Summer in my garden.

Oh Hywel I can identify with your opening statement, I too have gaps, mine was down to our lack of rain for weeks at the end of springtime flowering, the summer plants were at a standstill for ages, admittedly we have now gone the other way, typical british weather, rain every day since the schools broke up, which means things are looking up now,I like your stopgaps, makes attractive things to admire as you wander around, unlike you I cannot fill in with pots, Hurricane Harriets loves them and I've had to move any smaller ones away from the little Madam, she also was adept at clearing my border for me,trouble is it wasn't weeds that she was removing, saying that she is very comical so does get away with it...Your Phlox are looking smashing, I do have a white that is just beginning to flower so very pleased with that but still waiting to see if my mauve has returned, two clumps are way behind so only time will tell, your Clematis always look lovely so no doubt they will reward you yet again,I lost two to the winter storms so had to start again, consequently none are flowering yet, its a right weird summer again, I have autumn flowers coming out before the summer ones, makes for interesting viewing Hywel, also gives ideas for anything new I fancy planting for the next few years, like you Hywel I will get around to getting the garden sorted in my own sweet time. I enjoyed having at peep in your garden.. lovely blog and photo's, btw..where was the lovely Bella, lol.....

lol Hurricane Harriet :D She's lovely Sue ... I would gladly move my pots if I had her in my garden.
I hope your Phlox flowers soon, and also my Clematises. They are not very good this year.
I know about plants flowering out of season. I have lots on my Bergenias and those usually flower in February lol and my Japanese Anemonies are full of buds, but usually flower in the autumn .... but the weather is more like autumn than July.
Bella ... well she's another story - lives in a world of her own. I planted some Antirrhinums and she decided they'd make a comfortable bed on one of those warm days we had a few weeks ago. I think they're recovering slowly. I did take a photo of her lying on them but didn't post it. She's difficult to photograph - doesn't keep still long enough !
Thanks for your comment Sue :)

You are hard on yourself Hywel, to me your garden is lovely so many interesting plants and with all your beautiful fuchsias you`re never short of gap stoppers.

What a wonderful busy garden Hywel. I think your pots of fuchsias are doing a great job of filling those gaps. I think when we all tidy up we're likely to get the odd gap here and there...at least you have something beautiful to fill them.

Your garden looks beautiful full colour. Love your gap filling ideas. Keep up the good work ?
Marjorie

Beautiful garden Hywel and I have spring cyclamen flowering well at the moment too. Everything is upside down this year for sure. I am told Tom West is hardy but I've never left mine out. You're the Fuchsia expert so is it worth a try?

Just love a wonder around your lovely garden so full at every turn and the lovely view of the fields beyond and a look at St Francis who I always admire !

It all looks lovely. I really like your Alpine tub, something to copy! St. Francis might watch, but why doesn't he help? He's got his basket, he could always do a bit dead-heading!
Crumbling seats aren't called crumbling, they are aged, rustic and to die for by garden designers. Hopefully your gap fillers will be better treated than mine, when I forget to get them in for the winter!

Honey you are a gem, mine are now going to become collectors items, they will match my Rustic Sheds and of course I'll say its all deliberate..LOL...

Shabby Chic is the term I think they use. Then double the price!

Tom West is looking good

Thank you all for your comments :)

The seat is actually disintigrating. It's made of reconstituted stone and it is crumbling. The bit you sit on has gone already. I've put two long pieces of concrete there now. The supports won't last much longer.
It is about 30 years old so has lasted well :)

Thorneyside I would only leave a Fuchsia in the ground if I had some cuttings in case it died. Some are said to be hardy but are only so in a sheltered position. Also some 'tender' ones are tougher than you think.
I've never planted TW in the ground. I've got some cuttings this year so I may try one of those next year.

Hywel, I 2nd Strollers comment, your garden is a real treat to see. You've got a lot to look after & you're doing it brilliantly.
Is that clematis Duchess of Albany? I have one but she was too rampant for the obelisk I gave her so have moved her, also flea beetles seem to really like her - pests such a pain!

Thank you :)
The Clematis on the arch is Princess Diana (or Lady Diana - I can never remember) and there's a purple one I've forgotten the name of (but it isn't D of Albany)
and the one by the shelter is Venosa Violacea.

I like all clems, both of yours are lovely.

Stunning as usual in your flourishing garden Hywel throughly enjoyed roaming around with you in your garden . Love your Alpine s and tub it looks great the bench as well. I have a few flowers reflowering from Spring. Is that Princess Diane clematis the deep pink one.
Tom West I have as well yes it is hardy I have left mine out in its pot in side a watering can for years.

Well I think your garden always looks lovely, Hywel. I am getting more and more envious of gardens like yours with all those lovely colours. It's too late to change ours, sadly.
(Hope OH doesn't read that).
Clematis did badly in our garden but since I hung up a Green Man nearby they have taken off! ( cue for X Files music there).

Just want to grab a big book and a glass of champagne and sit in your beautiful garden on a sunny afternoon. It's absolutely stunning. You must be so proud of it :) x

Thank you all for your comments

Yea Thrupennybit, the pink Clematis is Princess Diana. The slugs find her very tasty !

Good job you bought that green man Eirlys ...

You are welcome to sit in my garden any time New at this :)

Thank you Hywel and thanks for the warning Hywel I shall get my vasaline around the stems then that should stop the slithering suckers.?

Actually I read a good tip for using slug pellets. I don't like scattering them around but I don't like slugs either.
The advice was that if you scatter them round plants you actually attract more slugs than normal as they are drawn to the smell plus they are expensive & you use them up quicker but if you just put a teaspoonful into some jam jars, lay them on their side at places where the plants they like are. This keeps them away from other creatures, keeps them dry so they work for longer & it very cost efficient.

What a great idea Greenfingers thank you .

its tips like that Greenfingers that make this site my favourite place, I have learnt so much from all of you !

Thank you Hywel....you'll regret saying that when I bring my tent and stay there :D

New at this ... LOL I never say something I don't mean :)

Thanks for that tip Greenfinger. I will certainly try it.

You're very welcome, I only wish I'd seen it sooner.

I'll get my tent ;)

lol !

Just catching up as usual, another great blog Hywel......a good idea to use pots of fuchsia to fill gaps, we have several gaps this year, after the searing heat, then the constant rain!it is always a joy to look around your garden, St Francis is a lucky man..
Green finger I am going to try your jam jam jar trick, the slugs/snails will be out in their hundreds after all this rain...

Thank you, I also get behind often :)

Even more gorgeous photos! *drool*

That tip about the slug pellets sounds really useful, ty :)

Your garden is like visiting Wonderland! I love the feeling of being lost among the plants. My favourite spots are the lovely little bench and the St. Francis statue. I love how it is surrounded by the plants. Just lovely.

Thank you both for looking at my blog, and your comments :)