of the heat:)
DeleteA beautiful time of year in your garden. I’m loving those flag irises. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you B, yes it is a lovely time of year:)
DeleteIt has been super hot this week, which has meant getting out and back early for me, but your garden looks beautiful and is coping really well. I love the foxgloves dotted about, all pink and gorgeous! Great photos. Much cooler today, I'm going to have a later walk! 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK, far too hot for me, I struggled through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Today is much more manageable. The foxgloves have seeded all over. I hope you have a lovely walk:)
DeleteBeautiful! I especially love the yellow iris. X
ReplyDeleteThank you Jules, lots of yellow flowers at the moment amongst the pink foxgloves:)
DeleteYour garden is looking very floral Rosie! It has been a good year for roses. My Desdemona bush rose has been covered in white (softest pink) blooms for weeks. I like your yellow rose very much. Your foxgloves look fantastic! Not so hot here now - thank goodness! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone, roses have been wonderful so far this year haven't they? It has cooled down quite a lot here too, we had just about got used to the warmer weather, perhaps that was
DeleteSummer in Spring? All very unusual:)
Your gardens are so beautiful, Rosie. I wish I could grow foxgloves. No luck, sadly. I think i am too hot and dry here.
ReplyDeleteI hope it has cooled down by now!
Thank you Granny Sue, foxgloves have spread over the garden this year, we are on clay soil. Definitely cooled down now, with winds and rain every day on and off:)
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