Around the garden.

The Lilies have emerged in the last few days. The heat giving them some encouragement. I love their heady scent but find it a bit too strong for in the house…not that I would dream of cutting these beauties. They thrive in this bed which has very good drainage. I really must plant some more.

The shady border beside the chalet has mostly white flowers at the moment…Galega, Yarrow and Shasta Daisies. Soon the Sedum will turn red giving a new focal point.

The pond which is here just over a year is full of life… especially Pond Skaters… loads of them. The Water Lily is producing another couple of blooms. I just love Water Lilies.

Flowering Fennel has the insects in ecstacy…they just adore it. Loads of Hoverflies,  Bees and Bumble Bees  about today. Nice to hear a buzz in the air. For so much of this Summer we did’nt have that…

In the polytunnel Dahlias are in flower. Dahlias don’t do well outside here…the ground is too heavy and wet. I planted tubers in big pots this year and they are doing well. They get an occasional feed with the Comfrey and Nettle liquid feed.

 Purple Teepee Beans are ready for harvesting. They lose their purple colour when cooked but they do look so great when they’re growing. Beans have done well this year. Broad Beans gave a huge crop…then we had the Green Bush Beans. An abundant year…despite the weather.

Grapes are starting to colour too…better clean out them demijohns…soon be wine making time!

Succulents are amongst my fave plants. So easy to grow and propogate. This Sempervivium has produced lots of babies. They can just be broken off, planted in a gritty compost and hey presto you have a new plant!

Rainy days and climate change.

What’s happened to the weather? Not just in Ireland, but all over the world,  this year has broken records everywhere. The wettest Summer in the UK since 1860. Same in Ireland. In USA there has been  record high temperatures  resulting  in serious problems for agriculture. The end result will of course be food shortages and higher prices for available supplies. Today, 17th July, is a wet mizzly day here in Arigna. It should be Summer!!

There’s definitely a change in the climate worldwide. The Irish Summer now seems to be March, April and May. Wet and dull through until September when we get another blast of good weather. I was reading earlier how the wet Summer has disrupted the cafe culture in Paris. Can’t blame people for not wanting to sit out in the rain sipping coffee. This then has a knock on effect on businesses and livelihoods. Here in Ireland agriculture is in serious trouble. Farmers can’t make hay or silage and the grass is starting to rot in the fields. Potatoes will be expensive this year as the crops have started to rot in the earth. A bit of a doomsday scenario but that’s how it is. How anyone can deny climate change now is beyond me.

 I’m amazed that flowers are blooming despite the lack of sunshine. Sunday was a fab day but that’s been the only good day for weeks. These Lilies were in bloom today but they won’t last long if the rain continues.

Shasta Daisies hang their heads low, weighed down with rain…

 Rosa Ragusa looking similarly droopy. Of course there’s few insects to be seen. I was to be involved in the Butterfly count this year but there’s been few opportunities. What happened to all the Bumble Bees and Butterflies there were about in May I wonder?

In the micro climate of the polytunnel a solitary Bumble Bee enjoys a newly emerged Dahlia. Glad I planted these in pots indoors as I don’t think they would have done any good outside.

I also spotted a Green Veined White Butterfly on a Rose. Can you see it? There were a few more of these Butterflies about but that was all the insect activity I could see today. Mid July, the air should be filled with the sound of buzzing insects! So sad!

On a more positive note the Peaches are almost ripe, in the polytunnel of course. I test them by cupping the fruit in my hand and gently pulling. If ripe the fruit will come away. Another way to test for ripeness is to see if the flesh around the stem is soft. Test carefully though as Peaches bruise so easily. Another day or two to wait for this one.

August Flowers @ Prospect Cottage.

The Lilies are standing up well to the horrible weather. It’s more like Autumn here than high Summer.

This lovely velvet flowered Ivy Leaved Geranium is in a wall pot by the back door.

Montbretia just beginning to flower. This will have to be divided in the Autumn as it is spreading like crazy.

A late flowering Carnation among the Alyssum.

One of the little Fuschias that survived last Winter’s frosts with a Harebell in front.

In the hedgerow the wild Fuschia is flowering. Now growing wild in many areas it is the symbol used in Cork on quality artisan produce.