Certain jobs never seem to stop as more willow herb areas are cleared and the rest beheaded, but there always seem to be further patches that have just been waiting in hiding. It is important though to keep going, as with the nettles, to maintain an order of things.

 

One major job completed is the construction of two new wooden aqueducts by the Middle pond and the Lower pond. These have long given problems, but were exacerbated by further storm damage to these areas earlier in the year. The new structures are running freely, as intended, water and the movement of water being centrally important to how visitors experience the garden.

 

Our replacement greenhouse finally arrives and is built, ready for next year. A few things will begin to occupy the staging. It is interesting to see how this empty transparent structure somehow fills out and completes the Kailyard area of the garden.

 

The Temple pool is cleaned out – the water supply having become erratic after the long dry spell, the pond weed flourishing. A start too is made on keeping the Upper pond running freely.

 

The next large task in a similar vein will be the weeding out of the Lochan again as conditions this year have seen rapid regrowth of the potamogeton. We are considering a different long term approach by introducing some more fish – grass carp – into the water here as these feed on young shoots and curtail growth. It must be worth a go.

 

Meadowsweet replaces flag iris creating a wonderful frothy display around the edges of the lochan. However it also causes a problem by falling in on the perimeter path and has to be clipped back to allow for access. A balance to everything.

 

Willow is stripped of lower branches to retain its formal shape in the Parkland setting – some of these are planted up as whips for future renewals – as we also lose another large specimen, split at its base which collapses over the three stone posts in the stream (LEAF BARK BOAT) but causes no damage.

 

Grass cutting continues. The repaired sections are still patchy where resown.

 

Gaps in perennial beds are filled in – scabious in the front garden beneath the redcurrants along the fishing boat pavers path and actaea in amongst the geraniums at the base of the front hedge, as well as tiarella which is pretty in a shady spot near to the front door.

 

A cedar of Lebanon, brought on from seed, is planted behind the Elegy bench at the top corner of the lochan. A fine prospect for 50 years time.

 

Yellow raspberries ripen on the hillside. Black and red currants are filling out. The bramble berries have formed. Fruit for the republic.

 

By the Camouflaged Flowers on the hillside the cotoneaster has put on a lot of fresh unruly growth and is pruned back into the intended shape and effect of rolling waves.

 

So this is it, the height of summer: flip-flopping weather, quiet and busy days. The time when the garden should be seen in all its changes.