30th June, 2009.
Last month's weather was hotter and drier than normal though there was a touch of ground frost near the start. Rainfall for the month was 72 mm, 3 inches, 60% of average. I managed to get a lot of bramble, ponticum and scrub cleared and the hedge trimmed.
Chores for the month. This month's main tasks will be to weed the borders and keep on top of the mowing. Cutting brambles and ponticum is a priority in good weather - as is mowing the lawns but as the dew seldom dries before mid-day, I cut out and weed in the morning. The brooms around the lawn will get a haircut to keep them bushy.
Trees. Embothrium coccineum, the Chilean Fire Tree still looks quite good after a month of colour. Hoheria lyalii grows very well here and it is just coming into flower, somewhat earlier than usual. Zelkova serrata has very attractive young foliage.
Shrubs. Shrub roses have taken over from the rhododendrons as the main colour in the garden and, though they have a short season compared to their modern counterparts, they are dainty and many are scented. Pernettya with white flowers and pink berries later almost does too well here but it looks good at the moment, like a giant heather.
Herbaceous. Lilies and day lilies are showy just now. The tall campanulas are just beginning to show colour. Flame flower Tropaeolum speciosum is flowering in the border around the house. A few meconopsis are still blooming but most are past.
Here are some of my recent photos:-
Left to right and top to bottom are:-
This page is updated every month with new details and pictures.
See also