Cosmos and the Garden in August

 

On my posting of the 27th March, I described how I was following Monty Don's instructions on Gardener's World on sowing Cosmos seeds 

I planted  them in a tray in the conservatory. Then in April they were beginning to show signs of growth.

In May they were doing well.

Later in May they were transplanted into pots (where they are disappointing) and in the long border where they have flowered well.

They are even nice as a cut flower.

As they were so poor in pots, next year I will try something else. But it is nice to grow flowers from seed, and a lot cheaper. There is something about Cosmos at the moment. I have seen a couple of pictures of stately homes with these flowers at the front, and on Gardner's World, Monty stands in front of the ones he planted.

On the subject of seeds, I sowed some free Eschscholzia (try saying that after a couple of gins) "Orange King" in the conservatory border. Apparently Californian poppy. Not really the right place for them.

But as cuttings they look a lot better.

Also far better as cuttings are the gladioli purple flora. They look so out of place in the border (note no photos there) but as a cut flower they are quite dramatic. Almost too much so. They will be replanted somewhere more appropriate in March.

Two years ago I planted these Hostas called fire and ice in pots for the side patio. This year they flowered again(see post in July) and although the flower stalks are gone, the leaves still look great.

However, those Hostas on the other side of the house have not been as good as last year. So come the autumn, they will be split and repotted.

I cannot remember ever including a photo of the front border, but this year the two geraniums have flowered well.

Into late summer and the Rudbeckia are in flower.

However, they are the only colour in the hot bed, it having been cleared of all the weeds that love this wet summer.

Some of the roses are blooming for the second time. 

The pink salvias are more like a bush.

The Asters are always late flowering. Hopefully there will be a lot more in September.

The large Hypericum that I chopped right down to the ground in spring after it all looked dead after that harsh winter, has revived and the first flower has appeared.

And a shrub that always flowers at the end of summer. The Hibiscus has lots of flower buds so should look good in September..

The Acanthus is almost past it's best.

And a repeat flowering for the Astrantia in the main border.

Not sure why the honeysuckle is flowering at this time of year.

There is a separate post for the dwarf dahlias. But in the last week in August, they are at their best. And we can see them out of the kitchen window.