I think I blinked and summer has passed me by! The weather is certainly a challenge, but the Harlow Carr main herbaceous borders are looking stunning, standing up to the wind, sun and rain really well without any staking. Had a really busy week, trying to keep on top of the ever multiplying weeds, and then getting all summer plant displays out into the garden. Sometimes it can seem that it is a constant race, you weed, turn your back, and there they are again! We are constantly reminded about timings in this game, if only we'd mulched all the bare areas in late spring with a good 2 to 3 ins of organic mulch, the time we spend weeding would be vastly reduced, best laid plans and all that!
The scented garden saw the whole Gardens West team bringing in our summer performers, not only with scented flowers but aromatic leaves as well. Scent is so important, a very evocative and powerful sense and this gem of a garden really delivers! Agastache foeniculum (Anise hyssop) with its violet spikes and liquorice- smelling leaves (one of the hardiest we have found), along with vanilla wafts of the Nemesia, numerous salvias and scented leaved pelagoniums, each with their individual aromas now adorn this glorious garden.
It is certainly a pleasure to be in the garden this time of the year, even if the weather isn't very obliging! Will someone let me know when it is safe to get my sun hat out - it rains every time I wear it!
Sarah Bell