Six of the same from me this week. I am trying to rest my right hand which is still numb, so not as much time on the computer and editing photos. I still can’t resist pulling out the weeds when I see them which probably doesn’t help!
These Sweet William / Dianthus barbatus are classed as a biennial or short-lived perennials and often treated as an annual. I planted these in the autumn of 2018 as pot toppers for my tulips. They have flowered every late spring and summer since and all I do is clip them back at the end of the summer. I really need to empty the pots though and fill with fresh compost and new tulip bulbs so maybe this year I will do that.
They thrive in loamy, slightly alkaline soil in sun or partial shade in hot summer climates and colours range from white through intense red and purple, often bicoloured combinations, with the darker eyes and toothed petals characteristic of pinks and carnations. They are sweetly scented.
Some overnight rain showers this week has helped with the watering, though not nearly enough to give the ground a good soak and I still have to fill the ‘bird bath’ up every day. Talking of birds, I was delighted to see new visitors on the feeders (for the first time), two greenfinches this week and a great spotted woodpecker last week. And the sweetest sight of all, a mother pied wagtail feeding her youngster on top of the conservatory roof.
Don’t you just love this time of the year?
Jim of Garden Ruminations is now our host and as a former nurseryman has a lot more than the SOS happening over on his blog so well worth following. As always, if you want a peek over other people’s garden walls then please pop over to his site where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world. See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
Sweet William take me back so many years, Jude. They were one of the flowers we always had in Mam’s garden. It’s taking such a long time for that hand to heal! There must be an explanation? Hope your son is doing ok.
I remember them from my dad’s garden when I was a tot. As for the hand it is more than likely carpal tunnel syndrome and possibly related to the rheumatics. Can be a long haul… 😩
🙄💙
It’s a pretty colourful pot! I just got back from our bird feeder and there were at least 20 finches … they’re such a noisy bunch! Hope your hand is better soon – just look past the weeds for now 😉.
Thanks Corna, it’s not in my nature to ignore weeds, but I am only spending an hour a day in the garden, usually I’m out there for hours. Lots needs doing, but I am trying to be patient.
I love the parent/child interaction. Seems obvious that the little wagtail is not a baby anymore but a teenager.
Yes, it’s astonishing how much bigger the fledglings are compared to the adults.
I was more thinking of the attitude… but, yes.
Gimme, gimme, gimme… 😅
The choice to put these dianthus in this pretty blue pot is really a success!
Which is why I have left them be for 5 years! But I really should try and empty the pot and hopefully save the Sweet Williams.
It sounds as if you’re being as patient as possible with that hand. It can;t be easy. But your garden will cope. Just enjoy it. Especially those Sweet Williams.
You don’t realise how much you use that grip motion until it hurts! Writing, using a knife, holding a cup, using a keyboard and mouse. Using the phone! I have a little stylus that enables me to type on the phone, but it’s slow work.
Oh Grr. May it recover and convalesce soon!
Great to see the Wagtail feeding her chick. We have Greenfinches nesting in the front hedges. They come back every year.
I hope your hand clears up soon. No weed-pulling until it does! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
The greenfinches have the most wonderful song.
The sweet william reminds me so much of my mom; she loved those flowers and planted them everywhere (she was a fantastic gardener). Thanks for sharing your photos of them.
Good luck with your hand; it seems to be taking a long time to clear up.
The hand problem can last for months 😒 thankfully most of the tasks in the garden can wait until the autumn, and I weed little, but often. The Sweet Williams are lovely this year.
Sweet Williams are fabulous aren’t they, great in a vase too. Lovely to see your birds, too. We can’t have feeders up any more due to rats, and I really do miss seeing the small garden birds. Hope your hand improves soon Jude!
I has to take the feeders in last year because of rats. This year I put a stake in the garden in a more open location and I don’t put fat balls out as they seem to attract the rats. I also bring the feeders (sunflower hearts and peanuts) in at night. I love the sound of birds in the garden. 🐦🐦
This is a great idea, someone was telling me about rat proof designs for feeder hangers, I think I need to look into this a bit more 😊
I disturbed a little flock of young wagtails dancing about in the shallow ford near us and recently we had an adult great-spotted feeding a youngster from the fat ball feeder. Always such a delight to witness these moments. Sorry to hear that your discomfort continues, Jude. I hope you’re patience will see improvements before too long.
Watching the garden birds bathing is always a treat, they look so happy splashing about.
My pot of Dianthus on my front verandah always has flowers. Now it looks almost the best it ever has. I think there are four different colours.
They do look lovely in pots.