WHAT'S LOOKING GOOD IN JULY 2018

Fuchsia 'Thalia'.............
Fuchsia 'Thalia' by longk48, on Flickr

Fuchsia 'Insulinde'.............
Fuchsia 'Insulinde' by longk48, on Flickr

Fuchsia 'Thalia' with Fuchsia 'Insulinde' in the background..........
Fuchsia 'Thalia' and Fuchsia 'Insulinde' by longk48, on Flickr

Zantedeschia elliottiana..............
Zantedeschia elliottiana by longk48, on Flickr

Manfreda elongata (again)..............
Manfreda elongata by longk48, on Flickr

 

Brushing the grass, knocking dew off, etc., is done mainly the create a dry sward for the mower
I think the cuttings refer to the plants pictured Tetters

 

My new waterlily has just had its first flower! It's a Nymphaea pygmea rubra which arrived as little slip of a thing in a jiffybag back in March, after I bought it on ebay. My older waterlily, a chromatella, had its first flower a fortnight or so ago but I certainly wasn't expecting this one to flower so soon - guess the hot weather's encouraged it to grow apace.

 

I think I may have worded that wrong @Tetters
I took cuttings from Salvia, Acer's and Lavenders...possibly via wrong methods or timings but hey nothing ventured nothing gained as they say.
Brushing the lawn/grass for me means getting moisture off the top and into the soil, there is a lot of liquid there and if I dont do it this heatwave will surely rob it...I don't always cut the same day though (I mow perhaps 3 times a week)...Sorry for the confusion..lol

 

Grass, anyone remember that stuff?

I used to have some, but when it looks like this it means we are having a good summer, I'm sure after a few days rain it will green up within the week.

 

...I`m so easily confused - there`s no hope Good luck with the cuttings, stick `em in the shade and keep `em damp, and I`m sure they will be fine

 

It's ok Tetters.....just an age thing!


(Hmmmm! Not sure I would keep lavendar cuttings damp??.....I keep them on the dry side)

 

Just wotchit Verdun..... just wotchit and damp is ok - but not soaking wet ....

 

Thank goodness its raining then...

Its not as blueish/purple as it normally would be in years gone by (still nice though) is there any truth in that soil composition i.e. acidity plays a part in hydrangea colouration?? and if so.. would a good heavy mulch with Ericaceous compost dug in and around it help...

 

If you plant a pink hydrangea in acid soil it will turn to blue/mauve. A nice blue one in chalky soil will change to mauve/pink.
If you grow a blue one, in a shady place, in ericaceous compost it will stay blue
I find it easier to stick with what will grow naturally in the soil I have

 

Agree totally with Tetters....principle applies to most plants too
Down here, in mainland Cornwall, acid soil ( and therefore blue hydrangeas) is predominant but here on the coast the soil is neutral to alkaline. So, pink red or white hydrangeas and not blue ones for my garden

 

Very good, that`s the way it should be

 

Thank you ma'am

 

Its nice to be nice you two lol
Buddleia considered a rampant bush by many and me to a certain extent is doing better than last year...yes its still being attacked by something small and although its flourishing, in parts it looks a little ragged...I feel its being held back by this...any ideas what munches it leaves...it has to be something small like I say, small holes dotted all over..I'm not overly concerned and I am spraying it regularly with Bug compounds but its still happening...no doubt in years to come it will be a strong bush with equally strong branch-work (which I hope to train into shape) just whilst its only in its 3rd season its still being preyed upon....another garden element to stress about I suppose hahahaha.
Its a war out there...