What's Looking Good In August 2013

Hmmm ... that tricky?? (Not that I am doubting you!)

I thought the evergreen ones just needed a bit of help through the winter, and the deciduous ones should be OK outside (so maybe you could get the deciduous ones through in pots brought in for the winter?) Try a packet of Headbourne Hybrids from seed perhaps? Mine flowered second-year from seed but all the other ones I have are in plunged pots so that they can come in and get a bit of "help"

 

Was reading a bit on Agapanthus and came across this article which reports a trial in both London and Yorkshire, and reviews which varieties performed best in North and South:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/8675537/How-to-grow-Agapanthus.html

 

Thank you very much Kristen and interesting link.. To be honest I haven't tried the deciduous ones as had no success with the evergreen ones and presumed (wrongly!!!!) that I was wasting my time with the deciduous ones. You have encouraged me to give them a go so maybe, fingers crossed, I will be able to post a photo here in a few years time

 

A few photos taken around the house tonight in the rain

 

Lots of character Roy,
very nice set up, looks unspoilt and good for wild life,
Jenny

 

I like the hanging baskets Roy, Is that a rock face I can see? It looks like a really unusual and different garden.

 

I have one of the biggest colonies of greater house shoe bats living in the caves and my plot is a SSSI site and some other European title,I and the Misses try to encourage the wild life.

 

Yes it is evergreen but not easy to over winter, as I said I kept mine indoors.

 

That pink gladioli is so lovely HsuH!

 

@HsuH - love your Codonopsis! Got C.clematida seedlings coming along. Do you find it reliably hardy?

 

I tried C. clematidea once, it flowered the first year after sowing but it didn't come back to life after winter. Not sure why. It was in a pot so may have got too cold.

This one is C. pilosula. We've had it for at least 3 years and it over winters (in the ground) without problem and without special protection. It climbs over an arch, reaching more than 2m high.

I'd prefer clematidea because it's more colourful but RHS haven't had any seeds on offer since my earlier attempt

 

Thanks for the tip.

I got my seed from here, but there are some available here too and I've used him before and been happy.

 

Those pics armandii are above the usual great standard
Love the red and yellow rose

 

Stunning photos thanks for sharing.