Garden borders are looking quite remarkable as their colour and visual presence increases exponentially. If perennials keep on growing at this rate, I will find it difficult to wade in without squashing some prized dahlia.. This week I have mainly spent my time with deliciously heady scented roses, the combination of zingy citrus and heavy musk – quite a heavenly horticultural privilege.
I once designed the soft landscaping for a couple whose only remit was that I could not include roses, it was not their plant of choice. On this occasion it was difficult to think that the customer was right, in reality it was a tragic loss. Roses are a fantastic addition in all their forms, and one that we should all give thought to. I recently read an article in Gardening Which, until now I have always pruned spent rose flowers reasonably far back down the stem. from now on in, I will just remove the flowers., you can save yourself a week or two of waiting for new flowers to form. 
This was my favorite rose at Chelsea this year – Jacqueline du Pre. It was highly memorable – quite beautiful in its delicate form. Hopefully there will still be some in stock at David Austins when my sister Lou and I pop in for tea and cake shortly
A week of some of my favorite images follow. Sisyrinchium has self seeded, not that I am complaining. Allium Atropurpureum is starting to make quite a statement. Red hot pokers are doing their horticultural thing , and so am I. 
Enjoy your Summer gardens.
Sally Wicks 