I had my garden 'blitzed' by contractors earlier this year because I had neglected it for a few years and it was overgrown with ivy, brambles etc. I won't go into the reasons for the neglect but when you let it get so far you need to take drastic measures.

Anyway, after the blitzing I spent a bit of money and put in a bit of work and by June the garden was looking wonderful (even if I say so myself!).

But as the summer progressed we had buckets and buckets of rain (i.e. in North West England) and some stuff got a little 'over-enthusiastic'- so more drastic measures were called for.

Two plants remaining from the original garden were Siberian Iris (I. sibirica) and a pink-flowered Geranium (which may be G. x oxonianum). Both form dense mats - particularly the former - which is a 'beast'! Whilst trying to dig it up my fork handle snapped and I had to buy another fork!

Although all this involved quite a bit of sweating and swearing it amused me to be solemnly observed by several neighbourhood cats. In addition I have a small pond with a resident frog - which was also an interested spectator. None of these watchers offered to help!