I’m taking it a bit easier in the garden this month, I think I’ve overdone it a bit during June and July, what with walking the Cleveland Way, medical conferences, workshops, the open garden and a virus knocking me for six. I have MS and if I overdo it, it just gives me a gentle reminder that it’s still there. After a weeks break from gardening I’m just doing an easy hour or so of dead heading every couple of days…
We’ve had a fair amount of rain this week, but really we’ve escaped lightly. In Swaledale this week, about 50 miles north, an old stone bridge was swept away in a deluge, I did have to smile though as only in Yorkshire would someone describe the hail stones as pickled onion size!! Fifty miles south at Whalley Bridge, the dam was damaged and is threatening to burst, the whole town has been evacuated, it’s still pretty critical though they have managed to pump a lot of the water out.
So I can’t complain about a bit of rain!!
I’ve dead headed the roses quite harshly this year due to the blackspot, they seem to respond fairly well to this and push out a few blooms later in the year. My Champagne Moments roses finally succumbed to a sudden downpour last night.
Sometimes in the garden I suddenly notice a view of the garden from a different vantage point. A couple of days ago I sat having a coffee and a rest on my new bench, under the arch. Looking across towards the summerhouse looked lovely, through the amber & amethyst flower beds to the pond area with its bright crocosmia and innula.
There’s several echinacea in flower at the moment, they’re great for adding colour at this time of year, the purple ones are most often seen, I also like the amber coloured ones, I bought another one on the market at the weekend! The poppy heads you can see are just starting to ripen, so soon I’ll be able to help spread the seed around!
I’ve got quite a few veronica around the garden, I love their deep blue spikes. I’m sure several of them are self seeded as I don’t remember buying quite that many! I like the wild version too, I’ve several of those around the garden too.This is the patio garden, I think I can see four different veronicas!
My bird feeders are just out of shot on the photo above,a clematis I planted a few years ago has decided to grow up the feeder, which looks really pretty but it does make it very awkward to fill the feers with seed!
I treated myself to a bunch of sunflowers from the market on Saturday, Ā£1.50 for three huge heads, they brighten up the kitchen. I’m tempted to grow some next year, maybe up by the compost heap.
Our next big job in the garden which I’ve earmarked my OH to do is to prune the beech hedge back hard as it’s getting very out of hand, I think that will be later in the month, in the meantime I’ll just enjoy the sunshine when it’s there.
thecraftycreek 
I am so sorry to hear you have MS! Makes my Fibro and Meniere’s seem like nothing! Take time to relax a little more and things might settle down! Sending good wishes to you to get over the flare up! Hugs
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Thanks, I’m lucky in having it pretty mildly, it nudges me with deep tiredness, something you’re probably familiar with with Fibro.
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Always a good idea to listen when the body says “slow down!” You’ve worked hard, to great effect. Now it’s time to stop and smell the roses and drink your coffee.
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You’re right Kate, August is much quieter fortunately, I can just sew instead š
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Your efforts in the garden proved remarkable. Even the grass is a beautiful green. Do take time for yourself since the big tour is over. You do so much you deserve some time off.
Here we need rain. It hasn’t rained yet in August and probably won’t for awhile. It didn’t rain much in July either. I guess we got our allotment in spring. I hope that doesn’t hold.
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Thanks Lisa, England is a ‘green and pleasant land’ because of the amount of rain we have! Would you like me to send some over š
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I admire the amount of work you are able to do with m.s. And, yes I admire your garden
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Thanks, I’m very lucky in having it pretty mildly, touch wood!
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Beautiful garden, You have such a green thumb.
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I agree it us definitely time to enjoy more than weed! I did a round of weeding yesterday, and things look so much better after. I need to finish the irises today and get the squash done. Echinacea gustifolia is native to SD prairies, and one of my favorites.š The Indians used the flower heads for combs, and chewed the root for tooth ache. It numbs your gums! That new view is just restful, I would be out there with my coffee cup every morning, weather permitting!
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Oh yes please slow down, you do so much and so well. Enjoy the fruits of your labour as the garden is truly glorious.
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Always gorgeous and inspiring š
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Hello Karen, I love your garden and would have loved being able to walk around when you had your open day. Sorry you haven’t been feeling well. Take time and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Take care. Regards Mandy xx
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