I spent a few days away from the garden last week and it is always good coming home to see how the plants are developing.  Because of the very warm weather and sunshine there is much to see – and also gaps that I must note down so that I can fix them later in the year.  For example, I thought I had plenty of dwarf narcissus ready to brighten things up, but I haven’t – so they are on my bulb list.  Likewise the new crocus I bought have been lovely, so I shall order some more, and make notes for myself now of where they will look best.

Looking ahead to late summer colour I planted up the new dahlia tubers, their names make for an interesting scenario – try this.  What comes to mind when you put the Bishop of Canterbury & the Bishop of Auckland together with Summertime, Swan Lake, Roxy and Rosamunda?  A  seasonal night out at the ballet for members of the clergy perhaps? I’ve ordered the dahlias from Sarah Raven again as the ones I bought last year were so fabulous – I’m hoping for a repeat performance, weather permitting they will start to flower in late summer and continue right until the frosts.