how embarrassing

OK, so it isn't rhubarb..............but it's Chinese rhubarb so an understandable mistake.........no wonder it's grown so much, it apparently reaches a height of 6 ft so i think it's going to have to move house at some point...........
...........the new arch looks good and the rose and jasmine appear to be surviving. this is a long period of drought............we refilled the pond yesterday because it was almost empty, and put the log from Hill House in a strategic spot...............some of the thymes etc at the front seem to have died of thirst and the water barrel is very low.............grass in the wild area all yellow..........strawberries ripening nicely and the courgettes have sudenly grown to a massive size, no flowers yet tho..........some of the new things like the veronica and the angel's fishing-rod looking a bit unhappy and requiring more home-made compost, i must say it does look rather nice.......
........we got a free tree at Hopetoun House summer fair.........a rowan to keep the witches away, now planted at the bottom by the bins..........runner beans now moved to hang on the new arch so they can climb up it................

the new arch - my 10th and Fiona's 60th! 

day lilies in full bloom 

another passion flower!! 

amazing what the blackbird fertiliser does for your rhubarb...... 

just to show how tall they are......... 

day lilies now flowering................ 

we're just so proud of them........ 

worth waiting for.............. 

don't look at me in that tone of voice........ 

eye to eye............ 

sunflowers 

10 today!

.........so my birthday present to myself was an arch for the bottom by the compost bins...........not quite sure what's going to go in that bit yet but i've created an entrance.............very hot and humid today, and next door having a garden party, very Homes and Gardens, with a little band and a buffet.......Fiona's 60th apparently............so i put the arch together to the accompaniment of light music and chatter and the sound of champagne corks...........much to my amazement it all fitted together and no swearing was involved..............
............a rose "Compassion" for the base at one side, and a pink jasmine like the one Katty and Mark have for the other.........and some annual climbers till those grow up...........
............was at Klondyke yesterday too, i still feel sick at the thought of their cafe and they don't have a great stock, but i got an Ipomea called "Sweet Caroline" and another wee thyme............and a tropaeolum for the corner by the bins...........
...........sunflowers now taller than me and big brown flowers, more coming...........the Morning Glory had one morning of glory and that seems to be it............

flaming july

the hottest few days of the year so far..................how relaxing to be able to wander about in not too many clothes, pottering about and pulling the odd weed............i've eaten five strawberries off the three plants, all different flavours, the Elsanta was the sweetest. took Katty and Mark a big bunch of sorrel and chard...........the chard is growing like mad and looks lovely. the sunflowers have shot up and are now eyeballing me in a menacing kind of way, soon they'll be able to look down on the top of my head. bought a variegated vinca for the front in the hope that it will spread.............with the paper down and all the weeds covered, it still looks a bit bare and patchy and could do with some more ground cover............
,,,,,,,,,planted some more thymes and a couple of Pratia in the gravel by the pond..........and put in a new blue grass and angel's fishing-rod in that gap, plus the new veronica divided in two.........
cut down the Himalayan poppy, there is new growth at the bottom and i wonder if it will flower a second time........if i cut the Oriental poppies it will leave a big gap, might need some cheapo annuals.........
.........the pernettya looks to have died and i really should dig it out...........the white Astilbe looks nice and that would give it more room...........
.........courgette plants still growing mightily................morning glory soon ready to flower........tomatoes now have flowers so hopefully fruit soon.........planted the new variegated lavender.............fennel seeds growing apace indoors and should be ready to go out soon.......

first passion flower! 

herb garden and sunflowers......note the hanging herbs and admire the chard.......... 

patio rose now blooming...........lilies soon......... 

this is what you call determination........ 

a rhododendron having a cup of tea.......note the new paeonies........... 

new compost bin layout and new bed!.........the potatoes were lovely............. 

yes, you're gorgeous too darling........... 

just in case the Oriental poppies get jealous............. 

kippering Marion's washing............. 

Carrie's caravan garden, the famous willow............first poppy just out........... 

just for a change, this is a wild violet on Ben Ledi..... 

but they're just so beautiful.......... 

you wouldn't have guessed.......... 

......so proud of them.....