What is looking good in July 2025

Helenium "Helena Red"

 

Looking good. My echinacea have been producing distorted flowers with missing petals so far.

 

Lobelia laxiflora angustifolia A perennial lobelia that I've had for about 6 years.


Cotoneaster microphyllus from seed, this grows pretty much dead flat against the wall and it is prone to fasciation. It's sibling from the same seed from the same plant grows as a scrubby shrub like the parent.

 

I am delighted ... my Hibiscus syriaacus (done from seed, 1 out of 20) opened its first bloom today ... it has only taken four years ...

 

First water Lily flower in our pond out today.

 

This is the corner which is on the bucket list and gets tap water once a week. Losing the Helenium Red Helena would be a real drama because I haven’t seen it elsewhere after I bought this plant in 2020. I took a part of it in March and planted it in the bed opposite. Both have to survive under all circumstances.
I will grow over winter more echinacea from seed and like Plantminded, fill gaps with grasses IF we will get rain again.

 

That red Helenium is really gorgeous, I can understand you don't want to lose that!

I haven't been watering my Heleniums and they're in the driest part of the garden, but they don't appear to be struggling. Flowers are only just starting to open. We seem to be back in the sunny and dry weather pattern now - no decent rain in the near forecast. Luckily what we had since Sunday has filled my pond up and I've been able to store enough for another top-up if necessary.

 

J Parker seems to have that helenium @simone_in_wiltshire

 

You can see me dancing around the empty butts while praying for rain every day, but it’s just a sign that any kind of religion doesn’t work out as hoped. The dowsing rods once bought in Avebury also show no sign of a secret water source in the garden.

 

Thanks a lot for the info. I will keep their link (IF it ever rains again)

 

My technique is to leave all my good tools, gardening gloves etc lying round the garden, day and night. Not noticeably more successful than you though.

 

@JWK I bought it at my local indie GC two years ago but it was half the size it is now.

 

Thunbergia.



Persicaria Fat Domino



Cotinus Grace.



Heleniums, Verbena, Catalpa and Berberis Orange Rocket.



Hydrangea paniculata

 

Buddleia davidii 'Black Night' (after dead-heading!)






Fewer flowers this year due to a lack of spring rain but Helianthus still putting on a good show





Not sure which variety the above is but a chap in the village (who owns a local GC) gave me a chunk out of his garden years ago. He told me it was Rudbeckia! Here's a closer view.






Runner Bean 'Painted Lady'






One of the many Cosmos that Mrs LS has grown this year.





And another