Thes are all good at the moment, apart, perhaps, from the N side of B1, which is quite shaded.

Both clumps of ox eye daisies have now finished flowering. The frilly ones had been allowed to flow (nicely) and the common ones had stayed proped up well behind their steel support. The common ones had swamped the monkshood, which will, hopefully, recover.

Aster and phlox just coming into flower.

Now 8′ tall in B1 and B2, although quite modest in a pot at the front. Surprisingly stable without being propped up, although there hasn’t been that much wind.

The lavender from the original garden near the garage is now enormous, but just coming into its own, and covered in bees. It seems to have stopped flopping. I suppose I shall have to reduce it a bit.

The fuchsia should break up the large patch of persicaria and stop it looking rather dull in winter.

See also October 18, March 18, June 17

These continue to do well, so I don’t have to be any less firm with their pruning.

The middle plant, which I cut back to the ground, can come out when convenient. The other two have responded well to heavy pruning.

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’.

Pittosporum ‘Golfball’ at the front

This is a fantastic plant with a very good shape, and lovely dark red stems, but I don’t want it to get too tall and shade the border behind. The idea is to make it lower and let it spread over the gravel.

Pittosporum ‘Golfball’ at the back

This plant is looser, and there’s nothing behind that it’s shading.

Pittosporum ‘Elizabeth’ at the back

Another cracking plant with a more fastigiate form. It was getting too high and shading the Prostanthera behind it. I cut it back to about 50%