Just for Today

Some Flowers

This is Pearly Everlasting Anaphasis margaritacea in one of the borders.  It was threatening to invade the lawn earlier in the year, but had its ambition trimmed by the rotary mower, and now seems to be putting its energies into flowering.  It's living up to its pearly name in this photo, taken in the evening after a damp and cloudy day. Like many white blooms, it seems to shine in the early twilight.

Sharing this bed is Crocosmia aurea, also called montbretia.  In previous year this has grown invasively, but not so much this year.  Coscosmia means smelling like saffron. Both this and saffron are members of the crocus sub-family and related to freesia.  Glen and I both liked freesia when we lived in our first house, I remember.

I went to a garden centre with K and G at the weekend.  I wanted a tall plant to complement the dark foliage of the low-growing bugle in two large pots.  The bugle looked quite sickly and mildewed in the spring, but has recovered well.  We found an ornamental grass, Pennisetum, Karley Rose, by name. It looks a little weedy at the moment, but I'm expecting great things from it.

Some Unspectacular Successes

Traditionally, we have used plant pots as a kind of botanical torture device, our patio littered with the twisted, dessicated remains of our containered victims.  This year, among the debris, there have been one or two happy successes, nothing to write home about, but I draw modicum of satisfaction, nonetheless.  Some mint, grown from seed and looking verdant:

Re-potted cuttings of sage, rosemary and lavender:

Rosie

What? More?

Having just dealt with last year's blackcurrants, I find the, er, current crop is almost ready.  This picture is from last Sunday:

Genie and I picked 3½kg on Thursday evening, washed boxed and frozen.  After being cooped up in the house on video calls all day, this was a welcome change of scene and task.  So, should it be wine or jam or both?

There is at least another kg on the bushes.

Juicy!

A Little Unfinished Business

Finally got round to dealing with some of last year's blackcurrants, which have been taking up space in the freezer.  Hope you enjoy out little video.