Splendid Hydrangeas

Dear Readers, en route to tea and lemon cake with my  lovely friends A and M, I passed some particularly splendid plants, including this Durham Road hydrangea. Hydrangeas really do seem to like the clay soil around here, there are lots that seem to be enjoying the hot, dry conditions.

But I also rather like the ‘accidental’ gardens that spring up at the base of walls, where all the self-seeded plants make a bid for escape. This lovely combination of species Geraniums and California poppies is very pretty….

There is no stopping this Mexican Fleabane….

The willowherbs are also having a good year – I have accidentally nurtured some American Willowherb in one of my front garden containers, and it’s a good metre tall.

And my pals even have a stray Day Lily popped up outside their house.

And look at this lovely pale pink Musk Mallow, which is also having a very good year, there’s loads in my garden.

And finally, I know I keep going on about the hibiscus trees, but honestly they look so good against a blue sky…

So, what’s happening in your neck of the woods? How is the heat affecting your plants? I’ve never been so glad for a north-facing back garden.