Is your garden struggling? Mine is...

[@christopherlynch9888]

Every spring I feel so masterful and then summer comes along and shows me who's really in charge!

[@HellCatt0770]

😂 I love that so much I might put it on a sign in my garden!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Completely agree!

[@milkshake3350]

@christopherlynch9888 I completely agree and I'm very grateful to this lady for showing her garden passed it's best. Mine is the same and I'm on a mission to improve it every year.

[@christopherlynch9888]

@milkshake3350 thank you. As frustrating as it is, I guess it's the challenge that keeps us going!

[@ruralangwin]

107 fir week in end is humbling here in Northern CALIFORNIA.

[@lesliekendall5668]

"So we'll walk quickly past this spot". 😂. Don't WE ALL have those areas! You're adorable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@terrypauloregon]

I love watching your videos. And the dog puts on quite a show.

[@clarecollins2547]

I do agree! Alexandra is adorable!

[@clarecollins2547]

Our dahlias were not good this year. First of all slugs ate them down to the stalks. My husband put them in pots and they did recover but, any flower buds there were which were few and far between didnt open properly.

[@lauriesimms7560]

I think the two things I like most about you are... 1) Although it's obvious you are extremely knowledgeable, you remain humble. 2) You take us around your garden and share your successes and your losses, but you share your plans to turn your losses back to successes. You may not realize it, but those are rare qualities. You are a gem and an inspiration for both my garden and who I want to be. ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much, those are very kind words.

[@sweetengland99]

😊👍

[@czarnick123]

So refreshing to see a master gardener discuss the times when things arent going so well. Honestly, its the best time to learn and grow as a gardener but most youtubers avoid showing it. Thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@evamohlin1693]

Absoluely agree. A bit boring to look at other garden programs (GW), where they visit huge gardens, with perfect borders, and talk to "the main gardener" who says things like "we have 50 volonteers coming in each week" and such. Do love Monty though, but it's too much sometimes.

[@enigel1969]

The dog is wonderfully unconcerned with your gardening problems!♥️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

He is! Occasionally he tries to 'help'. Which is, of course, not very helpful although sweet.

[@dorothybutterfield8428]

Your dog is enjoying himself

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's lovely having him around, he just gets on with his games and hunting down flies but he's always a presence now.

[@heatherw.2751]

I thought the same thing! Put a smile on my face with his puppy cuteness!

[@Portulaca-ke6ni]

I feel that "ill move on quite quickly from this" about 80% of my yard😂😂. Brilliant.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@daiseegray9110]

Thanks for sharing the not so great parts of your garden. I laughed out loud when you walked fast past the border of drop plants along with your dog jumping at the bug! 🌼🐝

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it! I didn't actually see the dog leaping at the time, I think he had investigated a bee and got a bit of a shock. But he wasn't stung so maybe not.

[@marilynsmith8054]

Because of my age I have had to let the garden just get on with it. I live in London and lack of rain has made my south facing garden desert like. The front faces north so does better. Also we are on a water meter. It was the same last year but this May and June it all looked stunning so good somebody put a note through my door saying how much pleasure they got when they passed by. It made my day!

[@heatherw.2751]

That’s so nice of someone to take the time to write that note! Such a treat!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's lovely. I think front gardens are very much part of the community and give so much pleasure to people passing by.

[@barbkenas5663]

Great video, your dog was having his own party 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

He just loves nosing around close to where we are, snuffling out smells - I think it was a bee he was investigating, hence the jump in the air. But he wasn't stung. And thank you.

[@atlasgabriel5461]

I loved this video, In a world of staged social media its so easily to feel like a failure with some things and its really refreshing to have someone post a video showing the struggles of high and dry summer gardening. Thank you for posting it x

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I felt that this has been such a difficult gardening year for so many of us and wanted to acknowledge that.

[@coriooo8886]

Thank you Alexandra for your always great advice! By the way: you're looking like a summer flower yourself with this beautiful orange dress!👍😍 Greetings from Germany. 🤗

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@terrikim4992]

I think gardeners must be an optimist, resilient lot to deal with all we do and still find pleasure in it . 😎

[@svetlanapil8089]

There is always "next year". 😊 You are so right about it!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, and gardening is also a good lesson in resilience perhaps

[@anujverma5424]

Best part of every video is when Alexandra Aunty very cutely says good bye...... I always make my daughter to hear her saying goodbye🙂👍.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@limitlessends]

The phrase "I'm quite pleased with this" is one of my favorite British/UK phrases

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you 😂

[@MyFocusVaries]

I love the "walk and talk" format; it's so dynamic and engaging! I've been learning this year how important deadheading and cutting back is to keep the garden from looking tired in high summer. You have to cut back brunnera after it flowers (cut the whole plant down) and it grows all new foliage and sometimes a few new flowers. Otherwise it looks bedraggled in August. Same with salvias and nepeta. And cutting spent flowers and dry foliage from all plants makes the whole garden look better and encourages new growth.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@BertiesGardener]

What a lovely honest review of your garden! With changing growing conditions and our own indovidual changing needs, it does pay to be realistic about what we choose to grow. Love your dog! Keep inspiring us Alexandra, thankyou so much for your channel. ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much! I felt that we were probably all struggling in these very changeable but demanding weather conditions!

[@enigel1969]

I love your videos! So much so that I actually respond out loud to you, sharing my gardening problems.I had no idea I was doing that but now my husband is next to me (he’s on his iPad reading about politics, poor soul) and is laughing out loud at my making this video an interactive experience.😊

[@heatherw.2751]

I do that too! My husband does the same 😂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's lovely to hear, thank you both!

[@andrewsflicks7920]

It's really so good how you cover each part of your garden, giving your thoughts behind your planting ideas, reasons why some have not done so well, reasons why they have done great...loved the shady area below the raised crown of your trees...more room my favourite epimediums!! Keep up the great work, your a real inspiration...😊🫶

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm glad you enjoy it, thank you!

[@hagstoneshouses]

I’m so grateful to see a gardener show the mistakes! My garden is full of mistakes. I don’t know what happened to my geum this year and a little bit of grass my mother gave me has run rampant. The slugs ate every single iris flower and I forgot I had planted an evergreen jasmine which has disappeared out of sight into a tall conifer. I love your channel ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and I know all of those problems!

[@barbarahenn-pander5872]

“The lime tree reveals quite a lot of nothing going on!” Very amusing!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I have now planted one plant there! Time will tell as to whether it survives such an inhospitable spot.

[@jaimeiam]

Hi Alexandra! I like the new style of walking and talking! Good work!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@enigel1969]

I think the multi stemmed tree is quite spectacular!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I was so pleased!

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Here in the States, I am in zone 7b. This year has been drastic in many ways, across the country, but here in zone 7b too. No rain for five weeks, with 95 to over 100 degrees F. Humidity atrocious. I have deer and rabbit issues, and couldn’t get out in the heat to either water or protect. I decided to just let it all be. We do have a sprinkler system, ineffective really in high heat and no rain, and expensive to run. I am digging out anything that got eaten or died from drought. I will replace some this fall and next spring. I will plant less and be more cognizant of where the sprinkler heads are and what actually gets enough water. I will use cardboard to cover weedy areas and mulch on top. Gardening is a wonderful pastime and I have enjoyed it for 50 odd years now. But, I have become much less tolerant of failures, and some of the expense and work involved.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh my goodness that does sound challenging. I hope autumn (fall) is more rewarding for you.

[@christopherjhall]

Hydrangea and fuchsia. So easy to grow and so beautiful. Definitely not fashionable, but who cares if they bring so much pleasure.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm sure they will be 'back' soon! I don't think I could live without hydrangeas in the garden.

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

Everyone loves spring flowers but the more years I garden in a hot/dry summer climate, the more I look for native flowers & shrubs that can bloom later and later on in the year-- because the growing season is such a survival marathon! Symphyotricum has been my favorite so far, doesn't even bloom for me until August but when it does, wow what a show!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, and symphyotricum and asters are both fab. I wouldn't be without them. Mine have just started to flower since shooting this video just a few days ago.

[@juliabinford6500]

I went right out and weeded my pots! I didn’t realize competition could be that important. Thank you!!

[@nelidascott6917]

Another brilliant and educational post! Thanks for all your knowledge and real time examples to learn from. Much appreciated ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@emkn1479]

More and more the deer, pests, weather, and vigor of plants is deciding for me what I should bother growing. I’m tired of fighting all the forces of nature.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Definitely a very good approach! If something needs too much fussing over, it's out of this garden, too.

[@wildberrygarden]

I feel the same way! I've lost a lot of plants this year and it has put me off buying certain things. My sedums are looking good so that's one thing that seems OK no matter what.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

We are in the third year of extreme drought. I'm tired of dragging the hose around. The city even sent out an inspector to see if I had a leak. I didn't, but I have a water bill that rivals the national debt! Despite my watering, several plants have died. Flourishing for me now are black-eyed Susans, heliopsis and echinacea, so that's what I'll concentrate on next year.

[@emkn1479]

@@wildberrygarden the short ground cover types do well for me, but deer mow down the tall types. I ripped them all out! I’m done!

[@Rick-se5qm]

Deer never bothered with our Siberian iris until this year. Now they are chewing and uprooting many of them.

[@LouciferFlump]

Ah, the swamping issue! I have that A LOT! And also the unbearable thought of cutting my still flowering straggly geraniums! I hate to cut them, I *need* to cut them! The dilemma! The guilt! 😂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

totally agree. I started off thinking I'd just snip a few dead heads off and then when I finished the plant was 6" high. Eek. But it's bouncing back.

[@joannmicik1924]

Thank you so much for sharing. My garden is looking tired and bedraggled after 6 weeks of drought and 30 days of 90F weather here in Pennsylvania, USA. You gave me new heart! I've been pecking away at the weeds and spent stuff, but now I am going to really get stuck in and do some work. The area of your garden with the low clipped, shaped hedge and tree growing out of it might not seem much to you, but I thought it was absolutely charming just as it was.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, thank you! And this 'struggling' bit doesn't last too long, I've seen the late summer flowers, such as the asters begin to come out even since I shot this (and that was only two days ago!).

[@Patricia-lg8vg]

I had a drip system put in for the drought times. It's not on normally on but I find August, in my area, is very dry and makes the plants struggle to the point that it stunts them or kills them.

[@minervabird1967]

At this time of year, I concentrate on harvesting tomatoes and chiles to distract me from the high summer malaise in the garden. I have some stalwart flowers going strong, but that lovely fresh colour of June is long over. Your garden is lovely BTW and it is comforting to know I am not the only one shaking my head at some of the borders! 🌻🌻🌻

[@heatherw.2751]

Zone 8b Coastal NC here. You’re not alone! We had a very dry early summer followed by weeks of rain! Bedraggled is the name of my garden at the moment.

[@melissaschloneger9902]

You are so funny! I laughed out loud over your description when you dont know what to do with an area and then the dumping ground. I can so relate!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed IT!

[@francineh.7825]

I love fuscias and the one you have is very pretty. I loved your outfit as well!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!!

[@marilember]

You have such a lovely warm energy about you, Alexandra!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

Love your dog!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! He is settling in nicely and always wants to be around us whatever we are doing, which is lovely.

[@BritInvLvr]

I think fusias are so beautiful. My grandmother used to grow them in her garden. However, I keep killing mine. I need to do some research as to why that keeps happening.

[@YarrowPressburg]

Been watching a few years now, always look forward to seeing you! I do go back over many of past shows often very relaxing and informative. Thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@catherineperry9513]

Love an imperfect garden! And a gardener who can't quite decide what to do with various spots! Thanks as ever for your natural encouragement and fun, Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@p4ul1010]

I looooove this videos where you walked us around the garden talking about everything. It really feels like we are there and thats amazing.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@tanyastephens3187]

It's been really hot here in France. I have managed to water using the well. Good video ( as always) thanks.

[@gracepeterson7483]

There is always something that isn't quite right in our gardens. I think you're smart to leave the Verbena and pot up the dahlias. I really like how your trees are limbed up. You're delightful to watch.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@SpanishEclectic]

My roses are finally looking better after removing most of the leaves and spraying; this year the rose slugs (saw fly larvae) were terrible, and had made lacy mess out of rose plants that had looked green and lovely in May. I appreciate that you show us when your garden it's not at it's best. Gardening is a process, and July was pretty sad except for the lovely surprise of my young Blue Palo Verde tree blooming for the first time. "Naked Lady" lilies are also a nice treat in August. Next year I'm determined to plant some of those purple asters that you recommend. I've read that dahlias are finicky, so my guess is that they won't flower if other plants are stealing their sun and nutrients. Today the project is cutting back the very large, very old hot pink bougainvillea that has sent out 6 foot shoots in every direction, and watering the rosemary cuttings I forgot about. :0 Always enjoy your garden chats, either in your own garden, or with the excellent experts you find for us. Cheers, Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much! I've found dahlias relatively easy, provided you can get them past the slugs and snails (grow in pots until big enough, mainly).

[@mayb.wright509]

Thank you so much for this. I love how you're so honest and willing to share the successes as well as the troubles. I live in a completely different zone (4) but your thoughts and information are so helpful. Blessings to you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much. Since starting to check the hardiness of the plants I mention, I've really seen how many plants we all grow in common, regardless of zone! Although I think the milder 8 and 9s are probably the easiest zones.

[@maryanna6302]

Your back garden is looking so good! Your videos always inspire me to rush outside for some quick pruning and tidying in my garden 😂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! though I feel that certain parts were looking very shaggy.

[@MsAngeldragon]

I love your organic bug controller, aka dog ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, he really does hate flies! Pursues them with deadly intent.

[@dvssayer5621]

My neighbors and i planted alot of verbena and we decided its a bit obnoxious! But i still love it! but it all must go to the back of the borders behind things so you just see the tops! I loved that video where d austin jr said dont worry about black spot as dont treat it. I havent worried about it since! Also, the afids werent bad and all left after a ciuple weeks. My roses are thriving.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely agree. Neil Miller of Hever Castle gardens says that his roses all get covered in aphids in June, but they hold their nerve and don't do anything, then two weeks later most are gone.

[@Lain3695]

Ah I don't miss the bone-dry summers from when I lived down south! I always thought hydrangeas were old fashioned but have taken a shine to them recently - this time of year they're the most showy, fresh flowers here

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, bone-dry summers are great for planning a bbq, but they do not make for happy plants!

[@walberberg]

Hello Alexandra, 10 years ago I also wanted to plant something under a shallow rooted birch tree and the plants that really managed well up to 30 cm to the trunk are Dryopteris filix-mas, Aruncus dioicus (both adding some height), Epimedium Frohnleiten or Orange Queen and Geranium macrorrhizum. The first years I watered them during the summer drought. I little bit further away (1,50 m) Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' is giving some pink colour and Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' some lime green colour right now. And under those dry conditions the anemone doesn’t spread so much…😅 The plants grow really dense there, I did not have to weed once under the birch tree since then. I really like your channel very much and thanks for all the good ideas, greetings from Germany!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting and thank you. I'm hoping my epimedium (Amber Queen) will be happy but I'd like to try some Orange Queen too. Carex Everillo a great idea.

[@gardentours]

The fuchsia is so beautiful.

[@ewadynek2693]

Thank you for your valuable episodes, showing us what is wright and wrong in the garden and the passion for knowledge.Lots od greetings.

[@bewoodford2807]

I am pleased your geums are surviving- I lost all mine through dryness and competition from other plants- namely alstromeria and hemerocallis. I planted mine shoulder width apart but obviously that was too close. Despite my garden being very wet in Winter, these last Summer weeks with no rain have caused me quite a few problems this year- despite me intervening and watering once weekly for many, many hours. I need o totally rethink many of my borders, Besides the dry, many of my plants have succumbed to shade from my next door neighbour's trees which grow taller and taller by the year, which have completely wrecked my original borders- peonies no longer flowering, poppies and daisies struggling to survive and I have lost many of my roses. Feeling rather beaten and desperate to move. I used to love my garden and now I don't care to be in it. I have even resorted to taking on an allotment which is a south facing sloping plot and a pleasure to grow in. Sorry for the moan- I just wish neighbours would consider the impact of their tall trees on other people's gardening. Happy gardening and thank you for sharing your garden and its' problems. 🙂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with the garden, but I hope things improve and thank you.

[@bewoodford2807]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you ♥

[@johnsmith-ls4rc]

Aster Monch, Potentilla Fructosia and annuals Cosmos and Rudbeckia could fill a few late summer gaps in your borders, if you dont mind me saying so. Since obtaining a smaller garden I have realised gaps during the season are a bigger problem than in a larger garden, so have had to get better at plant selection. I have also started to include yew topiary and Pittosporium Golf Ball to keep up the green. I think grasses in borders will go out of fashion, because they are hideous thugs IMHO. Thanks for your fantastic series of videos !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! Since filming (just literally a few days ago) the asters have started to flower, you are right, they're a very good choice. I have often had cosmos in the past, missed them out this year, so that's a good reminder. They are such long flowering annuals.

[@emmalavenham]

I can only imagine how frustrating it is to lose that border due to that drought but in the garden, loss is very much an opportunity which I am sure you will make the most of…. Creating a great border that blooms throughout the seasons is just that hard - but you’ll get there

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@llmifg]

The fuchsia looked lovely, I forget about that plant. I've got a 100by60 foot garden and I've decided that I can't give up any space for ornamental grasses. I love my white Japanese anemone which will be blooming for me soon, they look so fresh to me. Oregon zone 9

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, I adore white Japanese anemones, but I've never got them to take! But the pink ones are very firmly planted in the garden and even though I tried to get rid of them (twice) they just popped up the following year.

[@llmifg]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Yep, I've got a bit of the dreaded pink, but they are smashed up behind/next to the David phlox and a large azalea shrub, and come out just at the right 'cut back the phlox" time. It has taken a lot of effort to get the spreading pink in just that spot.. (crossing fingers)

[@JanRonandArthur]

Well that made me feel better. My gardens are a mess this year. Blistering hot winds, hail but not enough rain and everything out there is just a mess.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it made you feel better! I think gardens are beginning to perk up a bit already, with slightly cooler temperatures and a bit more rain.

[@susanblau5573]

I love your videos. Thanks

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@evaosborne6985]

Your MIddle-Sized Garden show is one that enjoyI watching often. Thank you for your sharing. My verbena bonariensis is a favorite. It attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbird moths, hummingbird, and gold finch. It has self seeded and crowded out cone flowers. But.... I will move the cone flower this fall and watch those dancing stems next summer. Glad you decided to leave yours. Oh, I live in zone 8a on the Virginia Eastern Shore near the sea in the US. Our challenges in 'high summer' are wind, heat, sun (no shade), salt air, animals. I am learning to live with rather than control :).

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And that does sound like challenging summer conditions.

[@lucart08]

I learn so much from your videos. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@bevwiseman6914]

Alexandra, I'm sure this video was full of wonderful information, hints and tips. The only problem was, I was so mesmerised by your mischievous dog, that I couldn't take anything in! I had the feeling that something was going to happen, and then at approximately 12.30 mins into the video, he jumps up, catches the fly he was after, turns 180 degrees to camera and his jaw snapping shut is also audible! It looks so funny I've watched it several times now. And the fact that you appear blissfully unaware just makes it even more perfect! Thankyou for that. Haven't laughed out loud for ages!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And I was unaware but my husband who does the filming when I'm talking to camera had to struggle to keep a straight face. Ozzie simply hates flies and goes after every one he sees.

[@sunitashastry5270]

Great video. Very down to earth with specific solutions. The august garden is a hard one to deal with.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and is it just! Looking forward to the mellow shades of September.

[@chruutunuchruut8188]

What a fantastic presentation - despite the erros 😍

[@wildberrygarden]

We seem to have had a few of the same issues. I also have a hydrangea Pinky Winky which has not grown at all this year. In fact, I think it might be dead. It was swamped by aquilegia and I think that might be way. Slugs have also been eating new growth from my hydrangeas this year which has never been a problem before but the slugs are like a plague this year.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are a plague, it's the rain I think. But mine have been concentrating on the leaves in the borders, and I don't think they've bothered with the tubs. I'll take a look though.

[@nataliatenoriomaia1635]

Great video, thank you for sharing! Also, I love your dog 😂 it’s such a great addition to the video ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, he's a poppet

[@janetpurdie9464]

Thank you for such a wide-ranging video. All your comments are really helpful to me, just down the road (globally speaking!) in the Thames Valley. I have nearly all the same plants, and the same sort of garden. It's much more helpful to see the things which aren't doing well than the amazing successes!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@svetlanapil8089]

Definitely keep verbena! It looks gorgeous already! I would think that the strongest plant should stay and the weaker one moved to a new spot. Otherwise, you'll have another hole there. I planted verbena by seed this year, but unlike yours, mine is struggling. It never grew over 20 cm high. We, on the contrary, had a very cool summer, 8700 feet altitude in Colorado, and plants just now are coming to life. Deer slowed down and halved most of the plants, but my fence project is coming along, although slowly but surely. I have high hopes for the next growing season!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good point. My verbena struggled for a few years until I planted a really big clump of it. Then it started self seeding nicely. But sometimes plants take a year or so to get established and sometimes they just decide not to grow. Good luck with the verbena in the future.

[@svetlanapil8089]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden , thank you!

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@kimberlyadams6301]

I enjoy your channel immensely!! I am in Portsmouth, Virginia which is hot and humid and often very rainy in the warm months. I have learn so much from you since discovering your channel. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@kaysimperfectgarden.4043]

So much of this video is really familiar to me, I let pretty biennials steal the show in early summer and they smothered or pushed out the perennials and annuals who were looking lovely this time last year. Now they're finished and I've taken them out I'm left with large gaps. Right now, my flower beds are looking like yours but your tips are very helpful and it's encouraging to hear another gardener discuss these things and share problems. Wish you were a local neighbour....😄

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I find that as soon as the weather cools down a bit, the garden does perk up.

[@NN-fz4pd]

I love your accent, it makes your videos very enjoyable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Flower_hoarder]

ALWAYS ENJOY🌳Y‼️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@susanlindsay1071]

Always useful advice. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@YarrowPressburg]

Keep the verbena over the dahlias, I leave a lot of my self seeders and just let plants fight it out amongst them selves, I don’t like getting in the middle of an argument.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Very wise!

[@wildberrygarden]

Agree, perhaps dig up the tubers in the autumn and move then?

[@juliepardo7767]

Your pup is so cute, Alexandra! I've been a bit ruthless with my gardens this summer. It has been a wet season. The plants that I've been nursing along for a few years that just could not bounce back, all taken out. I shifted existing pots and added more to fill the voids. I find the added coloured pots give a fresher look to the area. To save money, I just spray paint the pots to suite the colour interest I'm going for at the time and put a clearance sale plant in it. This season I went with purple fountain grass.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Lovely ideas!

[@YogiCecily]

What a wonderful walk-about! I think you have more than a mid-sized garden, though. Summer is indeed a challenge. I agree with you to do a lot of cutting back and rethinking areas that didn’t perform well- THX!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ha, ha the 'middle-sized' is something of a private joke - my garden is considered 'small' by people who have country gardens and 'huge' by anyone with an average city or town garden! It made answering the question 'is your garden big?' very difficult and 'middle-sized' fits the bill, although not always. And thank you!

[@quicknumbercrunch8691]

Your humor brought me to smile (not easily done). If not one I missed, I would like you to do a video on self seeders. There was a beautiful one you mentioned early on. I do have the violet ones you mention. The subtitles wrote out some nonsense. You said something like Litamus Koreana or something. They plant themselves about in my middle sized garden and I weed around them. I wonder if you had planted the wild flowers further apart it would have meant more weeding to do.? Veg are a chore, except for zucchini which takes care of itself. The hardest part is finding people to give the zucchinis to. I plant them for the big flowers and for weed suppression. I eat a fraction of their production. I wish my borders looked as good as the ones you criticized here. Finally, my strength as a gardener is landscape (garden-scape) architecture. I failed to convince you to place your gazebo or pergola in the middle of the lawn off set to the right when looking from the house. Fine, but please plant grapes, clematis, or wisteria in pots around the pergola to cover it with fruit or flowers or both. Fathfully yours.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Here is the video on self seeders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3OQqYObm9SBZpI And my husband corrects the auto-captions but it takes him a bit of time and he hasn't quite got there yet! Yes, I agree zucchini absolutely the easiest veg to grow, and I will continue thinking about the pergola!

[@emmalavenham]

Foliage is a great way to keep the garden alive in high summer, particularly if you are not into the “New Natural”. We are particularly liking Picea orientalis Firefly for bringing in the gold, and although it’s rather new, the remontant big leaf hydrangea Eclipse is a stunning compact heat resistant purple. Lots of choices for tucking into borders, particularly perennials

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Lovely, I think I do need more gold foliage, it's all getting a bit dark with all the reds

[@graphguy]

Thanks for sharing, lovely.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@irairod5160]

You look beautiful in this dress---both the color and its style.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much. It's rare that it's warm enough here to wear it!

[@irairod5160]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Then wear it every day you possibly can. You look fabulous!

[@amandinemoxon6677]

Thank you so much, Alexandra, for your honest approach - it has made me feel much better about my rather frazzled garden - we are on a hill, too, so things get quite battered by winds as well as drying out - sigh!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, that is quite challenging!

[@togetvj]

Loved this video. It was particularly interesting to me when you talked about your trees. I have a Japanese Maple, Acer Palmatum 'Katsura', and it had grown quite large and like a bush but it had created such shade beneath that it killed off my ground-cover plants, so I took advice from my friend who has a fabulous garden called Ichi-Coo Park in Sussex, and I attacked Katsura with my pruners and turned it into the most beautiful tree. The branch structure is amazing. I also grow Hydrangea paniculata. I grow it as a tree in semi-shade in the dampest part of my small garden. I have found that by growing things as trees in my small garden gives more space to grow things at ground level.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a very good principle! And thank you.

[@tinkerbell9399]

Our garden is definitely looking dried and frazzled too! We have been in this house just 3 years, and what we call the middle bed was pretty empty and covered in bindweed. We brought plants with us, and filled it up. Overfilled it unfortunately, so now things need moving. Will it be safe to move things in Autumn when it’s cooler, or make a plan, and leave till the Spring? Thanks for sharing your garden, and showing us the pleasures and problems with gardens this time of year!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and autumn is the best time to move plants as it is usually more rainy than spring, not that any of our weather could be described as 'usual' these days!

[@dustyflats3832]

We have several trees that pop up all over and two pop up in the lawn-poplar and locust trees. The oaks and cedars readily plant themselves everywhere. Then we have a neighbor’s black walnut-Sigh-as I look around I see other areas where they are popping up as the leaves are very recognizable. It’s no wonder they are everywhere if they aren’t dealt with. It’s a battle. Your garden looks beautiful! I wish I could plant perennials that like moist shade, but it’s too dry here and not a lot of shade.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@dorothylaplante7243]

Thank you for all this timely information. Also I love your dress!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@katiewilliams6591]

Have shared this Alexandra, I love that your garden is beautiful and yet struggling with the dry weather too. You also own the mistakes and make it 'all ok' Thank you!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much, and for sharing

[@debwatts2035]

Good morning Alexandra. I have a 2 year old Sarah’s Delta fuchsia and I’m very jealous to hear you do nothing to yours! I’ve moved mine each year and still not found that special spot that will allow it to look after itself. Are you able to share your Sarah’s Delta’s location specifics (dry/moist/sun/shade etc.). Appreciate your time. X

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's in quite a shady spot, which means it leans out a bit, but, on the other hand, that's very sheltered. By 'shady', I mean open to the sky above so it would get midday sun, but is otherwise in the shade of a high wall with climbers. We have quite a dry climate (23"-26" rainfall a year in normal years, which this isn't). Mix of clay/chalk soil, neutral acidity. I've looked up 'caring for Delta's Sara/h' on the internet and there is so much conflicting info -- that it's drought resistant, or that it needs regular watering, that it needs 'moist, well drained soil'. I think muddling along is perhaps the only way through all that. If a plant has been recently planted or replanted, it's likely to need thorough watering in the first summer. Otherwise I'd suggest you leave it and see what happens. Sometimes a plant just doesn't want to grow in a particular garden and sometimes it can be a weak plant to begin with. Good luck.

[@jobeejay8201]

Very dry in my London garden as well, so reassuring to see we all have similar issues. Neighbouring trees take all the moisture, so Verbena B and Lychnis is all I have left. Also, like yours, Hydrangeas in pots doing well, apple tree has many fruits, tomato harvest v poor! Thank you for all advice and updates

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@KarinLowrie-vi9cv]

Thank you for inviting us into your garden! I was wondering how it was doing this summer. I have been curious as I look at mine struggling in the heat. I did plant some new plants that a store was sadly throwing away. They are taking to their new patches very well, even in the heat.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. And well done with the plant rescue.

[@kathyfoster181]

Loved this! Timely advice as always. Refreshing to see what isn't working in your garden and how to put things right. You're so clever and eloquent Alexandra! 🌷🌺🌿 Love your channel

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

Great info, thank you!🌿

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@lesleywatts7798]

So nice to see a gardener acknowledge the August Frazzle. I have a dry garden that gets scorched by now, but I have just spent a few hours ruthlessly cutting back and doing so spot watering. Hoping for a couple of days of rain to green it all up.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Mine has perked up a bit with the latest rain, hope yours has too.

[@JamieSantos]

Mine is frying in the intense heat/humidity...then swinging to low 80's with no rain for weeks. 102 real feel yesterday, 100 today in Western Kentucky USA and 79 by Monday for the high. Just totally abnormal weather. I feel so sorry for my animals and plants.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That does sound difficult. I always think 'no rain' is the scariest weather.

[@MagicalMukhina]

I loved this video - your garden is lovely .and I love all your seating areas. I have a problem with indecisive planting. I quite often will plant something, only to not be happy and move it - sometimes several times! Also I buy lots of plants and end up moving something so I can put the new one in - as I like it more! Thanks for the hints and tips.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I know what that's like!

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Thank you so much for a great information.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tracyehrenberg6074]

In my experience, epimedium looks meh when it's transplanted, then next spring it shines! Also, Aralia Sun King is another wonderful plant for shade. Looks great all summer!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll look at that one, thank you.

[@laurensmallett3911]

My favourite of all your videos thankyou so much

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@rebekahcannon8391]

Thank you for being honest! The weather is definitely toasty in my area and so I have to really limit time outside. Too hot to plant or transplant in my area also. I’m making fall plans!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@anneconoulty4722]

Just an excellent video Alexandra, we are so lucky to have you, I have a bed actually in full sun that never seems to work properly despite all my efforts. My North London garden has really dried out this year. Off to deadhead now. Thank u

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@JaenSommer]

The bees and butterflies just love my verbena so in my humble opinion I think you should leave yours as is and let your own wildlife enjoy it too. We need to cherish our bees in the UK 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree!