My first day at Dixter II

Then we were in the Long Border deadheading Phlox 'Ladd's Pink', to encourage it to flower more. As it's part of a border that on display and is to look good throughout most of the year, we cut the dead flower heads to the next bud or to where it was logical if new shoots were coming through to give them a chance, but trying to maintain their height (it grows to about 80cm high).

I had to step tenuously into the tightly packed border and not stomp my clumsy feet on anything precious, especially this beautiful Clematis called 'Edward Pritchard' just draped over plants languidly.