My garden at the end of July 2018

What a difference to the garden after about 2 months of continuous sunshine! It's very bizarre to say that as a Brit!

Luckily, there has been a bit of rain this week but apparently, it's back to the heat-wave again.  Luckily it is much cooler in Northumberland.

Onto the garden then!

The pretty yellow Chinese-lantern-like plants which I believe that someone identified as a Clematis, have turned to seed and are having a good go at resembling big feathers!

The rather attractively-leafed shrub has now grown some sort of beginnings of a flower which I expect I will share in a subsequent month's post. I wonder what they are and what colour they will be?

I have failed to look after my tomatoes in the way I should, i.e. pinching out side-shoots as I unfortunately left it too long and wasn't sure which the actual real stem was so just left them. Luckily they still seem to be growing tomatoes. None have reddened yet and we aren't there currently. Hoping they don't shrivel up in the sun.

Are these more of the same shrub or something else?

CBC had a theory that the previous owner of our house planted only yellow and green flowers on the right hand side of the garden which did seem to be mainly the case (apart from some Pinks) but then I noticed these red flowers emerging last week. Anyone know their name?

Could this be the year I finally yield courgettes? I do hope so.
Despite two of my plants being decimated by drought and slugs, one plant has survived and is really going for it.  Irritatingly, I only seem to have had male flowers for the last month. Why is that?

But, but, but...
LOOK!  Three days before we went away, I noticed two embryo courgettes at long last! Typically, when we are going away.  I hope my Mum might be able to pay a visit or two to water them!

The Passiflora/Passion flower that I have written about in previous posts is still flourishing and seems to be intent on taking over the house also!  CBC has chopped it back a bit in the meantime which it hasn't taken kindly to!

And the Passiflora seems to to be fruiting.  I have read that these Passion-fruits are edible when they are bright orange  but are not the most tasty. Hurrah! I will try them if they ripen.

Here were the Chinese lanterns before they went totally fluffy!

Mum gave me a tiny sprig of Mitcham mint to see if I could grow my own and I am pleased to say that it is flourishing! This mint has a really delightful aroma.

The lime mint, which came from a cutting from my Dad two years ago has also been loving life in its new pot but is trying to go to seed. I do keep pulling off the flowers as I want to still be drinking mint tea!
The fig, pictured to the side, also has fruits on but I doubt they will reach maturity.  It is enjoying its new pot!

Another shrub is flowering rather prettily. Look, it has yellow bits!

The Verveine has been flowering continuously and has grown taller than I but can you see the Passiflora which has wound its way around and has pulled it to the ground!

Another of our shrubs which rather resembled the Buddlea has also flowered and the Solitary mating bees and Green bottles have been loving it.

I did think that one of my bean plants was surviving but then the snails arrived and put paid to that myth!

My final exterior offering is my Autumn-fruiting raspberry which is finally growing after sulking for the last 6 months after being moved and separated into smaller plants.

Inside, in addition to the magnificent Aloe Vera I mentioned last week, I have managed to keep the Basil plants alive for quite a while and I bought one of them a lovely pot and matching plate in the charity shop last week! I hope it feels loved!

How has your garden been growing this month?

xx