watchingthedaisies

The Garden in August 2018

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Gladioli 

The garden seems to be more autumnal than last August. My flowers put on an early show with the long heatwave in May and June, and they have now run out of Steam!

Sadly, the Gladioli which looked magnificent at the beginning of the month have now deceased.

Agapanthus

Agapanthus always make me smile. I have the white variety which look great in their deep blue glazed ceramic pots.

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Japanese Anemone

These Japanese Anemone have been blooming for a number of weeks. They greet visitors at my front gate with a warm welcome.

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The mummy plant has a number of babies surrounding her in various stages of growth.

Crocosmia and Smoke Bush

Crocosmia and Smoke Bush enhance each others hues. I love the combination of bright oranges, reds, yellow or cerise flowers juxtaposed with dark foliage.

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New Planting

Unfortunately, the Lilium Manitoba Morning I set last autumn died back very quickly with the heat, and left a gap that needed filling. This called for some new plants :

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I chose a combination of Achillea, Silene and Salvias, with Foxgloves for more colour next summer. I shall tweak as necessary.

Rosa Glauca

Rosa glauca has lots of lovely berries, waiting for the birds:

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She has also acted as a great support to her neighbour Clematis jackmanii:

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Verbena bonariensis

I added some Verbena bonariensis to this little corner. She injects a bit more sparkle:

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Rosa Princess Margareta

I have been nursing Rosa “Princess Margareta” as she had a very slow start, and looked a bit poorly. She is now on the mend, and I am thrilled to share her first delicate orange buds:

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Hopefully, she will clothe her corner with LOTS of luscious blooms next summer.

Bronze Fennel

This Bronze Fennel towers over my Roses at nearly 8 feet tall. I cut it back each autumn and it rewards me with its elegant spires all summer long:

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Apples

I have been enjoying the fruits of one of my three apple trees for a few weeks, and transformed them into several tasty apple pies:

There are lots more to harvest. They will be cooked and frozen for winter consumption.

Jobs for September

My autumn tidy has already started. These Candelabra Primula were wilting a lot this summer, so I have lifted and divided them and moved them under the shade of my Rowan tree.

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It is a nice damp spot which will ensure they thrive.

Lifting and Division

September and October are ideal times to divide perennials. I shall share more on this topic in next month’s post.

Planning for Next Year

September is a perfect time for planning next years planting.

Ordering Seeds

I have already ordered these seeds:

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“Tall Double Mix” Scabious, “Rich Velvet” Wallflower, Dahlia “Bishop’s Children”, Verbena rigida, Poppy somniferum Mix and a Cottage Garden Mix will be sown next spring, to fill a few gaps from plants that are past their best, that will be re-homed in loving gardens.

https://sarahraven.com is a heavenly website.

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

77 comments

    • Thank you David. I love Poppies but I have none in the garden at the moment. I really love the mix of colours in this collection. My neighbour has a lovely pink one which I might ask her for a seed pod. Massive Hugs to you too. xxx

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  6. Oh, the apples we have eaten while out walking around the countryside have been divine!! Especially when we had a longer walk than anticipated. Your apple pie looks very yummy especially so with a dollop of cream 🙂

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  8. What a lovely garden you have Brigid. I enjoyed seeing all your different plants and flowers and as for those apples, how delish, what a lovely harvest. Happy gardening. 🌸🍃

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  10. I know what you mean about ten gladioli, Brigid although I have some white ones that were newly planted in May that are only just flowering. I wonder if your garden is a little more sheltered than mine as our apples are no where near ready for harvesting yet. I have so many jobs on my to do list, that I don’t know where to start to be honest! Maybe the heatwave made everything ‘go over quicker so we feel we need to clear up?

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  13. What a gorgeous garden, Brigid. I love the colours and different varieties. Clearly, you have quite a green thumb — and I am green with envy! 🙂

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  15. I love your garden updates …. such wonderful flowers even though summer is stuttering to a halt with you, it seems. The seasons come and go and I think there is something wonderful about one’s readiness for the next chapter as the steam goes out of the present. The pie deserves special praise. Is there really anything more heavenly than a home-made apple pie with one’s own apples?

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  16. It was nice to visit your garden, especially today when I am making pear sauce from some of our pears. Your flowers seem so exotic compared to the ones we grow. I especially like your Agapanthus.

    Michael ended up putting many flowers in pots this year and I enjoy that more. We can move them around a bit more.

    Apple pie is on my list to do by Friday. We have a younger trees that are finally producing a bit.

    Take care, Terri

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  18. So much wonderful inspiration. My garden is a tip. I didnt do much with it in the heat. The rain has brought back to lif. It is overgrown and in a state.

    Thanks this post full of inspiration.. hopefull i will sort my garden out..

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  20. I love your garden Brigid and how you take us on a trip around it ..love those Japanese Anemone such a pretty pink and that pie looks awesome I do miss the English apples especially the Bramleys. My garden is mainly trees not many flowers more fruit and herbs… 🙂 xx

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  25. Ahhh, what a walk in the garden! 🙂 Summer always means gladiolas to me. Here in NE, they’re almost finished their garden time. During July/August, I can buy a bunch on a roadside for $7, so always have them waving at me in tall vases in my entryway. And Agapanthus are so special to me. We don’t have them here in New England, but they were on every street corner in the SF bay area where I lived. They are always a delight, as is your entire garden. xo

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    • Thank you Pamela. I love gladioas too. I do not pick any from the garden but I love buying bunches like you. The agapanthus came from Madeira. They are growing wild there and everyone buys them to bring back. 🌼

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  33. Beautiful again Brigid!! Gladioli always remind me of my grandmother’s garden. You’ve so many vivid blooms– love he photos. I would really like it if you would post them bigger, so we can see each bright bloom! thanks thanks. Your garden posts are the best! xox friend.

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