1st August, 2010.
Recent weather has been wet. Rainfall in July was 197mm, about 7.8 inches, 150% of average for the month. There were no ground frosts in June, 3°C being the lowest.
Chores for the month. This month's main tasks will be to cut grass and strim paths. There is some planting to be done and some path building if the weather permits.
Trees. Hoheria lyallii is a small tree from the Southern Hemisphere which flowers briefly, but profusely, and later carpets the ground with white petals. It also gently self-seeds so there are always replacements when needed.
Shrubs. Rhododendron auriculatum, and its hybrid "Polar Bear" are at their peak just now. It is difficult to tell them apart though the hybrid has shinier leaves and seems to flower over a longer season. The fragrance on a still, humid evening is noticeable a considerable distance from the plants. Lace cap and mop-head hydrangeas are coming to full bloom.
Herbaceous. Lilies provide the most colour just now. White galtonias are opening. Tall Campanula lactiflora in shades of blue are dotted around the grounds. One advantage of having previously been a plant propagator is the ability to recognise certain seedlings. Sea holly seedlings look weedy but turn into something special - I don't recall them ever being here but I noticed the seedlings a couple of years ago and will keep some seed when it ripens (see below).
Wild flowers. I have been trying to improve the wild flower population in the garden. The removal of huge quantities of bramble and scrub has helped. Several areas of bluebells had been almost mowed out in pursuit of neatness, so now they are not cut till the bluebell seed is ripe and I may even leave till later as the yellow cat's ear which follows the bluebells is a magnet for butterflies. Last year, I collected lots of bluebell seed from dense patches and broadcast it over the Alpine Meadow. I shall do the same this year and add Ragged Robin for the damper bits, ox-eye daisy and perhaps purple loosestrife though that can be a bit boisterous.
Here are some of my recent photos:-
Left to right and top to bottom are:-
NEW....."The Ardtornish Garden" by Faith Raven includes a short history of the Garden, with photographs of the people who have owned it and of the people who have worked in it and of the plants they grew. It describes the changing colours of the seasons in the Garden and how the work of the gardener has to fit in with the difficulties of the climate. Take a tour of the Garden using the detailed maps and see some of the best view points and the most interesting plantings.
Priced £10 including p&p "The Ardtornish Garden"
This page is updated every month with new details and pictures.
See also