Bristly oxtongue

Another in my series of uncultivated plants found in our garden.  This one delights in the name of bristly oxtongue.  Our plant is a rather pathetic specimen alongside our hedge - not thriving, perhaps because there is a little too much competition.  I've photographed it a number of times over the last couple of weeks - because of its position close to the hedge, it is difficult to get enough light on it.  And for some time, I struggled to identify it.

Apparently it was a traditional antihelminthic (parasitic worms) treatment.

It has been hotter, more sunny, and drier than forecast - we had a little thunder at one point, but no rain.  I spent several hours in the morning clearing the spent aquilegias and delphiniums.  I also pulled up a considerable amount of self seeded purple toadflax - I don't feel guilty about removing this particular uninvited garden guest, as it was making a bid for garden domination, and I am sure that I have missed many small seedlings which will thrive next year.  I have unearthed a fuchsia that had been overwhelmed - its leaves have been made into interesting shapes by leaf cutting bees, but maybe now it will have a chance to flower.  I also uncovered the little silver willow we planted in a corner, which I don't think managed to flower this year, and looks much the worse for being buried in exuberant aquilegia - next spring we must give it some tlc.