Cream tea - lovely!
And it wouldn’t be a British summer without Wimbledon, which of course means strawberry cream teas. It’s that time of year when the home-grown (or even Pick your Own) strawberries are in abundance. Did you know that strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges? Go one indulge yourself!
At this time of year flowers are in profusion. Hanging baskets and window boxes adorn many homes and buildings. “Friendly” competition amongst rural villages and pubs to win the annual title ’Best of’ ensure that there is no shortage of well tended gardens and public areas and the “green eyed monster”.
Some fragrant summer flowers include Roses, Honeysuckle, Sweetpeas, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Begonias, Marigolds, Petunias and Lobelia. But of course this list is endless; one flower which always comes into its own at this time of year is the Sunflower.
How tall is your sunflower?
Growing the tallest specimen inspires many of the youngest gardeners and indeed some older ones to become quite competitive, with some varieties growing over twelve feet high, there could be a lot at stake!
June
If your Birthday is in June the zodiac signs for you are: Gemini (the twins) and Cancer (the crab). Your unique Birthday Flower is the rose, which will be in full bloom during this month. The Victorian meaning for roses was ‘love and beauty’ and with so many varieties now available, family and friends will be spoilt for choice when giving you a special present. However, if roses don’t fit the bill then your Birthstones Pearl, Emerald, Turquoise and Moonstone may provide an alternative option.
Notable dates and events in June
June 2nd Coronation Day
June 11th FIFA World Cup begins (ends July 11th)
June 12th Queens Official Birthday/Trooping of the Colour
June 20th Fathers Day
June 20th Longest Day
June 21st Wimbledon
June 24th Midsummer’s Day
July
July can be one of the hottest months of the year and is the time when deadheading, watering and weeding dominate the British gardener’s time, along with mowing the lawn. But on a positive note it is also a time for harvesting your fruit, vegetable and salad crops – nothing tastes quite like your own lovingly natured tomatoes, or smells like your own home grown Sweetpeas and Roses.
July - the Larkspur
The zodiac sign Leo is associated with late July birthdays along with Cancerians you share the Birthstone Turquoise, but you can also choose from Onyx and Rubies. This month’s Birth flowers are the Larkspur and Water lily. Larkspur is meant to convey ‘an open heart and ardent attachment’.
Notable dates and events in July
June30th – 4th July Henley Royal Regatta
July 6th – 11th Hampton Court Flower Show
July 15th St Swithuns Day
August
August is a time to start planning the sowing and planting of autumn and winter crops, you can also start to collect seeds from your own plants. Watering is still a crucial every day task, if not twice a day task. Remember using rainwater collected in water butts and recycling washing up water etc will all help the environment.
Dame Edna's Favourite - gladiolus
The long tall Gladiolus flower, loved by televisions Dame Edna Everage is this month’s Birth flower. Known by the Victorians as the symbol for ‘sincerity and strength of character’, a trait we’re sure Barry Humphries would totally agree with.
The perfect Birthstones for Leo’s and Virgo’s are Moonstone, Topaz, Carnelian and Peridot.
Notable dates and events in August
Buckingham Palace opens to the public.
Notting Hill carnival
August 13th – 5th Sep Edinburgh International Festival
August 29th – 30th Notting Hill Carnival
August 30th Bank Holiday
Enjoy the summer and make the most of the bank holiday!
