It’s been a week of on and off rain. We’ve got through a few jobs. There has been lots of thinning to do. The forget-me-nots are going over and the ox-eye daisies are growing a bit thick. We are now into dead-heading time as the first roses are going over. The old roses won’t flower again so they can be left to form rose buds but the others can repeat flower. The marigolds are all over after I let Alice scatter seed, so plenty to deadhead. Alice is joining in, though whether they actually need deadheading varies
1. Dahlia potting on
The Bishop’s Children dahlias have been in need of potting on for a few weeks but not got round to it. I’ve moved them from the tray into pots. They are a bit behind the others as a result but I’ve got two big Bishop’s children nice and bushy from the tubers saved last year. The cactus from seed are a bit further ahead and my other tubers are set to flower soon. The aphids are all over several this year but I’ve found a few ladybird and larvae on them so that should help.
2. Climbing hydrangea
The climbing hydrangea is one of my favourite climbers in the garden. This one isn’t massively noticeable as it is hidden behind the black cherry and the lilac. But it is flowering happily away. I planted two last year opposite that are working their way up the fence. They are slow to establish but once they do they have lush green foliage and these stunning white florets. I noticed Tesco had a lot for sale this week if you are tempted.
I’ve also added a different variety ‘silver lining’ which has the variegated leaves. Gradually the fence is getting claimed by the different climbers as I’d prefer to have it completely green. This gives the other plants a better background but it’s also better for the wildlife.
3. Seagull chick
The seagull chick is still hanging around. It has been rained on lots. I don’t think the parents are feeding it so I have put out a bit of food. However, I’m not sure it recognises it as food so it may slowly fade.
4. Geranium Rozanne
Geranium Rozanne was added earlier in the year. It’s a very popular choice that I’ve never bothered with. But I fancied adding a different colour into the mix as currently, the hardy geraniums are mainly pink or white.
5. Foxglove
I haven’t got many foxgloves this year but I’ve got lots on the go from seed ready for next year. I’m also trying Digitalis lutea to add a perennial variety to get around the biennial aspect of planning for the next year.
6. Hanging cage
I renovated the front garden’s hanging cage as it was looking a bit tatty. I’ve dug out one of the self-seeded nasturtiums. Initially, it seems to have taken a hit for being dugout. But it is still providing plenty of flowers so that’s fine. I think this variety was self-seeded from milkmaid.
And that wraps it up for this week. The weather looks to be wet tomorrow but then it should just be grey for a week so we’ll hopefully be able to get out and get on with some jobs.
Your Bishop’s Children look more advanced than mine. I lost a few when I foolishly left them out one night on the ground. They were pounced on by a slug or snail. I’m nurturing the others. The climbing hydrangea looks lovely. I almost bought one last year from Wilko but resisted.
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Quite a few Bishops I left in the ground from last year are coming up strong too so may have a glut again.
I was tempted with another climbing hydrangea from Tesco’s but I don’t really have many spaces left for one and already started propagating several from my existing.
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Silver lining will.look good in your fences. I got them on my wall. It has yellowish tiny flowers when it matures, loved by bees. Those are loads of dahlias, plenty of time for them to grow yet. Hopefully autumn strikers. Poor baby bird, it might need to be fed to.survive or it would die of hunger. Hanging cage looking good.
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I’ve been throwing it some worms as it doesn’t seem to recognise the seed as food. I think it’s hurt one week coming out of the best so don’t know how long it will survive or if it’ll be able to fledge.
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😕
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This geranium is a safe bet. Very beautiful Rozanne
It isn’t often that I see a seagull chick, even if I live 50 km from the sea, seagulls don’t fly to my garden. What is not your case, you already told us; apparently you have many in your garden! …
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It’s walking round the garden more today but I don’t think it’s going to last as one wing looking wrong. Going to give it a few days and then try animal rescue centres but they don’t normally take gulls as too common.
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Rozanne is always good value. Never complains.
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I hadn’t heard of climbing hydrangea before – very pretty. I like Roxanne. There are so many different perennial geraniums.
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Do you have a wildlife rescue facility in your area? Wherever I’ve lived they take all natives, no matter how common. Not natives? Well, if injured they will humanely euthanize them.
I have a Rozanne, I think. I grew it from mixed seeds. It’s the only one that stays pretty after flowering.
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A seagull chick! What a great addition to your Six. The variegated leaves are an eye-catching addition.
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Here’s hoping the chick makes it. Do you have wildlife rescue groups in your area? They might be able to feed it. The hanging cage is looking good. I think your cage gave me the idea to do mine. The climbing hydrangea’s looking great. Do you need to support it or does it crawl up the wall itself? I’ve seen them looking fantastic in many gardens but’ve never had one myself. Perhaps it’s time.
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Oh for a Tesco…..because the more I see of the climbing hydrangea, the more I’m tempted to get one! I will have to try and source one locally, though I guess I will be paying a lot more for it than what Tesco sells them for! I too hope the little bird survives, and also wondered about a local wildlife group. The foxgloves look lovely.
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Beautiful photos of the Geranium Roseanne and Foxgloves. I am tempted to getting a climbing Hydrangea but how unruly do they get?
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Very well behaved. Grow to the limit of where they can reach. Cut them once a year though some years I haven’t bothered and been fine.
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Yes, please get in touch with a wildlife animal rescue and save that poor bedraggled little chick!
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It got taken to the vets by the RSPCA earlier in the week. Not holding high hopes for it with what looked to be a damaged wing. But at least they can put it out of its suffering.
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