This summer, in so many ways, has been disappointing in the garden. While the tomatoes seemed to have started off quite well, my favourite 'Tumbling Jester' doesn't seem to be doing much now. Tomatoes need sunshine. So do I, for that matter. The summer-flowering jasmines (I have three growing up my wooden fences) haven't exactly put on a glorious exhibition of flowers this year, and the list of disappointments goes on—hence the lack of posts recently. I won't bore you with it. I will tell you that the
Sarah Raven's 'Midnight Blues' Sweet Peas which I have growing up an obelisk are producing beautiful fragrant blooms on long stems (although not enough of them for me to be wowed - again, I blame the weather). Star prize of the year so far goes to the upright
annual lobelia 'Crystal Palace' because for the few pounds it cost to buy a couple of trays of plugs the display has been simply wonderful and long lasting. (ignore the lawn, I know it looks an untidy shambles right now - again, blame the weather).
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| Upright annual lobelia 'Crystal Palace' |
If you want a temporary little edging plant, do try Crystal Palace lobelia. I will certainly be using it again. The colour is deep and rich, so very vibrant, and goes very well with other plants. The individual plugs were spaced about 8in (20cm) apart but they have grown and joined together. Lovely.
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| Sarah Raven's 'Midnight Blues' Sweet Peas |
The hanging baskets along my east-facing house wall are looking lovely and filled with
Swingtime and Southgate fuchsias. So that's another success. Note: as mentioned in an earlier post,
Swingtime seems to be the stronger and more vigorous of the two types.
