Garden Diary – It’s even too hot for the Poppies!

So if we thought the week before was hot, I guess that makes this week ‘very hot’!

The poor garden is wilting and so is the gardener! I’ve been out there early every morning watering, already needing sun cream on as it was hot enough to burn!

As you have probably guessed, I don’t really do hot. I think most of us Brits prefer a maximum of mid-twenty degrees. When it climbs up into the thirties the country grinds to a crawl.

One thing loving the heat is the strawberries, and to my absolute amazement the squirrels have completely left them alone this year. The blackbird had helped itself one morning to a few, but didn’t come back.

So, all the more for me! Yes, and the gardeners mate, I do share – most of the time lol.

The apples and pears possibly look a big smaller than usual for this time, but it’s hard to say, as they do always seem to plump up suddenly. Next door’s beautiful pink rose is peeping over the top of them, which I can enjoy as I water.

It’s interesting to see which plants like the hotter temperatures and which are wilting in the heat. If this pattern continues, us gardeners are going to have to reconsider what we grow, more than likely replacing dead plants with more drought tolerant varieties.

The salvias for example are lapping up the sunshine, but as they originate from South America and the Mediterranean, it’s hardly a surprise.

My newest plant is also from South America, a yellow Alstroemeria also known as ‘Peruvian Lily’ or ‘Lily of the Incas’ which is a clue. It’s funny to think how I’ve always wanted to go to South America, despite it being rather hot there!

The heat has brought the poppies out, but because the temperatures are so hot they only seem to be lasting a day, which is a shame. Although this does focus the mind on appreciating more their fleeting appearance.

And talking of fleeting appearances, the small tortoiseshell butterflies have turned up again. It’s obviously too hot to stay in a chrysalis!

We’ve continued our rendezvous with Patricia (big pink geranium) on the patio most evenings. It’s the best time of the day to be outside, and knowing how hot the house has now become, it’s really rather tempting to spend the night with her.

Very sensibly in a more shady spot is the white clematis ‘Prince George’. He’s approximately five years old now, and obviously very happy with this position, as this year he’s grow so much bigger and produced about six times more flowers than before. He’s getting a big boy now!

As the week progressed, the temperatures got into the mid-thirties and I found myself tempted to join the frogs in the pond. As Ginge (my favourite frog) sat on a damp, moss covered rock, I told him how lucky he was!

Monday 22nd June 2026

No shortage of news this week..

New Prime Minister on the way – for those interested

A World Cup – for those interested

But, more importantly for us gardeners, a heatwave! 🥵

Looks like we’re going to have to change our gardens 🪴

Here’s drought tolerant salvia #magentamonday 🩷

Tuesday 23rd June 2026

After all that watering, I think I deserve a treat! 🍓💦☀️

Make sure you keep yourselves hydrated as well as your plants 🥤☕️🧊 And of course, get a hat on! 👒 #heatwave #gardening #strawberry #homegrown #growyourown #bloomscrolling #stawberries

Wednesday 24th June 2026

My Apple’s 🍎🍏

Next door’s Roses 🌹🩷

Can you spot the flying insect?

#RoseWednesday #roses

One of my ginger frogs 🧡

#pond #heatwave #wildlifewednesday #frogs

Thursday 25th June 2026

‘Prince George’ is back, & see how much he’s grown! 🌿🤍🌿

#ClematisThursday #clematis #bloomscrolling

The small tortoiseshell butterfly is lapping up the nectar on the lavender 🌿🦋💜 Such a beautiful thing to watch.

#InsectThursday #butterflies

Another meal with ‘Patricia’. She gets bigger every day! 🩷

Think I might sleep on the patio tonight 🥵 Cheers everyone 🥂#geranium #heatwave #alfresco

Friday 26th June 2026

The poppies have finally started to bloom in the garden 🌺

#flowersonfriday #poppies #poppy #papaver

Saturday 27th June 2026

22 degrees this morning, heaven, perfection🙏

A pleasure to be in the garden enjoying the poppies that started blooming yesterday 🌸💜🌺

It’s sad that they don’t last, but maybe that makes us appreciate them more 😊 The pollinators certainly love them 🐝🩷🌸💜 #poppies #poppy

#sixonsaturday #bloomscrolling

Sunday 28th June 2026

This Alstroemeria is a new buy, I’ve been wanting one for ages as they flower for such a long period. They are well known as ‘Peruvian Lily’ but I love ‘Lily of the Incas’ of I’ve always been fascinated by the Incas & would love to go to South America 🌿💛🌿💛🌿💛🌿💛🌿 #SundayYellow