The middle plant, which I cut back to the ground, can come out when convenient. The other two have responded well to heavy pruning.
Looking good today
Rosa ‘Albertine’
This is climbing up the ropes to the E wall of the house, although it’s facing strong competition from the clematis montana. Surprisingly, it’s even better on the neighbours’ N side of the fence.
Hydrangea ‘Bluebird’
I could have pruned this even lower. I’d forgotten how white the bracts start.
Still looking good
Some plants go on and on. I’ll cut back the cistus, which has smothered some plants in front of it, when it’s finished.
Rosa complicata
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.
Windy fence
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’.
Wildlife at the back
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.
Prune climbers on house
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.
Skunk cabbage
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.