At a certain point each year our seaside garden passes from a neat, orderly state into jungly bedlam. It becomes increasingly hard to move around without getting swiped in the face by a wayward lily, tripped by a flailing jasmine or toppled by a booby-trapped begonia. Getting to the front door requires a machete, if we can find it in the first place. The plants are waging a guerrilla war and will hold their territory until late autumn. I was hoping they might do the decent thing and agree a truce until our National Gardens Scheme open weekend is over, but the intense heat and rain we’ve experienced over the last two weeks has stirred everything into rampant action. My defeat is my own doing, highlighting an appalling lack of restraint when it comes to planting; all at once everything is on top of one another and fighting for supremacy.
The forfeit has been two weekends spent staking, cutting back and reorganising the collection of pots by the front door. Importantly, I have also been removing any dead leaves and flowers. This is for two reasons; first to discourage the army of snails which form a munching platoon at night; and second to avoid any mould and rot setting in. As in all jungle warfare, disease can be devastating, so it’s best not to take any chances and keep the air moving between plants.
The spectacular thunder storms that have been sweeping the country have not passed us by. They have brought welcome rain, although not sufficient to reach the closely packed pots. In front of each storm has been a gusty wind, so staking has been essential to keep top heavy plants from toppling over. In most cases canes have been sufficient, but with plants such as Solanum laciniatum and Echium pininana, tree stakes are the only option. Around the kitchen area, Begonia corrallina (angel wing begonia), Thunbergia gregorii (orange clock vine) and Rhodochiton atrosanguineus (purple bell vine) manage well with a wigwam of split canes.
I had hoped that my wonderful lilies, L. ‘Golden Splendor’ and L. ‘African Queen’, would hold themselves back for our open weekend, but alas they have peaked too soon. Heavy rain has smudged pollen over their lower petals, but they still smell incredible, especially on these still, sultry nights.
Thankfully the dahlias are right on cue, their first flowers just beginning to open. More on these next weekend, but already D. ‘American Dawn’ is a new favourite. Doing especially well this year are the begonias, which I started into growth early and which are now dripping with bloom.
With just two weeks until our open days I am hoping to establish some kind of entente cordiale which will allow visitors to enjoy the garden unmolested. Any pots which are past their best will be secreted away in our basement light wells and the hose and watering cans will be relegated to the cellar. For just once weekend I hope peace will prevail, before manoeuvres begin again…..
Categories: Flowers, Kentish Gardens, Plants, Small Gardens
I empathise – similar “abundance” when I return to my Dublin city courtyard garden.
Your garden looks lovely – lush, colourful and interesting. Good luck with the open days.
Lovely post!
Thank you! I am just hoping it lives up to visitors’ expectations.
Looks lovely and I’m positive people will leave your garden in awe of what you have done with a smaller garden space.
You are very kind Judy. I hope so too 🙂
Fabo, Fabo, Fabo…..goodness looks like the plants are on steroids!!! Even the sink is full… Now this aspect is so wrong, you should be practising filling this with ice and bubbles for the BIG opening when everyone is in awe of your talent. FG it looks stunning..fingers crossed for two weeks that the weather is kind and the little green babies flourish! A beautiful display and worth all the effort, I know your guests will love what they see on open day. H x
I was hoping no one would notice the plants in the sink! They were having a little drink (non alcoholic) before I potted them on. Needless to say I don’t really have room for them, but I am a hopeless case. Don’t worry, it will be bubbles only come early August!
In the space of a few hours this morning the temperature had dropped 8 degrees, so feels much more comfortable now. It looks like we’re in for a couple of weeks of mellow weather, about 22 degrees, which should be perfect for the plants and for me.
Off to buy more stakes now so it all stays upright for a bit longer.
Reblogged this on Linda's wildlife garden and commented:
awesome post thank you for sharing have a blessed day
Looking lovely! Lush and jungly with some great colour combos. Helen
Thank you. That’s praise indeed coming from such an experienced gardener. Much appreciated. Dan
Dare I say it… I find the build up to your open day more exciting than the one to the world cup finals 🙂
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On 20 July 2014 11:48, The Frustrated Gardener wrote:
> The Frustrated Gardener posted: “At a certain point each year our > seaside garden passes from a neat, orderly state into jungly bedlam. > It becomes increasingly hard to move around without getting swiped in the > face by a wayward lily, tripped by a flailing jasmine or toppled by a > booby-tra”
I find almost anything more exciting that the build up to the World Cup finals! Glad I’ve got you hooked 😉
How absolutely gorgeous! It’s amazing what one can do with limited space. You have paradise on your wee plot! I’m a relatively new blogger, and one of my posts was “From a large plot to a postage stamp”. Please let me know what you think. 🙂 Just downsized 2 years ago and would love to get a look like yours.
http://safariofthemind.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/from-a-large-plot-to-a-postage-stamp/
Can’t wait to read your post-open weekend report. Jungly bedlam makes the most interesting gardens to visit! Wish I could be there.
I am secretly quite relieved the lilies will be over as they are at shoulder height and keep daubing me with indelible pollen. Even got it in my hair last week and stained my pillowcases yellow!