This week’s blog begins with a weather update, starts with six garden things, and closes with a birdsong guessing game update.

The beautiful red rose standard in the gold pot has bloomed after weeks of dormancy. It’s the boldest indicator of the garden bursting back into flower after many weeks of dormancy in the drought. We have had a couple of days with some heavy rain, and that has really boosted the plants.

The sedum… with a fly. These are the among the most resilient plants and bugs around in this space. Sedums have kept the place looking green and bright while other plants wilt and flop.

The apple tree seems to have stopped dropping fruit, and this morning the disco ball here really caught the morning sunshine.

The Japanese anemone is in flower, and looking marvellous.

Another waterlily bud has emerged, and the pond is getting fuller. Lovely husband used rainwater from the butts to top it up. I may have stood out in the rain doing a little jig and listening to the waterbutts fill. That wouldn’t really be so strange would it?

In the front garden, the boxball is a tactile thing that many visitors have commented on. Although I expect that my lovely husband would wish I’d clipped that little stray sprut before posting this snapshot. The olive in its pot is also doing well, and the Mexican daisy has formed an enormous clump by the front door, pretty much unbothered by the heat.

So that’s my six for this Saturday, to share with garden bloggers at ‘garden ruminations.’ Pop over to see what else is growing on this week.

Or, stay for an update on the birdsong guessing game I made. It’s got sparklier, more widescreen, and players can now win medals when they guess the birds! Watch the promo video below for an idea of how it goes, and play the game at https://bird-times.lovable.app/Birds

So that’s it from me this week,

Enjoy your raindances, birdsongs and garden higlights, and have a lovely week

Jen xx