It's July and despite our mixed up weather the Philadelphus shrub just like clockwork has popped its blooms and scattered its scent over our garden wall.
Nicknamed Mock Orange it appears with lilies of the same colour and which will be much in evidence during the marches also associated with this month.
It has been rain, rain and more rain these past few weeks and while yet more is forecast, perhaps the Philadelphus heralds some warm sunny days ahead. It wouldn't put its head over the wall to mock us. Would it?