Summer at last

Summer has finally arrived in Sheffield. Mike grew this artichoke from a seed two years ago. We have eaten most of the artichoke heads, but left a few to see what would happen to them – this is the result. This wonderful, intricate bloom – it looks almost tropical. Here is a picture of our garden today.

I have picked out a few of my favorite flowers for cutting – blues first – sweet peas, clary sage, clematis, love-in-a-mist and lavender.

 Then pinks/purples – hydrangea, phlox, sweet sultan, scabious, roses and penstemon.

And whites – dog daisies, cosmos and snow pixies (a lovely sweet-scented annual lupin).

Then fillers – ammi and bupleurum.

Bright red crocosmia – fantastic this year.

And finally, edible produce – tomatoes, courgettes and South Yorkshire apricots! Delicious.