the sea holly has been amazing for the bees this year, even more amazing is that I grew it from seed (few years ago) and, after a slow start, it got established and blooms wonderfully now
The spear thistle is biennial so hit and miss if I have any. Last year I only had one. This year I have a few which have also been great for the bees.
the lesser knapweed blooming and attracting bees
A few huge teasels attracting the bees.
Refreshing the rosemary I'm trying to establish in the trough along the driveway.
1. I had to replace the previous one which seems to have died so this is fresh and green.
2. This is struggling a little but will keep up regular watering.
3. A second new one to replace one that wasn't successful.
4. This one needed some compost around the base which I added.
5. This one is still alive but struggling a little.
6. This one is one of the most successful which is surprising as it's most in the sun so worried it might dry out.
water in the garden is essential for all the animals, including the cats, so I put out bowls of water
even though the bowls are easy to drink from, Victor prefers the top of the watering can
my water plants are still in dishpans until the ground is not so rock-hard and I am able to dig a pond
purple loosestrife? amongst the water mint
the liatris is great, bees enjoying it too
dahlias on the left
the Verbascum Arctic Summer was partly destroyed by mullein moth caterpillars but has recovered a lot, so much that bees are visiting
bees on the sea holly, so many bees every day, been a great success this year
giant scabious with bees
ragwort with bee
butterfly on verbena bonariensis
wider view of the butterfly in situ
spear thistle bud just opening
I found the amaryllis bulbs I'd put in the shed had sprouted so thought I should plant them up. One had a bulblet which I don't think I've seen on an amaryllis bulb before.
bulblet potted up
I put the bulbs on top of pebbles in pots and vases
and one in a vase; I had this (large) hyacinth vase handy on the window sill as I'd bought it on ebay recently, otherwise I'd have to get out one of my amaryllis vases which I'd put away after the forcing season.
