Temperatures are hovering around 20°C which quite suits me. The weather is generally mixed with some rainfall, although the ground remains hard. Some thunderstorms are forecast, starting today, but it will be interesting to see what transpires as they often seem to miss us. I am afraid this post is rather rushed and will consist mainly of just pictures.
This little beauty popped up out of the blue. There have been several years when some poppies have emerged, but so far, none as nice as this one.
I have several astilbes, as they do well in the damp, shadier parts of the garden. I don’t know the name of this one but I think it has a nice balance between the red of the flower, and the dark green foliage.
I felt I had to include Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ even though it currently must be one of the most commonly seen border plants. I always think if a plant is that popular, it must be good. You certainly can’t miss it!
Peacock butterfly on a buddleia. There have been plenty of butterflies this year I am pleased to say. This one wouldn’t keep still, despite having strong words with it, hence the slightly blurry image for which I apologise. As the buddleias go over, my Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) will take over and provide nectar, usually until the first frost.
This is a hydrangea that I inherited. At one stage I was going to dig it up but relented as I rather like the colour.
This Alstroemeria is one of the Summer Paradise series ‘River Valley‘ a characteristic of which are the variegated leaves. Unfortunately the flowers are not looking their best, but I think this occurs with most alstroemerias as they don’t seem to wear well.
This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.
A Plantsman's World 
Nice catch on the peacock butterfly. Butterflies surely love the buddleia, but around here it is considered invasive, so I won’t plant it in my yard, but secretly enjoy it in other people’s gardens.
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Thank you. That is the best of six photos I took. The blasted thing wouldn’t stay still! Buddleias are getting bad press here, but I will keep feeding the bees and butterflies and removing the flower heads as they die off.
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This is what I do with aggressive plants like mint (culinary), but Agastache is getting the side eye from me because it wants to take over the world, so I think there will be more dead heading this year. I like watching the birds feed, but dang! I tried to get a picture of a Monarch today and it flew off before I could get the camera up!
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Your hydrangea is very similar to the one I featured today. It doesn’t have a name either. Lovely alstroemeria, I really must get one, I’m sure I can squeeze it in somewhere. My favourite is the lilac poppy – gorgeous.
By the way, I collected some eccremocarpus seed today, you are very welcome to have some if you like. Just email me your address and I’ll get them off to you.
Have a great week
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I have commented on your post regarding the hydrangea, as I read that first. I think it is an unusual colour. The alstroemeria is a very compact plant, I am assuming this applies to all the the Summer Paradise series. Thanks for the offer of seed, but a friend took pity on me and gave me a plant of eccremocarpus so I am okay.
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Yes, I like the colour of your Hydrangea too.
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It is not in the ideal place, but the colour does appeal so it will stay for at least another year. I would move it but I have literally nowhere to put it.
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This alstroemeria Summer Paradise ‘River Valley’ flower is a rarely seen colour. Thanks for sharing it. And if only I had pink hydrangeas like this. Here they are… blue of course.
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The alstroemeria scores with me on both the colour and the leaf variegation. You may not have a pink hydrangea but you have lots of things I can’t grow here.
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20 C sounds great! We have white peacock butterflies here.
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I looked up the white peacock, what a lovely thing. 20°C is just right for my northern blood!
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The hydrangea is superb, I’m pleased you didn’t dig it up!
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It is a very different colour. I would move it but have literally nowhere to put it. I think it is safe for a while yet.
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Lovely poppy, such an unusual colour. Lovely astilbe too, mine have all shrivelled, I think my underground stream must have dried up!
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Thanks, the poppy was a big surprise. Shame about the astilbe. Perhaps it will come again when conditions improve.
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Such a beautiful Poppy. I saw a Peacock butterfly in the garden last week for the first time this year. I wish I had somewhere damp enough to grow Astilbes, they’re so pretty.
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I have more butterflies than usual this year, particularly Peacocks. I think it must be connected with the hot, dry spring.
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