I don't think I've lost anything yet, although one hebe and a couple of ferns look a bit crispy. I haven't watered for the last 3 days (too hot and too busy).My wisteria leaves are curling up which I think is a sign it's short of water but has started blooming again/throwing up long tendrils. Roses are still blooming and some were over their first flush anyway. I think it will be a week or so before I will be able to see if any plants have died. I didn't plant any bedding this year apart from one windowsill trough.
The good news is that we've had very heavy rain today in two bursts with at least two inches of water accidently collected in a tub. Hopefully that might just save things.
One half dead chilli plant given to me by a neighbour a few weeks ago has come alive and actually has chillies on it! They weren't there two weeks ago. They just love the heat.
Just back from two weeks' holiday. Lots of pot plants dead but most things in the ground OK although looking miserable. One large Ajuga seems to have died, also a Heucherella and a Rodgersia. Two ferns, several Astilbes and a Rodgersia look dead but may revive. Hostas may recover but several are brown and crispy. Even Astrantias are brown, although the roses seem in good health. There has been no rain at all here in the East for weeks and none in prospect either. Our soil is sandy loam but fortunately the water table is usually high (although not at the moment) so we usually get through dry spells without too much damage...not any more, I fear.
I'm amazed that things have survived so well, I have lost hardly anything, a few ferns have question marks.
But the borders look dull, flowering on many things has been curtailed and the follow on plants aren't quite ready. The dead heads and heat battered foliage look tatty now. The entire garden is in desperate need of a cut back, I'm going to get RSI from the scissors!
I think I may have lost my contorted willow. It was here long before us and while I wouldn't have planted it, its shape is (was?) pretty integral to the garden.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Lost a newly planted salvia and some zinnia. Radish bolted. Lettuce didn’t heart up but is edible. Quince tree looks very sad and think I will lose the fruit. Petunias also looking leggy but expected pots to suffer. Hardy geraniums have shrivelled but will trim to ground with other herbaceous plants that look sad. Will give them a good drink and see if they come back. If not a trip to nursery at end of September will be needed - hopefully some bargains will be waiting.
Our walnut tree is absolutely loving it. Putting on massive amounts of growth and covered in big fat nuts. I suspect we're on the brink of a squirrel population explosion
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Advice is not to prune shrubs which have died back. Better to let the roots recover than to encourage new growth for the moment.
The rain which fell all yesterday has made very little difference to the plants here. The water has only penetrated the top 2 mm of the mulch, not even reached the soil underneath which is still cracked and dust dry.
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The good news is that we've had very heavy rain today in two bursts with at least two inches of water accidently collected in a tub. Hopefully that might just save things.
Hardy geraniums have shrivelled but will trim to ground with other herbaceous plants that look sad. Will give them a good drink and see if they come back. If not a trip to nursery at end of September will be needed - hopefully some bargains will be waiting.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”