Let’s just get straight into Six on Saturday today…
1. Mrs OMAHGT and I headed to London last weekend to see Eric Hutchinson give a rare UK concert. While we were there we did a few touristy things, including a visit to the Tower of London. After 3 hours we were well and truly historied out and sought some quiet solace at ‘Superbloom,’ the flower garden in the Tower’s moat. If I’d been a bit quicker with the old camera phone I’d have included a photo of a hornet mimic hoverfly that landed on my knee whilst I was sat down applying the old spf30 sunscreen.
2. On my own little patch of green is this Fuchsia ‘Army Nurse.’ She’s looked very sorry for herself this summer, struggling with both the heat and a lack of H2o. Thankfully, she’s perked up a bit after all the heavy rain we’ve had of late.
3. The border in the front garden is also looking more cheery, thanks mainly to the Zinnias that appear to be shrugging off the attentions of the slugs and snails. What was that? Famous last words? You’re probably right.
4. Also growing out the front is one of the few Calendula to have made it to flowerhood this year. Still, one Calendula is better than no Calendula and ‘Snow Princess’ is a beauty.
5. The Astrantia that last featured back in the beginning of July is having a second flush of flowers. And very lovely it is too…. whatever variety it may be.
6. And finally…ish… Aster frikartii ‘Jungfrau,’ bejeweled with raindrops. Around this time last year I said I was going to divide it to create a few more plants. And have I? Err… no.
To end, a sneaky flashback to some Lily of the Valley, one of the late Queen’s favourite flowers. Rest in peace HM Queen Elizabeth II and to quote P. Bear, thank you Ma’am, for everything.
They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Ooh isn’t it lovely to see some of the plants coming back for a second flush of colour?
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It is indeed! The plants have really enjoyed all the rain we’ve had this week.
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Each time I see everyones zinnia photos I’m tempted to try the magain but not sure I can be bothered with the slug defences. The astrantias are doing well. Got some on the 2nd and 3rd flowerings.
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Zinnias are a pain. I think the dry weather really helped them do well this year, deterring the slugs and snails when they were younger plants.
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Wait dividing the Aster till the Spring time…said from experience.
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Thank you. Yes, I think Carol Cline said the same thing. It really needs moving too as it’s flopping over the path.
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Great to see a second bloom and pretty calendula! Mine haven’t reappeared yet
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Fingers crossed yours reappear soon.
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Snow Princess is a delight, one of the ones you gave me seed for. What happened to your other Calendulas then? Hope all went well with the exam results btw. Have you started studying for the next lot?
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I don’t know what went wrong with the Calendulas. I had quite a few grown from seed but I guess they snuffed it in the heat (I wasn’t very good at watering them). They’re supposed to seed themselves but don’t seem to. I start studying again on the 19th. You? I only discovered the exam results had been released when I noticed people tweeting about them last week (I assumed there would be a notice or something). Miraculously all was well (that soil and root environment exam was really nasty). I hope yours went well too.
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Yeah the soil one was the hardest of the 4 I’ve done so far, it was kind of confusing (I did that one in Feb). Passed the last two which am pleased and relieved about as I had Covid at the time of the exams and wasn’t feeling great! Have already started on R2111, we really have our work cut out for us on that, check out how many plants we need to learn 😱🥸!
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Oh no, not more plant names! Well done on passing the others.
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I do love that calendula! So far I’ve failed to find seed in the US. Maybe next year.
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Baker Creek has them: https://www.rareseeds.com/snow-princess-calendula
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Thank you!
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I hope you manage to find some. I must seek out some more for next year.
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How lovely 🌸🦋 love your asters and dahlias. I optimistically planted some asters here this winter. Hope they cope with our heat.
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Fingers are crossed for your asters, Mine has coped with the dry and heat okay so hopefully yours will be fine.
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‘Snow Princess’ is a darling, I might have to try that one. I have just pulled out most of this year’s Calendulas as the recent weather has finished them off. Hopefully some will reseed for next year, but I do intend to radically reform my raised beds area. The moat flower garden looks rather lovely. We’re considering a week in London next spring just to visit some of the museums and parks. Any tips on a cheap hotel?
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We’ve tended to stay at Premier or Holiday Inns of late as they’ve been handy location wise and you kind of know what to expect, whereas a few other hotels we’ve stayed in have been a bit hit and miss.
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Thanks for that, I was considering a Premier Inn, like you say, you know what to expect.
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The Astranta is pretty, and I hope mine flower this year. The Calendula is lovely; I just have the common one flowering in my garden. I also love the Aster. The photos from the garden in London are lovely.
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Thank you. You can’t beat the common Calendula – I wish some of mine had grown.
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That Astrantia is even more beautiful in closeup. Lovely colours but I hope the S&S haven’t taken your comment as a challenge.
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One of the Zinnias does look slightly more munched today so they may well have done…
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