OBLIGATORY BEE PHOTO INCLUDED

There was a little bit of sunshine today, to make a change from the on and off rain we've been 'enjoying' most of the week.  It brought the bees out in force on the lavender, but it's Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' that seems to be their absolute favourite.  There has been at least one bee hogging this flower head whenever I walked by.  It must be a complete nectar fest in there. 

This is a new plant for me this year, and so far I've been very pleased with it because the blue is so intense, although only one of the four plants has thrown up a flower spike so far.

I know there are certain Six on Saturday posters who like me, love a good Wilko's bargain.  This trough by the back door had contained violas which were past their best and I wasn't intending to buy anything else to replace them with, until I happened upon these for £2 a pack.  Unbelievable, and yet more unbelievable that they had been watered by the shop staff and weren't half dead.  I do love a busy lizzie for a shady spot.

We're off for a little saunter along the Long Border next.  There's so much going on here and the colours can seem rather startling - bright pink, scarlet, orange and yellow.

Phlox in the foreground with double orange day lily further along

Canna foliage and flower with tall orange lilies on the right

A fringe of nasturtium Alaska along the front of the border

I've pulled out three plants from the Long Border to focus on this week.  Firstly is Achillea 'Terracotta', which is fading to this warm creamy colour, with silvery leaves.  It's been easy to look after as it hasn't died out in the middle like other achilleas I grow.

Obligatory Butterfly photo to go with the bee photo

The hollyhocks are grown as perennials.  This one has been in the border since it was first planted, although it's companions have died out and the others I have are all singles.  The double does have more presence so I ought to top them up next year.  They do all get rust by the way and I just live with it.

To finish off this week's Six I have chosen a Dahlia with flowers so large and bright that  they would feel at home on a show bench,  It's 'Indian Summer'.  I would love to find another a very tall red dahlia to go with this one.  Anyone have any recommendations?

Afore ye go - you may be interested in perusing Rosie Amber's series of interviews with gardeners of which (drum roll) mine was the latest to feature.  Here's a link if you fancy a look Garden interview

Thank you for reading, and don't forget all the Six on Saturday posts can be found on Garden Ruminations where Jim collates all our garden ramblings.  See you next week.