Summer Weather 2016

[Maggi Young]

I see that this coming weekend's Aberdeen Highland Games have been called off because of the rain. Ian opines that therain will last all weekend.... cheery soul that he is.  Tap definitely seems stuck on here.....

[TC]

Unusually for the west coast, we seemed to have missed the worst of the weather.  Some badly needed rain but it only lasted a day. Yesterday on the Mull of Galloway it was wall-to-wall sunshine, a slight breeze and a temp. of 18°C.  Sitting on the cliff top terrace of the cafe with a coffee and a piece of lemon icing ginger bread overlooking the sea was extremely pleasant.  Then a walk round the RSPB reserve followed by a rum and raisin ice cream.  Someone has to do it!

The weather has been unusual in that the N.E. and E. are usually warm and dry in Summer whereas we west coasters usually get soaked.  It has been all change the past 5 weeks.
From my selfish point of view I am quite content with this !

[Regelian]

For my part of Europe (the Cologne basin), the weather has been changing on what may be a permanent basis.  Our summers were always wet to begin with, but, typically, June began the dryer season.  Not any more.  Hot summers no longer occur, as we are lucky to get 2-3 weeks of truly warm weather, when 20 years ago the summers were 6-8 weeks of glorious weather.  OK, things are changing and it makes me wonder, why am I gardening at all any more?

Roses are a disaster, any plant that dares to bloom before July will look a shambles.  I am seriously considering giving-up Hemerocallis hybridizing, as they simply get worse with each year.  Between the wet and wind, as well as the snails and insects, the joy is gone.  Again, I rarely see a good flowering plant before July, if at all.  Bearded iris are on my out-list, as well, which I will dearly miss.  I just cannot justify a tunnel and I doubt the solar energy will be enough for most cultivars.  I've given-up my rock-garden, as it is never dry enough any more.  I can plant in pure gravel and things will still rot.

What does thrive is my Acer program.  Flowers about the right time, between the end of winter wind and the first spring rains.  They handle the wind and lack of light, produce seed and thrive on too much water.  Easy to prune and keep in shape.  Also, although we do not think of flowers with this group of trees, they are often constasting to the foliage and the subsequent seed is quite joyfull.

How is this affecting the rest of you?  Are some plants becoming relegated to pot culture, while others are simply elliminated?  I know some areas are now suffering from drought, rather than flood. 
j.

[johnstephen29]

At this very moment we are sat in the car with a thunderstorm going on, if that wasn't bad enough it is hammering it down with hailstones, it's supposed to be summer for crying out loud.

[Roma]

Thunder and heavy rain here too.  Noticed the first flower on Acis autumnale yesterday

[fermi de Sousa]

At this very moment we are sat in the car with a thunderstorm going on, if that wasn't bad enough it is hammering it down with hailstones, it's supposed to be summer for crying out loud.

Sadly, John, that is the image most Aussies have of Britain
cheers
fermi

[johnstephen29]

Must be getting a head start Roma, it doesn't rain all the time fermi, we do have a few sunny days, a couple of weeks spread over six months

[Tristan_He]

For my part of Europe (the Cologne basin), the weather has been changing on what may be a permanent basis. OK, things are changing and it makes me wonder, why am I gardening at all any more?

Roses are a disaster, any plant that dares to bloom before July will look a shambles.  I am seriously considering giving-up Hemerocallis hybridizing, as they simply get worse with each year.  Between the wet and wind, as well as the snails and insects, the joy is gone.  Again, I rarely see a good flowering plant before July, if at all.  Bearded iris are on my out-list, as well, which I will dearly miss.  I just cannot justify a tunnel and I doubt the solar energy will be enough for most cultivars.  I've given-up my rock-garden, as it is never dry enough any more.  I can plant in pure gravel and things will still rot.

My sympathies. But, as someone who gardens in a location and altitude where wet and windy summers are normal, be assured that there is still lots you can grow. Whilst bearded Irises may be out, Himalayan plants (for example) love summer rainfall. And alpines are fine provided you can give them a suitable sloping position sheltered from the prevailing wind.

I do grow roses, though perhaps not to your standards. Single flowered varieties tend to be more weather resistant.

I can't grow runner beans though

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Triatan,
it backs up what I've said before about how good it is to see things on this Forum which I might never be able to grow but can see someone else growing well.

Jamie,
I hope you don't get too discouraged and I hope you continue breeding daylilies - you've made me appreciate the "spider" types more by showing your own hybrids which I quite like (but sadly have no chance of importing!)

cheers
fermi
from a chilly Central Victoria where we won't get into double digits today!

[François Lambert]

I can't remember when was the last time I had to water the plants growing in containers outside.  It's raining almost every day for weeks (months ?) now, we had serious flooding in the area two weeks ago.  This wet weather really favors slugs & snails and they have a preference to graze my cultivated plants rather than all the wild plants just besides.  In particular seedlings seem to be one of their favorite meals 

However, some plants like this weather, my young Eucomis bulbs are growing better than ever with this daily watering and some more difficult seeds germinate much faster and with much higher germination rate.  Just need to move the pots with the seedlings to a safe place once germination starts rather than growing another juicy meal for the snails.

[Tristan_He]

Sadly, John, that is the image most Aussies have of Britain
cheers
fermi

Sadly it's not usually that exciting Fermi - more a constant drizzle!

[Regelian]

Tristan,
that was all more musing than action, for me.  I do wonder how others are coping with this caprice.  Almost 150cm of rain in about 6 weeks is record breaking for Cologne, and we are an alkaline clay soil on my side of the river, which means it doesn't drain quickly.  Mecanopsis won't grow, here.

Fermi,
fortunately, my daylily programm does encompase some later blooming strains and I've always selected for dense flower texture and strong scapes.  It is largely the increased insects and molluscs that pull the cherries off the cake.  I'm adding some Sarracenia and Nepenthes to help combat the flying bugglies and they are fascinating plants in and off themselves. Against snails and slugs, I rely on the birds, which do help a great deal.  Considering a pair of ducks!

In 10 years we may have gone to an arid desert, for all I know.  Is that positive thinking?

J.

[David Nicholson]

Two tree peonies absolutely flattened by the wind today, can this really be June? I blame the EU meself

[johnstephen29]

All the hot air from Brussels David?

[Tristan_He]

All the hot air from Brussels David?

I think the hot air output from Westminster has considerably eclipsed that from Brussels lately.