This is flowering well, after being badly pruned last year. As soon as it’s finished flowering I’ll abandon the hips and cut it back to a better, bushier shape.

This S (N facing) fence is the least well covered of my boundaries. It is also very windy, as the west wind funnels down the gap between my house and my neighbours’ to the S.

The golden hop is good in summer, but dies right down in winter. The ‘Gloire de Morengo’ ivy will be good in a few years.

The acer is pretty robust. This is the first year it was scorched by a very high wind a couple of months ago, even though it wasn’t very cold.

Possible shrubs to go here:

• Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’
• Cotinus coggyria ‘Royal Purple’
• Euonymus

The abelia doing well in a pot at the front could go in the middle of the patch of persicaria, although the RHS says it needs a ‘sheltered, sunny position’.

The Speckled Wood butterfly was seen on a path on 9th June.

The Dragonfly exuvia, which presumably this is (see British Dragonfly Society) was found today at about 1pm on the coping next to the pond. I’ve seen no other signs of eggs, larvae or even adults, apart from the occasional damselfly with a very thin, electric-blue body.

26 Jun

Vaughn, Rob and Linda have identified the exuvia as an Emperor. Thanks to them. I wish I’d seen it emerge.

The clematis have just finished flowering. They’ll probably flower again a little. Hopefully they’ll keep out of the eaves until next year.

The wisteria didn’t flower, but if it had, now would be the time to get it out of the eaves.

Having finally acquired some yellow skunk cabbage, Lysichiton americanus (thanks Miriam), the white skunk cabbage I planted at the pond edge has finally appeared after hiding for three years, at least that’s what I think this plant is. We’ll see.

I thought the iris was foetidissima, but it obviously isn’t. I wonder what it is and where it’s come from.
28 Jun 19
It must be ordinary yellow flag, Iris pseudacorus, although how it got here, nowhere near water, I still don’t understand. Thanks to Vaughn for the ID.

The hesperis is still doing well, and now propped up. I hadn’t realised it would get so big.
28 Jun 19
I’ve let it go to seed, rather than dead-heading it, because I’d like it to come back.

The hebe has been flowering for months, including all through winter.

Oriental poppy: one out, ten to go!

The stachys near the front door will need to be brought under control soon.

I sometimes think I’ve got too many pots, but they’re a good use of a small space.

The cistus is surprisingly good, although only interesting for a short time.

The irises are very good, and can be moved out of the way when they’re over. How good will they be next year if I leave them in their pots?

The white flag iris, Iris pseudacorus ‘Crême de la crême’ was obviously better last week, when I was away, but it’s still lovely today.

The greater spearwort has now migrated all over the pond from wherever I planted it, so I’ll need to pull some out.

The Rosa complicata is just starting to flower. I need to prune it better next time.

Foxgloves are everywhere, but that’s fine.

This cardoon is now six feet tall, and unsupported. I suppose that’s asking for trouble. We’ll see.

This osteospermum is the only one of the four I’ve planted that’s survived. Odd, considering how well it does in other gardens round here.