IT is July and gardens are filled with flowers. Summer perennials are in full bloom, while bedding and tender perennials are bursting into life now they are safe from frost.

The plants in our extended border are doing well and the empty spaces are gradually being filled with clumps of foliage topped with bright blooms. Anthemis tinctoria 'E.C. Buxton', which was planted last summer, has grown enormously after struggling in the dry conditions of its first few months here. It was bought from the small nursery at Percevall Hall Gardens near Pateley Bridge, where there is a peaceful 16-acre garden set in the picturesque countryside of Wharfedale. The gardens are open daily until October and are well worth a visit.

Back in York, the 'E C Buxton' is planted with campanula lactiflora seedlings and Erigtron 'Azurt', both of which are of similar height to the anthemis. The lilac shades of the campanula are picked up the deeper ware blue of the Erigtron, the yellow centres of which echo those of the anthemis.

Around the feet of these plants grow small euphorbias, lungwort and ground cover campanulas, while on the wall behind the rich flowers of clematis Star of India are beginning to open.

The tall stems of thalictrum flavum are being buffeted by the wind. This is a good plant to give height in the garden but it is hard to support adequately as it can grow to two metres or more. Its height usually puts it towards the back of the border where it is easier to hide supports. However, the ferny foliage tends to be hidden by other plants and the fluffy flowers get tangled in wall shrubs. I am thinking of moving mine further forward to grow with a clump of dark blue delphiniums which should contrast nicely with the blue-grey leaves and yellow flowers of the thalictrum.

In a dry area under a holly tree, variegated honesty has finished flowering and is beginning to develop its seeds. This part of the garden is difficult to plant, the soil is very dry and constantly covered in leaves dropping from the tree. However, the honesty does well although it is at its best in spring when the foliage is new and covered in fragrant white blooms.

Now the leaves look less fresh and the energy of the plants is going into the seed. Flat, rounded green pods are developing and the swelling seed is snug inside.

Updated: 16:04 Friday, July 02, 2004