We never plant between July and September. Nursery stock is in full growth, plants are easily damaged and transport costs go up as stock is naturally at its largest. The weather is unpredictable and a dry spell will annihilate plants struggling to come to terms with their new home. This July however we were forced to plant two gardens. Circumstances meant that the stock was ready and both clients promised they would accept the risks and be able to water their gardens daily. That hardly seems to have been necessary in hindsight, but I can happily report that both gardens are lush and full of vigour. I think that there has been only one fatality, and the effect is that the gardens look like I might have expected them to, next year. I still don’t intend to make a habit of planting midsummer but whilst it’s been a season for us to tdream of hot Valencian gardens, the plants there would wish they were here.