The high temperatures this week have made watering the garden a twice daily challenge and this has highlighted a problem. Do I want to continue to garden in this high maintenance way? If I want colour, scent and variety in my borders then yes, I do. On the other hand, we don’t want to become slaves to the garden, particularly if and when grandchildren come along and we we want to spend more time away from home.

However, for now we both love the pleasure we get from this cottage garden style of planting, despite the work it entails.

Sadly, the impressive Agapanthus africanus are now going over and will probably be cut down next week to make way for the potted Cannas and Dahlias waiting in the wings

I have been very impressed with the drumstick Allium sphaerocephalum bulbs in the pots which are now fully open and attracting lots of bees. I must remember to buy more in September. I like the fact that they are much later to flower than Purple Sensation and Cristophii and so keep the theme going for longer.

Argyranthemum ‘Donnington Hero’ acquired in the Plant Heritage plant exchange is in full bloom and if I can find any non-flowering shoots I’ll take some cuttings in case we have a hard winter.

The basket of Sanvitalia ‘Million Suns’ is beginning to live up to it’s name and should be totally covered in flowers in a week or so if the hot weather continues.

I am not a fan of Hollyhocks and so didn’t plant this one. However, I do admire plants that seed themselves and then go on to survive and prosper. This one came in from next door and has done itself proud. So far no rust. It gives height and stature to the border and a leg up to the Verbena bonariensis growing through it.

I like this Ammi majus even though it reminds me of posh Cow Parsley. It gives the border height, movement and grace which few other white annuals achieve.

It is a good foil for Echinacea purpurea and manages to get it’s head up above just in time!

The Turk’s Cap Lily ‘Leichtlinii’ is just beginning to open amongst the Ammi and the Gaura. Not supposed to like my limy soil but doesn’t seem to mind.

The Agastache ‘Apricot Sprite’ grown from seed has done well planted on top of the dwarf narcissus in the stone pot by the front door. I like the anise or liquorice smell of Agastache although I have since discovered that a lot of people don’t. I grew a lot of plants this year and couldn’t even give them away!

This is the first sign of a new plant to my garden. Rudbeckia laciniata which I grew from seed last year and thought I had lost over the winter. However, it seems to be hardier than it’s delicate appearance would suggest.

This Echium ‘Blue Bedder’ grown from a free packet of seeds has once again proved itself to be invaluable as a rich source of nectar for hungry bees. Reliable, drought tolerant, low growing and attractive front of border cousin of the usually enormous spires the name Echium conjures up.

I love it when a plan comes together. This Verbascum olympicum planted with Verbena bonariensis certainly works well in the hot, dry poor soil and full sun.

Finally, this is for one of my followers who has dovecotes in his garden. My advice is don’t get the doves ‘cos this is what happens!