An Instagram retrospective of summer 2018
June began with paeonies...
...and continued in the same vein.
...though hardy geraniums and astrantias managed to muscle in on the action, albeit in a supporting role. Less ostentations, more dependable, I’d say.
The roses seemed to be loving the hot weather...
...and while the plants in the borders bulked up, I was left berating myself that it was now too late to do some of the jobs I’d meant to do in spring, whilst wondering how the most rickety of our sheds was still managing to stand upright.
The erigeron had a fabulous summer. Everywhere.
And, as the sun continued to beat down mercilessly with no sign of relief, I took every opportunity to spend a few moments in the shade.
Lawns turned from green to brown, and mowers were retired for several weeks – there was nothing to cut.
On the plus side, skies were blue and cloudless...
...and by midsummer, the big daisies and prairie plants were making the most of the strong light.
In all honesty, it was a little too hot and dry, and even those summer perennials you’d have thought would relish the conditions were showing signs of heat stress, demanding extra irrigation, or just going to seed faster than usual. By the time August arrived, the worst of the drought conditions had passed, the rain returned, and grey skies settled in. Traditional bank holiday weather. And with the appearance of zinnias...
...it seemed we might even begin to think about a change in the seasons.
But whether you prefer to think of this time as high summer, or early autumn, the end of the summer holidays brings harvest, and fruit begins to swell and blush on branch and vine.
And even, down on the shingle by the shore line.
The beginning of September sees the start of meteorological autumn. Is summer done with us? Perhaps not quite yet.
And while there are still dahlias, there’s hope, and light.
How have you found summer in your garden – gloriously hot, or suffocatingly dry? I’d love to hear, either on twitter, or in the comments below.
If you’d like to receive blog posts in your inbox as soon as they are published, enter your email in the box below to be added to the Gardens, weeds & words mailing list.
Hello! I’m Andrew, gardener, writer, photographer, and owner of a too-loud laugh, and I’m so pleased you’ve found your way to Gardens, weeds & words. You can read a more in-depth profile of me on the About page, or by clicking this image.