If your garden has poor soil, old stone walls and faces south, and you want colour with little to no effort on your part you can do worse than grow the valerian. This plant thrives in poor soil and walls that receive hot sun. Of course, once you've got it the plant will spread itself everywhere. However, for a couple of months you will have a profusion of red, pink or white blooms - or, preferably all three colours. The example in today's photograph has secured itself to a slightly restored window high up in the ruins of Tintern Abbey. One wonders just how little sustenance and water it receives from its precarious location.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10
