DON"T LIVE IN THE WEST UK

RAINRAINRAIN

BOREDBOREDBORED

GRASSGRASSGRASSGROWING and wet.

R loves alchemilla mollis and it flops out of vases around the house (it goes well with roses and buddleia - but not at the same time).

Unfortunately, when it gets very wet, it also flops onto any plant nearby smothering it. This is great ground cover but has to be managed. Anyway, the problem will be solved soon as it will need to be dead headed before it sets seed.

The beetroot is coming on, broad beans to be harvested, spinach blown, new stuff still there under the netting - HOPEHOPEHOPE.

The poor old plum tree branches are now down to the ground - props needed, 4 pears, 2 apples, 0 damsons - yet. The damson trees are too small having come from plants given to us by my Sister-in-law.

(Her niece N makes Agnes Rose special vinegars etc - has won lots of awards - ask your local deli for Agnes Rose products - www.agnesrose.co.uk.)

Some good news - the agapanthus despite two severe winters has turned from 3 flowers into 6. Perhaps that is because we went to New Zealand and liked it? (Agapanthus grow wild there.)

Alongside the blue of agapanthus is a lovely white rue and Acer negundo flamingo.

Also there is a muted

hollyhock now in its fourth year.

I have been collecting seed from the aquilegia, candelabra primulas and Meum athamanticum (spignel). This is stored in the study in brown paper envelopes ready for sowing soon to give plants for next year.

Meum grows in the wild on damp east facing slopes and I would like to establish it in the garden in a wild setting. Its feathery leaves smell lemony - a bit like dill. In fact the meum growing near Shap beside the roads used to be collected and sent to London as a Dill.

Tip - from friend NC - if you are interested in wild plants Geoffrey Grigson's book, The Englishman's Flora, is stuffed with facts.

It says of Spignel, Meu, Baldmoney that it is also known as Badminnie, Bawdringie, Houka, Micken and Muilcionn!

Highlanders used to chew the aromatic roots as a calmative and stimulant - both?

Must just nip out for a fix.