Back from a week away and the garden has moved on

I came back from a work trip and the garden had carried on without me, which is always both reassuring and slightly rude. The strawflowers had burst into colour, the phlox suddenly had contenders for favourite status, and everything had clearly decided not to wait for me to catch up.

The garden is looking tired in places after the heat and I have not been as on top of the watering and deadheading as I would like. The sweet peas in pots are definitely done now. Still, there is something comforting about coming back to see what has coped, what has thrived, and what is ready to take over next.