Well, what a week! Rain for the first part of the week followed by glorious sun followed by wind and sun. I’ve been busy clearing the patio ready for the builders. I’m trying to find spaces for lots of the potted plants in the borders. So there are several areas of the border that are a bit rammed currently but I will gradually sort them out as annuals come out. Yesterday was my two year wedding anniversary. We didn’t get out but had a nice evening in after getting Alice to bed. The wind was blowing strong. I cut a few of the gladioli for vases inside as I didn’t fancy their chances.
1. Lily
This lily was in a pot last year on the patio. It was completely devastated by lily beetle and didn’t flower. I had heard on gardener’s question time that they often survive better in partial shade so I moved it near the black cherry. It has come back with a vengeance and has been spectacular. Even with the wet weather I’ve had a few weeks out of it. The wind yesterday has accounted for most of the petals but it had a pretty good run.
2. Hydrangea paniculata ‘limelight’
Just behind the lily is limelight. It’s a spectacular hydrangea with lime green flowers fading to white with a tinge of pink. The flower heads are a good size. There are varieties with bigger heads but I think the proportions of this are quite pleasing. I planted two in the back garden last year and one as the centrepiece in the front garden. As you can see, they are settling in well and should carry on putting on a bit more height in future years.
3. Small tortoiseshell butterfly
I had mentioned that small tortoiseshell butterflies have been lower in numbers in a previous six. I’ve just started to see some in the garden this week. I think this would be a second brood of the year. Here it has come for the Achillea millefolium ‘Pink grapefruit’ (yarrow). I had planted this a few weeks back to attract in more butterflies so it is good to see it is doing its job.
The chives are also proving very popular. I cut them back a month or so again after flowering and we’re getting a second burst.
4. Silver Y moths
Each year we seem to get a few years where these day-flying moths are around in large numbers. Last year was a record year but we’ve had a few days this week where every plant I touch sends up a cloud of them. They migrate into the UK but don’t stay for the whole year as it’s too cold for their liking.
5. Dahlia variabilis ‘cactus mixed
These were grown from seed this year. Not reaching anywhere near the heights on the label but they are still looking pretty. So far I’ve had orange and yellow. None of the purple on the label that I quite fancied but these are a nice bright burst.
6. Gladioli
I’ve grumbled about my gladioli since I first put them in. They were blousy pastel colours. I added several dark purple and white ones into the border. I prefer block colours for these and this Wilco’s special is looking particularly good. A few have been blown over even with staking and have been taken for cut flowers inside.
Another productive week in the garden. I still have a few more plants to clear from the patio. A few winter bedding plants to pot on. It’s a week of rain ahead on the forecast so I don’t know how much I’ll get done. But, on the positive side, the garden is looking lush. If you fancy taking part in six on Saturday check the guide. It’s an ever-growing community of gardeners with many blogs and hundreds taking part on Twitter. Enjoy your weekends whatever you are up to.
I really like the photo of the small tortoiseshell. The lily looks great and it’s nice to have one flowering at this time of year.
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The shaded spot slows the flowering down a bit so have a few dotted along that go in succession. I’ve taken so many butterfly pics the last few days. They have been massing.
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I agree, a lovely photo.
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Belated happy wedding anniversary. We’ve just had our 45th. I hope you enjoyed your day.
The weather’s been a challenge here too but your plants are looking great, that’s a beautiful lily. The Gladioli is a gorgeous colour – I’ve been grumbling about mine this week too, though not for being pastel colours. Lovely selection of photographs – love the butterfly shots.
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I’ve cut quite a few of the glads for a vase and won’t be surprised if I go out there this morning to find more in need of a cut after wind. Died down now though.
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Lovely images of the moths and Tortoise shell butterfly. I grow H paniculata Limelight and love it when it first opens but dislike the pink tinge it develops.
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Hello.
What a high-quality post with stunning photos! Thank you.
Happy weekend!
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Hydrangea looking good. Pretty frame of tortoishell and the moth. Lilac gladioli is fab.
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Happy anniversary, we’re only 50 years ahead of you! My gladioli have been beautiful but several have been toppled so brought inside. Pretty butterflies.
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Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary. I saw your T-shirt and it made me smile.😂👍🏻
Superb photo of the tortoiseshell butterfly, and these lilies are beautiful.
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Very nice lily!
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Beautiful lilies. When I see them I think I should grow them again, but here they get badly hot by S&S so I gave up. I might chance the Martagon (turk’s cap) though and see how they fare!
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Cheers. These are in a mass of hardy geraniums which I think helps with the slugs and snails as they get a bit of a chance to get going before they are noticed. In pots they’ve got eaten each time but in the shadier border spots they seem happy.
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I’ve been looking for a white flowered Hydrangea and your ‘Limelight’ is beautiful. I’ve just looked it up and I think it’s too big for the spot I have in mind. Butterflies are in scarce supply in my garden (North Somerset), mostly white ones and the occasional Meadow Brown. Very disappointing
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There is also little lime which is a fraction of the size for a smaller spot.
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It’s an interesting thought that surrounding Lilies with something slugs don’t go for might protect them. Not that I can think of much. I really can’t make my mind up about that gladiolus, it’s a lovely colour but I simply can’t envisage it anywhere in my garden where it wouldn’t be jarring.
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They are currently growing out of Geranium macrorrhizum that is short enough it towers out of it. The glads haven’t got much around them currently so they are a bit on their own. Rising up out of hostas and ferns. The aim was to have the white and purple together but they haven’t flowered at the same time.
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The lily is lovely with its freckled petals. The small tortoiseshell butterfly photo is very good. I love it against the intense blue background.
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Such lovely photos – that lily is so beautiful.
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Your photos are always fantastic. I enjoyed all of these, along with your words, of course.
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The lily is fabulous. Envious that you have them at this time of year and I like the dahlia. I’ve decided I much prefer the smaller scale ones. Very satisfying to have grown it from seed. Happy wedding anniversary!
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The Bishops are a good size. Not so big they need mass staking. They can largely support themselves except during the last few days wind. The flowers are a nice size too. Not so big they flop over and open so the insects can get to them.
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Wow! that lily is just beautiful and full of flowers. Its a good thing you moved it as it certainly did it the world of good. Lovely butterfly and moth photos. the hydrangea Limelight is really pretty.
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