Those of you living and gardening in the UK do not need me to tell you that we are ‘enjoying’ one of the hottest June/July periods for some time, with day time temperatures reaching 30c. Whilst for many of you reading this in other parts of the world this may not be unusual, but here it is , testing both the gardener and their plants.
These plants featured are the drought busters in Our Garden@19. Interestingly I originally grew them all from seed, except for the allium, also some of them have since self seeded around the garden.
The wild chicory towers above almost every thing in the garden, here in the herb bed, growing through the standard gooseberry. It is a beautiful shade of light blue.
Also towering above everything else are the teasels, this is the first year I have grown them. Listening to a talk by Fergus Garrett inspired me to plant them and they allow them to self seed around Great Dixter. They are good for wild life especially the pollinators and the seeds are said to be loved by Goldfinches in winter. I have only planted two in the garden, they can dominate if left to their own devices.
Common Teasel.
The ‘thistle-like’ plants always do well in dry conditions, here Echinops ritro, is yet to bloom…
…also ‘Miss Willmotts Ghost’, I do like this spiky plant. It is I think, a little like the lady it was named after. Especially if you worked for her.
The wild carrot has seeded itself around the garden including here between two paving slabs, thus preventing anyone from sitting on this chair!
Similarly the Lychnis of both colours have seeded in the gravel…
…and the Linaria seeds around everywhere!
In a sunny spot by the banana bench and in the alpine boxes on the south side of the house, is Dianthus carthusianorum, with its clusters of diminutive deep pink flowers.
I am ending with this single Allium ‘Red Mohican’. I wish I had more!
An interesting fact about these plants is that several of them were for sale during our open weekend and very few of them sold, because, I guess, they were not in flower at that time.
I wonder if they would sell now?
Do you have any ‘Drought Busters’ in your garden?
brimfields.com 
I have a few of the plants you mentioned Brian. Thankfully everything is surviving here ok but lets hope for some rain as well as the sunshine. 🌼
LikeLike
Unfortunately there is no rain forecast for sometime, lower temperatures would help the plants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brian for this comforting post. 😊. I am struggling with watering and feeding but the heat is too much for some plants, they flower a short while and wilt.
I do however have all of the ones you show, except the same Alium.
I believed some of those plants were weeds but they turned out to look really nice.
Feel good to know a gardener like you like these plants.
Miriam
LikeLike
I like to call them wild flowers!
LikeLike
These are beautiful, Brian!
LikeLike
Thank you Pete and they are all enjoyed by the insect world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Miss Willmott’s Ghost’ is very pretty. I like the tiny, but bright, dianthus.
It has been hot here, too. Aside from the sedum, sempervivum and herbs, I find several of the geraniums (G. lancastriense, sanguineum, macrorrhizum) to be very tough indeed.
LikeLike
Our climate is so variable. If we plant all sun lovers we will probably have a wet summer next year!
LikeLike
Murphy’s Law!
LikeLike
A useful list! I used to have chicory in the wild area but I seem to have lost it. Must get some for the borders then.
LikeLike
It is the first time I have grown wild chicory and am delighted with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not at all familiar with Dianthus carthusianorum. It looks delightful but then I’ve never met a form of dianthus I didn’t like… 😉
I’ve wondered about having a try with Eryngium but I never find it available locally. Probably a bad sign, but perhaps one day I’ll try from seed. Any advice for starting it? I’m terrible with seeds…
Anything I grow must, of course, be drought-tolerant to some degree, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Cerinthe and Nigella. They are winter flowers here, but do so well on scant watering in season.
LikeLike
As with so many of these type of plants seed germination is improved in a very gritty compost mix.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We once grew teasels on the plot primarily for birds but it became a weed so we got rid of it. I do like Mrs Wilmot’s Ghost but I’m not sure where we would plant one in our garden.
LikeLike
I realise teasels can take over, Sue as with all self sowers, I will have to keep an eye on it.
LikeLike
Interesting post Brian…..it’s been hard this year, snow, wet and drought. I planted out all my succulents in the garden in the front instead of annuals. Pleased as the conservatory where they usually are placed has been far too hot if we have to shut it up when we are out.
LikeLike
Conservatory’s can be difficult to manage for plants at the best of times let alone with temperatures we have this summer.
LikeLike
I only plant things that don’t need watering – not just through laziness but because I think there’s more important things to use water for – so looking at your plants and taking notes. I think I’ll leave the teasels for the fields but I adore Miss Willmott’s Ghost in all its stages. Of course, Miss Willmott was an Essex girl so that makes it even better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
While it had been so warm for so many others, our summer had been remarkably mild. We finally got warm weather today. It was rather unpleasant because it was also humid, but except for the humidity, warmth is normal for us. It had been warmer in Portland than here (near San Jose) for a while. It was downright hot in Los Angeles today. I know we will get it too soon enough.
LikeLike
This weather is just so unusual for us Tony.
LikeLiked by 1 person