I actually quite like the weather we are having at the moment. It suits me just fine thank you. The blistering heat of last week is fine if you are on holiday and have nothing more energetic planned than sitting next to an inviting azure pool, with long cold drink in hand. Most of us however had to battle the daily grind at work or in the home and it was, quite frankly, exhausting. I have to say, however, that of course I do like blue skies, sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures as much as the next person. Throw in a few summer showers and you have the perfect summer day. Especially for gardens.

My little cottage garden wilted under the intense sun. The garden faces south-west. Danger zone on hot dry days. I have slowly come to realise over the past couple of years (with the generally accepted view that global warming means temperatures are slowly rising year on year) that several plants in the front border are unsuitable. My plan this autumn will be to move several plants to other more shady areas of the garden and I have already started to prepare an area alongside the high flint wall that surrounds part of Cottage Garden.

The garden to the front of the cottage will be turned over to a herb and mediterranean garden. At the back of this border I already have an elegant Mount Etna Broom which thrives in the full sun and a wonderful luscious grass that never fails to look good. The sedums do well too and attract bees and butterflies throughout the summer. I already have some lavender, salvia, hebe and geraniums and the plan is to add rosemary, santolina, orange thyme, Sea Holly and Chamomile/Dog Fennel for starters and see where I go from there.

In the meantime here are some success stories.

Jeanne

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