Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
4th July 2026
Dog Days
Goodbye Flaming June – you were indeed flaming challenging! I wonder what July will bring, weather-wise and in general. It will, of course, bring ‘The Dog Days of Summer’, which officially began yesterday (3rd July) and lasts until either the 11thAugust or the beginning of September, depending on which account you read.
The ‘Dog Days’ refer to the hot and humid part of summer, and have nothing to do with our four legged friends, but instead are linked to Sirius, the Dog Star.
During this time, the sun occupies the same area of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth. This period was always associated unprecedented (!) heat and humidity, and therefore feared for the droughts, fever, and general discomfort it brought.
Not unlike a fortnight ago.
Hen Heartbreak
Thankfully all of my plants and veggies seem to have survived the latest ‘heat-wave’, which is more than I can say for one of my hens.
A very brazen fox killed her and took her off into the undergrowth whilst I was only about 10 feet away. No amount of shouting and arm-waving deterred him and I now have to try to erase the whole trauma from my already frazzled mind. I am able to take some solace from the fact that she had the best chicken-life but am still battling that I feel like I let her down.
I am reminded of the phrase I heard my friend’s mum used when I was about 6 years old. ‘If you’ve got livestock, you’ll have dead stock’, and whilst it’s not particularly comforting, it is a fact that in order to share and have the joy of a life, you risk the pain of death – whatever it is that dies.
I’ve learned that life is all about perception. We live what we focus on. I can focus on her ruthless death – or the joy she brought (and had). My ‘remainer’ was obviously traumatised too and looked lonely so, despite my initial reaction being, ‘no more’, there is a new hen on the block.
Of course I visited the ‘Cluckingham Palace’ for hens, Plas Poultry near Brecon, and Tom ensured that I left with a rather dashing hen – a Rhode Rock with a copper neck. She’s lovely and so docile, and enjoyed a cwtch before being put in the coop with my ‘remainer’. They spent 24 hours in the coop together before being let out in the pen, so they ‘get to know each other’. I’d love to know what the conversation is between them during that time.
After numerous escapes from their pen, I bent the rules for my ‘original’ two hens and allowed them to be ‘free range’. Sadly the hen that was killed was the braver one, and leader and instigator of all the breakouts, the kitchen visits and walks with Yogi. The surviving hen is much meeker – probably even more so after her trauma – so hopefully, now that I have fortified the pen, these two will now remain safely ensconced, especially after bonding during their brief ‘lock-down’.
Flower Power
And to reset my inner peace, I have also been consciously focussing on the wonderful sights around the cottage, in client’s gardens, and in nature in general.
There are some beautiful shrubs and plants in flower right now. My summer jasmine makes me catch my breath every time I walk outside. Its fragrance is just so uplifting and how tiny little flowers can throw out such a gorgeous scent is a reminder of just how magical (some) things are. A particular passionflower also catches my attention at this time of year. Just look at the flowers if you get a chance. They are head-shakingly intricate, so dramatic and yet just also beautiful. Interestingly though, that the Latin word ‘passio’ means suffering, and the climber is so called as the fruit of some species of Passion Flower are poisonous. So – dramatic, exquisite and occasionally toxic – sounds a bit like the definition of passion.
Also catching my eye in various borders are the aptly named Angel’s Fishing Rods. Dierama have grassy evergreen foliage for most of the year rendering them pretty easy to overlook, but at the moment they have the most striking arching stems (like a ‘successful’ fishing rod) dripping with pink, bell like flowers. I would highly recommend them for the garden although they can take a little bit of nurturing to get settled in – and don’t like being moved. They don’t like damp conditions, nor being allowed to dry out totally in the summer, but they are definitely worth the required TLC.
Lilies are also one of my favourites at this time of year. There are loads of different varieties, so you can choose a height that is suitable for your tubs or borders and a colour that you like. Asiatic lilies are hybrids of many different species of lilies and have sturdy stems making them great cut flowers – but most are unscented, which I think means you are missing out on a valuable aspect. I always choose a variety from the Oriental Lilies, Easter Lilies or Candidum Lilies, all of which have the most amazing scent, and also make great cut flowers.
My swathes of Ox eyed daisies are going to seed a bit quicker this year due to the heat, but if I can get around to cutting them back soon, then they may well have a second flush of flowers – and it will reduce the self seeding (which I don’t need). I know a lot of people consider them to be a weed, but then we are back to perception.
And one of my favourite quotes to write in greeting cards – “May all your weeds be wildflowers.’
Montserratian Memories
A little randomly, July 8th, (Wednesday) is The National Day of Prayer Reflection and Thanksgiving in Montserrat, in the West Indies. I mention this as I lived on the Caribbean island for several years in my early 20’s. Air Studios (the recording studio) was in operation on the island at the time and I regularly windsurfed with Mark Knopfler, (if you listen to Walk of Life you’ll hear the line, ‘Danny, do the walk of life’ – Danny was the guy who taught us both to windsurf. I danced around the pool (or many pools) with Midge Ure, nearly set up a riding school on the island with Eric Clapton and spent hours at Air Studios with George Martin. It was an absolutely amazing time of my life, and proof that we just don’t know what life holds for us.
Sadly, Montserrat hit the headlines when the Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted on the 25th June 1997 and completely destroyed the capital Plymouth and the whole southern part of the island. Resilient islanders relocated to the north and set up new lives.
Years later when I presented the gardening series, Hot Plots for BBC Wales, the cameraman, Rob McDougall had actually recently been out to Montserrat to film the regeneration of the island. I just adore those sort of synchronicities.
The public holiday on Montserrat on Wednesday will bring the community together to reflect and give thanks for the blessings received despite past adversities.
I’ll be lighting a candle and remembering my life in a parallel universe!
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