We have suffered from some really mixed weather recently, I have done some bedding containers and baskets for the first time since the bad summers we had when I swore not to do them again, so I am a little bit nervous about the type of summer we are going to have. The good news is that the weather is forecast to be fantastic next week, but for how long?
Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii' is already fading to pink but the contrast between it and the Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea' is always welcome. The candelabra primulas are still going strong and in the foreground you can just see the tips of some of the containerised lilies emerging amongst the flowers of 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Although the azaleas have finished flowering, there is still some colour from the candelabras and a few scattered aquilegia. The next flush of colour will come from lilies, Astilbes and Eupatorium.The Cardiocrinum giganteum is well over 6' tall and just about to break bud.
The seed-heads of Meconopsis 'Lingholm' are at the forefront of this tangle containing alliums, clematis, campanulas, lilies, aquilegia, monkshood, Crocosmia, Hesperis matronalis, Chaerophyllum hirsutum roseum and the bells of Nectaroscordum siculum. The big leaves at the back belong to Telekia speciosa.
The rose on the arch is Albertine there are also four different clematis in there somewhere. I can no longer remember the name of the bamboo to the left but nestling in font of it is Euonymus japonicus Aureopictus 'Luna' which I have a struggle to stop reverting, probably because of its shady position.
This view encompasses my "primula bed" although the most dominant specimen in it is the yellow form of Meconopsis napaulensis complemented by the Sambucus Nigra 'Black Lace' surrounded by primulas, ferns, hostas, foxgloves et al.
I just love the metallic grey/green hostas they also seem to suffer less slug damage.
A jumble of hostas, geraniums, aquilegia, astilbes, ferns and Welsh Mountain Poppies with the odd Angelica archengelica and clump of Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' thrown in.
Looking back from the "woodland" bit, the fern-like green leaves (almost center) are those of Paeonia delavayi.
A view featuring another of my favourite plants which is just about to be covered in pink flowers, Spirea japonica 'Golden Princess'.
The splashes of white in some of the pictures are caused by another one of my favourites, Hesperis matronalis or Sweet Rocket, here it seen lighting up the deep shade of Cedrus atlantica 'glauca'. A brassica, it is actually a short lived perennial but is best grown as a biennial. Not only is it easy to grow from seed and will thrive in shade but it has a delightful light scent.
Here we have Astrantia 'Claret' being "stalked" by its neighbour on the right ........................
Ten days later and Boom! Geranium 'Eureka Blue' has gone off like a rocket!
Evergreen geranium, G. macrorrhizum has scented leaves and grows in shade. Helleborus argutifolius syn. H.corsicus is sprouting new growth, I should have removed the old flower heads by now but they are so attractive.
Hydrangea petiolaris syn. Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris dominates the side of the house.
Iris chrysographes 'Black Gold', grown from seed this has proved to be a really reliable plant, the slim, almost black flowers putting on a show every year.
Has anyone any idea as to which deciduous azalea this is please.
Rodgersia pinnata 'Hercules' |