It’s been a beautiful day here in Walsall today, plenty of warm sunshine after a week of very mixed weather (but as I write, there’s thunder over the rooftop!). I have to admit that I’ve felt just a little fed up of lock down over the last few days and I’m really missing my colleagues at work – it’s just not the same working in a bedroom at home and speaking to them on ‘Teams’, but I just have to remember that needs must and we are safe and well, others have not been so lucky. Part of my luck of course is that we have our lovely garden – today my six comes from the front garden, which is looking great because Chris has worked so hard to improve it over the last two months:

Sisyrinchium striatum is a useful plant if you like a self seeder! The soil isn’t brilliant in our front garden, but does drain extremely well as there is a deep layer of hardcore left from a previous driveway. There are plants that seem to thrive and this one is a prime example (although it needs to be kept in check).

Digitalis lutea is a shade loving perennial that seems to love our sunny front garden! It’s another self seeder and as a bonus, in a variety of shades. Growing to approximately 2 feet tall, it prefers well drained soil. It’s an elegant plant, bee friendly and for me, really attractive.

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Cephalaria gigantea, the giant scabious is another reliable perennial and grows to a statuesque 5 feet in height. If you want to photograph bees, this is the plant to attract them as they sit very still on single flowers, feasting themselves for an age. Another key feature, yes you’ve guessed it – a prolific self seeder.

Many years ago I visited the Garden Museum in London and was impressed by a curved evergreen hedge sheltering a hidden bench. I loved the idea of it and set about planting my own ‘hedge settee’ using beech and a curved stone bench. It’s positioned in a very open space, but concealed all the same – just the place for a tea break!

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Having given the curving border in the garden a long overdue renovation (weeds had taken over), Chris was left with a bare patch and has put it to great use – we now have beetroot, sweetcorn and radishes growing well and not looking at all out of place!

A surviving rose from the my early gardening days – I don’t know its name as the label is long gone, but in case anyone thinks they recognise it, it is a repeater, requires very little pruning and has a strong perfume……

Keep safe and well!

For more SoS please visit its home at: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/