Just back from a few days in Yorkshire and, despite the torrential rain at times, enjoyed the change of scenery. Very impressed with Ilkley where we stayed, such a well kept riverside town with absolutely no litter, clean and tidy streets, busy independent shops and friendly people. Good municipal planting too although a little regimented for my liking!
I came back to the first flowers on Dahlia ‘David Howard’ AGM, a sturdy variety with burnt orange flowers on long stems rising from purplish bronze foliage. Keeps its heads up even in rain. I believe they call this type a water lily dahlia and you can see why.
First blackberries picked yesterday. Another wonderful crop of ‘Merton’s Thornless’ which makes tying in and collecting fruit so much less painful! I will be picking them for several weeks as many are still green and there are even a few flowers left to pollinate. The granddaughters will enjoy a spot of fruit picking during the holidays! Washed and simmered on the hob for ten minutes, they will be on my granola tomorrow!
Very tricky to get a good shot of Salvia uliginosa but thought this was worth featuring to encourage others to grow it. Tall, and ethereal, the gentle movement in the slightest breeze adds movement to the border, but the thicker square stems at the base prevent bending and snapping, even in strong winds. Adored by bees which puncture the flowers to get at the nectar because the flowers are so small. I imagine they are attractive to hummingbirds in their native South America.
I am always impressed with the flower power of Lobelia and just six little plugs of alternative blue and white have filled this pot, completely surrounding the stem of the standard rose above. Not particularly exciting, different or special, just a pretty thing.
I think Liatris spicata is an underused summer flowering bulb. They come in purple and white and are very hardy and reliable. Just plant and forget. They flower for several weeks. opening from the top down so you don’t get that ugly brown spike of dead flowers beneath. Bees absolutely love them and they are as cheap as chips to buy. Highly recommended.
Finally, a shot of the front border which is looking good at the moment with everything in full bloom and standing upright!
Have a great weekend
David
Davids Garden Diary 
You are to be complimented on your beautiful garden, David…
Thank you so much! Nice to know you like it.
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Nice to see Liatris mentioned. I agree with your views and it should be much more widely grown as it’s bomb proof!
Yes, it doesn’t seem to care about climate or soil, just about as reliable as it gets.
Love your posts, thank you
Thank you Anne, glad you enjoy them. Let me know if there is anything more you would like to know or see.
Another great and informative post! Thank you.
You old softie! Nice to know you are there in the background!
A lovely garden David. Thorn less blackberries are very appealing, I shall look them up.
Much less dangerous!
I love Salvia uliginosa, it is such a beautiful shade of sky blue. Your pot of Lobelia is lovely, I think it is an underused plant and looks wonderful in pots.
Salvia uliginosa is my current favourite and it is right outside the kitchen window so I see it all the time. The bees absolutely adore it, even though the flowers are too small for the bumbles to enter. However, they are really clever and puncture the base of the flower to sip the nectar!
The crafty little creatures, stealing nectar without pollinating the flowers.
Wow your front border shot is amazing. The lobelias are excellent, things do not have to be unusual to be fabulous! There is a simple beauty to common things.
Thank you Sarah. That particular border has the best soil, the best drainage and is South facing so it does better than all my other garden areas. I agree that plants don’t have to be unusual or special or different to be liked and admired, but there is a bit of a compulsion to use the blog as a way of featuring ‘the best of the best’ that week. Perhaps I shouldn’t try so hard!
I love the lobelia and should consider putting them in my pot on the front steps next year for a change of pace. The liatris is native here and I have been thinking to add some, but also like the salvia, which my hummingbirds would enjoy.
Glad the blog may have given you some ideas for your own garden. The Salvia does need to be kept well watered to thrive. It has the unfortunate common name of Bog Sage!
Well, maybe in the wet area at the back of the garden – of course, no place is wet now, still in extreme drought. We did get rain at just the right time, so corn is coming in – my neighbor just brought me a big bag of sweet corn. Mmm!
Your front border looks fabulous. You have a nice mix of colors and forms. It seems it’s blackberry time for a lot of the “Sixes.” I don’t have any in my garden, but some wild ones nearby are ripening, and gosh are they delicious!
Hi Beth. Thanks for your kind comments. Just about to go outside and pick some more blackberries to freeze so we can still enjoy them in the winter. They freeze really well.