Summer season - elderflower cordial.

It's Glastonbury Festival and Wimbledon this week, so, of course, we are getting a fair bit of rainfall - what's Glastonbury without mud! The garden is happy to receive a good soaking, although some plants appreciate it more than others.

This purple iris was looking beautiful before the rain spoilt it's petals.

And the clumps of geraniums have fared no better.

But in general the garden is refreshed and growing well.

'Charles de Mills' is such a good doer, although he does tend to wander all about the border.

And this is the first flower from the 'Reine des Violette' rose that I bought at the seed swap and potato fair in the spring. ('Cinderella' is in bud but has yet to bloom.)

The 'Sarah Bernhardt' peony buds have finally deigned to open!

Before the rain set in Himself hacked back an overgrown elderflower shrub on the border  and I gathered the flower heads to make cordial. 

50 or more flower heads.

4lbs sugar

2oz citric acid

2 sliced lemons

2 pints boiling water

Pour the boiling water over all the other ingredients. Stir well, cover the bowl with cling film.

Stir twice daily for five days, then strain into bottles.

Enjoy!