While huge regions of the world swelter in heatwaves, in Scotland we’re sitting well above the jet-stream, with cool northerlies seeming to make every other day around 13 degC. This is one of those days. The unusual weather does make the flowers last longer though. Here are some summer pastels for anyone who might need a cool-down. Starting with one of my favourites, geranium offers lots of ground cover. This little pink one seems to flower for months on end. And what wonderful dark-pink veining.

Hostas have very much enjoyed cool and showery weather. Interestingly, there seem to be fwer slugs and snails munching this year (maybe they like to be warm too). Hostas have delivered wonderful flowers over the last week or so.

Hebe shrubs are native to the south of New Zealand. I suspect they are evolved to be used to lots of rain, look at this display!

Astilbe grow in various spots around the garden, always happiest by the pond. This one has a candy-floss look to it, seeming to glow in the season’s rare sunlight.

I’ve shown these flowers off before, and am sure I will do again. There’s something about the intricate structure of astrantia that keeps darwing me back to them.

Last this week are my snap-dragons. I have a few plants now in pots, given to me by a friend a couple of years ago as tiny seedlings. They seem to winter very well in the greenhouse. These soft pastel pink ones are very calming.

At this time of year, it’s hard to imagine the borders without layers of tall green and beautiful flowers, despite the low temperatures. I hope you enjoyed my midsummer blooms. And thanks to those leaving comments on the blog – sorry if I don’t always get back to you on time! The blog is going well, but it would be great if more folk on Mastodon, or other parts of the Fediverse got into tooting a Six! Go on, its a much kinder form of social media, not controlled by crazy billionaires. All you need to do is find 6 things in your garden to show us. Then post on social, or add a link at Jim’s blog below. For regulars, our organiser is Jim at https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. And I’m on mastodon @julie3dharris@mastodon.scot