Garden Diary – From escaping Aubergines to rescuing Dahlias

I don’t know what’s going on with my Aubergines, but both plants have set fruit so low that they are having to grow outside the pot, it looks ever so funny like they are trying to escape.

Also in the greenhouse, the variegated chilli plant that I mentioned a while back has turned out to be quite a stunner, with purple in the variegated leaves. The chillies are growing vertically, initially black but then gradually turning scarlet, which we all know is a sign of danger!

I’ve been spicing up my food with the reasonably hot, and beautifully purple ‘Buena Mulata’, but the ‘gardeners mate’, – his new title after a few giggles on social media at ‘under gardener’ 😁 – has been getting his taste buds tingling with some super hot Nagas!! I’m saying nothing, for a change lol.

On the flower front, the begonias in granny’s dolly tub that I overwintered have taken some getting going, but finally are a real show. I thought just typical that a storm should be forecast just as they start to look good.

Anyway the storm came to nothing but a bit of wind, which was a relief in some ways but I was hoping for some substantial rain. We’d gone around the night before checking for any loose apples. Some Discovery came off and we’ve been enjoying them.

And so the drought continues. The white garden looks the worst as it’s by far the driest area with the mighty walnut tree shading it and holly hedge running down one side. Luckily the Japanese anemones are still shining out, despite being shorter than usual. I once saw them growing in tarmac so no surprise really.

The flowers that are surprisingly me by doing so well are the roses, which I thought would be really struggling with the heat. The red rose that we found here all those years ago, has never performed so well!

Verbena bonariensis has still seeded itself all around the garden popping up here there and everywhere. And cupids dart ‘Catananche caerulea’ seem to be on a second flush and very popular with the hover-flies.

The tomato harvest continues at a steady pace and has been joined by the courgettes which once they get going, there’s no stopping them until autumn! Time to dig out all the courgette recipes!

I also ended up with a new plant last week after a visit to the shop to buy more garden stakes. There were rows of dead plants and nearly dead plants that hadn’t been watered.

It really does make me so mad when such efforts have been put into growing them in the first place. Anyway one dahlia didn’t look too bad so I brought it home and revived it. A happy ending all around.

Monday 4th August 2025

The begonias I saved from last year have taken a while, but got there eventually! 🌿💕💕💕 #MagentaMonday

Off to a new garden nursery today with a friend. If I don’t get drowned or blown away, hopefully I’ll share it with you tomorrow 🌿

Tuesday 5th August 2025

Verbena bonariensis pops up all over the garden, sometimes I move her & sometimes I let her be 💜🌿

This time she decided to rock up next to Tithinia ‘torch’ 🧡🌿

#TuesdayBlue #verbena

I was a bit concerned about the fruit growing on the wall with the storm, but luckily it didn’t come to much here 🍏🍎🍐

I hope none of you had any damage.

We’re currently eating apple ‘Discovery’, which tastes as good as it looks! 🍎🍎

#kitchengarden #Homegrown #apples #pears

Wednesday 6th August 2025

This nameless red rose that came with the house, has never looked so good 🌿❤️🌿🌹🌿❤️🌿

It obviously likes it hot & dry ☀️☀️☀️

#RoseWednesday #roses #BloomScrolling

Yesterday’s haul 🌿💜🍅🥒🌶️💛🌿

Even if you only grow herbs or chillies on your windowsill, 3 tomato plants in a bag or some beans in a pot, the flavour, satisfaction & pleasure are immense! 😋

#kitchengarden #Homegrown #growyourown

Thursday 7th August 2025

A hover-fly falling in love with Cupid’s dart yesterday 🌿💙🐝💙🌿 #InsectThursday #insects #mygarden #blueflowers #bloomscrolling #wildlifegarden

Friday 8th August 2025

I think this variegated chilli plant is so beautiful 💜

I saved seed last year from Purple Naga Jolokia (which is not variegated) so it’s either reverted or cross pollinated.

Either way, I love it! 🌶️🌶️🌶️

#chilli #chillies #kitchengarden #growyourown

The white garden has suffered in this summers heat. The walnut tree & holly hedge sucking up any moisture 🌳

Even the (tough as old boots) Japanese anemones are much smaller, but just as beautiful 🌿🤍🌿🤍🌿🤍🌿

#flowersonfriday #whiteflowers #whitegarden

Saturday 9th August 2025

We’ve had a really lovely weather week, how super for those holidaying in this country. Everywhere looks so much nicer in the sunshine ☀️ #sixonsaturday #bloomscrolling #flowers

We’re literally trying to escape the pot 🍆💜🌿

#RunawayAubergine #Homegrown #kitchengarden #aubergine #eggplant

How to spice up a mild chicken curry.

I had a sensible Buena Mulata chopped up in mine, hot but not too hot💜🌿

The ‘Gardeners mate’ (he’s just been upgraded from ‘under gardener’) had a whole Naga Yellow Blaze in his 🥵💛🔥 I mean, seriously!

#chilli #chillies #Homegrown

Sunday 10th August 2025

Another poor plant saved from certain death at the store.

All the plants were a sorry state, bone dry.

This lovely Dahlia Dalina Maxi Starburst Pink was the best of the bunch & after a good drink, dead heading & some fresh compost looked much happier 🌿🌸💕🌿

#rescueplant #dahlia #dahlias #dahlialove #bloomscrolling