Now the dust has settled and all the money has been received from garden owners, I am amazed that the Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail a couple of weeks ago raised an amazing £8,200 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It all goes to the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton. It was no mean feat with the challenging weather that we all experienced. We all met some lovely visitors, many of whom ate tea and cake under umbrellas in the gardens, now that’s dedication.

Thank you all. The date has been set for the 2022 event over the weekend of July 23 and 24.

Last weekend saw my final opening for the National Garden Scheme too. Next year I plan to only open by arrangement for them. It has been quite a disappointing summer in some respects. We have had lots of rain and none of my five open garden days were rain free unfortunately. Let’s hope next year we get more sun.

Doing well in my garden this week are the pretty Hemerocallis or day lilies. They are popular border plants with lily-like summer flowers in a wide range of colours and forms. Individual blooms are short-lived, hence the common name day lily, but they’re produced in rapid succession, with multiple flowering stems per plant, so creating an abundant show.

They are hardy and survive British winters outdoors with no additional protection, and most are herbaceous perennials, meaning they die down every autumn, then re-sprout reliably every spring. Some are evergreen, keeping their leaves all year round. The plants need little attention once settled in, and are happy in borders and containers. I have a gorgeous clump of orange ones in a large container by my pond.

Day lilies are easy to grow and thrive in almost any soil, in sun or partial shade, and will survive even the coldest winters. They combine well with many other border plants, including ornamental grasses, in both formal and informal, traditional and contemporary settings. The dwarf forms are ideal when space is limited. So maybe give them a go.

Next week I’m closing the garden gate for 2021 and have the last few pre-booked visitors coming to see Driftwood just before I do. It has been quite a busy year for private visitors, over 200 have booked to see the garden through June, July and early August and take the short tour with me guiding them around and revealing some of the stories behind the garden and its development since 2007. All the money raised from these visits has gone to Macmillan.

Read more at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk