Garden Diary: July 2018

Phew…

Following the driest June since 1962, now, more than half way through July, there has still been no rain here. Over the last six weeks there’s been less than 10% of the rainfall normally recorded.

In the garden, meadow grasses are burnt to a crisp and the lawn is looking lifeless. With talk of a hosepipe ban I’m watering with a can but even so keeping some things going is hard. Hydrangea arborescens ’Annabelle’ at the far end of the garden is needing my particular attention – a long walk to reach it in the scorching heat.

It is interesting to see though that some plants do thrive with little attention. Alliums and self sown poppies have been spectacular and the hollyhock pictured is literally growing in gravel.

James Wong notes other plants able to defy droughts – in 5 years time I wonder if we will be able to grow our own watermelons?