What is looking good in July 2025

The sunflower seeds feeder used to hang here,
obviously this one escaped sterilisation!

 

Astilbe today

 

Mrs LS keeps coming home with "real finds" from (of all places) Home Bargains. I'm usually a bit sniffy when I know where she's been but I have to admit this latest plant had me intrigued. When I felt its flowers I was convinced she'd inadvertently bought an artificial plant. But no - it turns out Xerochrysum bracteatum also goes by the name of 'Yellow Paper Daisy' or 'Everlasting Flower'. I kid you not - the petals really feel like stiff paper!












And, lovely as it is, she only paid £2.99 for it.

 

This Verbena bonariensis has been a constant attraction for bees and butterflies in front of my seating area, providing an excuse to sit down and watch!



Miscanthus flowers with Buddleia davidii Royal Red, nicer than I expected as it's more of a deep magenta.



Dahlia Waltzing Matilda, one of the most intriguing flowers in my garden as every one on the same plant is different and they change as they age.

​

 

@LunarSea the strawflower is normally an annual. I grow it from seed to get a good range of colours to pick and dry

 

It'll certainly be an annual here @CarolineL! It's a new one on me but looks really good in a pot by the front door alongside Lavender. Great value.

 

Mmmm ..... you've got me thinking now @Plantminded - our Buddleia might be Royal Red after all. I bought it as Black Night many years ago but like you I'm pleased with the colour it's turned out to be.

Are your Miscanthus usually flowering this early? None of our three are showing any signs yet, although I guess I'm not really expecting the Morning Light to flower.

 

Sinningia cardinalis very different flower to Sinningia tubiflora actually a bit like some salvia flowers.


Agapanthus campanulatus.


Clematis "Kermesina"


Acanthus hungaricus.


This is a legume, grown from seed has taken years to flower. Probably Indigofers heterantha thanks to @pete and @Michael Hewett for jogging the memory.


Geranium "Anne Folkard"


Acanthus sennii very spiky foliage, stems are spikeless fortunately. In Ethiopia used as a live fence.


Myrcia selloi

 

The Legume might be Indigofera, @NigelJ .
I've also been growing that Sinningia cardinalis, I have it outside this year, usually grown it as a greenhouse plant, many years ago I'm sure Suttons had it described as Gesneria texa, but cant find any reference to that these days.
I have another Sinningia but the name escapes me at the moment.

 

I had a lobelia laxiflora I were quite fond of it but didn't make it through winter , probably got dry out with lifting it . Acanthus senni looks lethal to , I touch a Acanthus flower last year which give me a sharp surprise .

 

@pete Sinningia cardinalis I got from Dibleys earlier this year.
I've also got S leucotricha.

 

Agapanthus Luly.


Windsor Grey.


Echinacea Lakota Red.

Lakota Yellow.

 

@Perki Fortunately I've not needed to lift the Lobelia and it just keeps ticking over.
I find all Acanthus to be spikey, but A sennii really is nasty.

 

I grew mine from seed, I've not taken pictures, (apparently) of the other one I have, it flowered a few weeks ago, but a second flowering is coming along.
S. tubiflora is just starting to flower for me now.

 

Eupatorium. This is where the honey bees are all heading, now that they've polished off the drumstick alliums. I cut half of them back at the end of May and that half is now starting to flower at a much more sensible height and not flopping all over the place. So I will chop the whole lot next year.



Zinnia


Liatris


Tutsan


Hazelnuts


Spearmint