Strawberries and Roses

Loads of strawberries just now, with raspberries to follow. On 1 July we shall go wimberrying (billberries to some), although I must say this is one of our 'To The Lighthouse' moments. We last went picking these wild and gorgeous black fruits on the moors round Blackshawhead, near Jan & Jan's (which is on the Pennine Way) in 1996. Yet every June we promise ourselves that come July we will trudge the moors in this back-aching task. Actually, when we moved to Stubbing House West we didn't have to go wimberrying because our neighbour Joan was kind enough to give us plenty of her own cull.
The new English rose 'Queen of Sweden'. Rather too perfect?
The new English rose 'Gertrude Jekyll' as a climber. Most excellent in all respects and what a wonderful souvenir of a plantswoman who has given so much to generations of English gardeners.
This is 'Buff Beauty'. It is a fine enough bush rose for colour, form and scent, but it does hang it's blooms very sadly. If we were having a typical Yorkshire summer I think it would look very sad indeed.

The new English rose 'Crown Princess Margareta' as a climber. Slow to get away.
The delphiniums have been splendid because of the late fine weather, although they were hammered by early storms. No slug problems. I just kill them!

Folk who are not gardeners are twining on about us needing rain 'for the garden'. No! So long as you don't mind about an hour's selective watering most evenings all is fine. Vascular plants need sunshine to make food. Water yes, but not in Yorkshire proportions! Just look at beautiful Kent and Dorset. And the whole of France, obviously.