A quick glimpse of the booze factory! Blackberry Gin, Redcurrant Vodka, Blackberry Brandy, Japanese Wineberry & Maple Syrup Vodka, Blackberry & Vanilla Vodka Liqueur all steeping for 12 weeks before being strained, filtered and bottled for Christmas. Obviously, might have to sample each one before then!
Incredible sunset last night. Looked like the sky was on fire. Another hot couple of days still to come. Out with the watering cans!
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is reputedly a short lived perennial but this one has been going for 8 years. Never quite sure what ‘short lived’ means, is it 3,5,7 years or longer? I have found it easy to take heal cuttings and propagate them in the Hydropod so all will be well.
I am always impressed with the simple and abundant flowers of perennial sunflowers. This Helianthus has been with me since we moved here 12 years ago and has been split, walked on and moved several times since then. It is one of those plants that come with a warning that they may spread vigorously which this one certainly does. However, in the right place the 2m tall flowers make a wonderful backdrop to a mixed border as long as you’re not sniffy about yellow. Pollinators love them and as I wrote previously, it takes a Chelsea Chop in May which doubles the flowers and prolongs the season.
Everybody likes a good Phlox! This one is short and sweet, and free of mildew for now!
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is finding it tough going in my clay soil. She dries out quickly and needs constant watering which seems to result in shorter growth and smaller flowers. I enriched the soil with compost and have pampered her with organic fertiliser but nothing seems to perk her up. I think I may have to give up and just accept her runty growth.
And that is my Six on Saturday, on time for once!
Davids Garden Diary 
All looks excellent to me. Please spare a thought for those of us trying to keep things going in the dust bowl that is sandy Surrey! Sedums (now hylotelephium – why?) seem to be thriving though…
Thanks Ian and yes, I feel for you in Sandy Surrey. Oh what I would give for a garden with a loam soil instead of clay! We gardeners are never satisfied!
Talk about “How does your garden grow”! Yours just keeps on going beautifully.
With a little help Chris, like five days a week! The other two days I play golf!
Gaura is a beauty and definitely ‘short lived’ here – three years if we’re lucky. That’s a beautiful shade of purple phlox.
Thanks Chris. I love Gaura and a friend has mentioned that Gaura sinuata is longer lived. Maybe something to check out!
I’ve written the name down!
If gaura is “short lived” I can’t imagine what long lived would mean! Mine keeps going and going, and spreading and seeding and… I’d have nothing but gaura if it had its way!
The blackberry booze looks yummy! My neighbor makes, or made, blackberry wine. One year it fermented and he had to quickly give it away before the bottles blew! That stuff was terrific, he ought to do it on purpose!
Your fermentation station is excellent. Great use of extra produce. I’m enjoying the phloxes on Sixes today, and yours is no exception. Stay cool there!
top booze work there. i’m anticipating a plum glut next year, i must see what t’internet says about plum based booze.