Six on Saturday Mid Year

 It still continues hot and dry, and we may have just had a good shower once whilst we were away this past week.  Next week the forecast shows no rain either, so out comes the fleece to cover young vulnerable plants whilst the sun is over them.

1. On our way back from a long walk on holiday by the sea, we happened to pass interesting gardens, and one had a 'sales' table in the front garden. Inspired by some beautiful Lampranthus whilst we were on Tresco, I picked up three plants each at £1.50. 

 

Combined with some beach combing finds, I emptied the long terracotta pot and have planted all three together together to check on their form and flowering potential. Overwintered later in this, it will also be handy to move into the shed if it get really cold in the winter.  I do have Lampranthus which has survived several winters in the front Mediterranean garden, but those have  much greener fleshier stems and leaves. The one that did not survive had been driven over by some delivery van so I do need to go out there and make a few more plants. For the summer they will add a colourful element along the road side.

2. Another plant bought at a table top sale is this pretty Dierama nodding in the breeze, with its very pale pink almost white  flowers held its long arching stems.  It is has a little pink marking inside.  It didn't flower last year.  In a week or so it will be floating above a sea of Oreganums in flower.

3. A couple of years back I planted an Achillea again no name, bought at a local charity plant sale.  It has silver leaves.  I have no idea of its name, nice one though. It is quite bleached here, but doing well considering it has not been watered.

4. Another orange: Rose Shine On, again not bad colour considering the bleaching effect of the sun.

Orange Rose Shine On.

5. Close by in the same hue is Alstromeria Indian Summer, growing in a large pot. 

6. I do like a curiosity or two and strangely this year the Linaria Canon Went has provided a certain fascination. all self seeded.  I leave the odd plant to give a little height, and since these can be dotted around, look rather pleasing.  I left this very fasciated flower spike as a curiosity. The causes can be various.

On another plant the fasciation is at the very apex of all the flower spike rather than all along the stem.

Again my garden was looked after by a kind neighbour over the last few days, but we are seriously considering a watering system for the pots and may a leaking hose for the veggies.  I wonder what other Sixers may have posted about their garden this week.  I have a treat as I have two weeks to catch up with.  All through the magic portal which Jim opens over on his 'Garden Ruminations Blog'.