Some July Specials.

Thalictrum flavum subsp.glaucum and Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’

Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur and Dianthus carthusianorum

Geranium Johnson’s Blue and Lychnis chalcedonica

Who would have thought a runner bean flower could be so beautiful?

In the raised beds edging the patio Runner Bean White Emergo

Do you have some July Specials in your garden?

Good things come in small packages.

Clematis fusca

Wisteria, Iris, Cornus kousa, Clematis, Alliums and Alliums in early June.

A video tour of Our Garden@19 in early June. Please select Watch on YouTube and select full screen.

We are opening our garden for the National Garden Scheme on the 28th June, whilst some of these will be over the climbing roses among others should be in full swing.

Tulips and Blossom.

I have begun an experiment with tulips this year, following an article I read by Fergus Garrett from Great Dixter regarding which tulips they found to be perennial.

The most reliable ones being the Darwin Hybrids, I planted three varieties in November, two in pots and one in the borders.
The real test will be next year if they flower as well. One indication mentioned in the article was whether the bulbs had divided into several small ones or remained as one big bulb, these being the ones worth saving.

I planted Tulip ‘Apeldoorn’ in pots placed in several areas around the garden. Please Click on gallery pictures to enlarge.

These remind me of the traditional cottage garden tulips similar to the ones I brought home from my Great Aunt’s garden.

Tulip Hakuun aka ‘White Cloud’ in large white pots in the White and Green garden.

Tulip ‘Daydream’ was planted in bulb saucers in the borders along with
Forget- Me-Nots and Wall Flowers.

Tulip ‘Abu Hassan’ has already proved to be perennial here, these tulip bulbs were purchased three years ago.

Tulip ‘Ballede’ was planted in the borders ten years ago and while its numbers have reduced over time, I think for such a beautiful tulip, it will be worth topping up next autumn.

Providing some spring cheer in the welcome rain is Clematis ‘ Pamela Jackman ‘ with pots of Azaleas at her feet.

Along with Apples ‘Rosett’ and ‘Blenheim Orange’…..

….is the Crab Apple ‘Golden Hornet’.

Have you found any tulip varieties to be perennial in your garden?

July Garden Joy.

Clematis ‘Madame Julia Correvon’ and Rosa ‘Francis E Lester’.

What is bringing you July Garden Joy?

April Top Ten.

A quick tour around Our Garden@19 to capture my Top Ten, joining Chloris at The Blooming Garden.

The White and Green garden, Lunaria annua ‘Alba’ and Tulip ‘Spring Green’.

Lunaria annua ‘Rosemary Verey’ and Cytisus ‘Golden Cascade’

The Lego inspired Bug Hotel with Roof Garden.

You can see more April Top Ten by visiting The Blooming Garden

Do you have a favourite or a top ten of your own?

The Birds and the Bees…

Today (Friday) was the first day of sunshine here and after too many days of rain, it does bring a song into your heart.

I ventured out into the garden to finish pruning the climbing roses, before I began, I decided to do a tour with the camera. The gardener’s friend, was as usual, keeping an eye on me while providing his own welcome tune.

The Mohonia in full flower, with the sunshine, brought the honey bees out from their hives.

They were also visiting the Clematis which scrambles all over it.

The Flowers and the Trees.

By the front door there are pots planted up for a seasonal display with Carex, Ferns, Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’, Erica x darleyensis ‘Phoebe’, Thuja ‘Goldy and the…

…Snowdrop elwesii…

…and a hellebore.

Another pot contains the Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’.

On the other side of the door an Euonymus is trained against the wall with Sarcococca confusa in front…

…the powerful scent from the Sacococca ( Christmas Box) fills the house every time the door is opened.

Sarcococca confusa with Euonymus Emerald & Gold

In the Oriental garden the Hamamelis is in full flower, I have mentioned before I would not recommend this variety, because it holds on to its dead leaves. I removed them all before taking this picture.

The sunshine was highlighting the Erica ‘Albert’s Gold’ by the entrance to the White and Green garden and the standard variegated Holly, Ilex ‘Argentea Margenata’ at the back.

Around the Holly are planters with variegated Myrtle, Tulips just starting to show and Vinca minor ‘Alba’

IMG_2875_001 — Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Margenata’ & Myrtus Communis Variegata

The snowdrops are beginning to open around the garden, especially where the sun reaches…

…the common double, which was given to me by a friend, are clumping up well, ready to divide later on…

…as is the winter aconite, although more slowly.

The Prunus Serrula always looks wonderful with the sunlight on its bark, its mug decorations ( Mug Tree) have so far survived the winter.

Around its roots is a Skimmia and variegated Ivy. Many gardeners fear ivy in the garden, I like to see it, the variegated forms are not so vigorous, while providing some colour to lighten a dark area of the garden along with being good for wildlife.

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ & Variegated Hedra.

It is easy to ignore plants such as Skimmia when everything else is in full flower, however at this time of year they make a welcome contribution to the garden and this one below is a little more unusual than most.

The House Sparrows are gathering in the top of a Viburnum before diving down on to the ground feeders.

Version 2

What ‘Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees’ are making you sing in your garden?

Wordless Wednesday 7/6/2017 !!

Catching up!

One problem for a gardener who chooses to go away on holiday in May is the work preparing to go away and then to catch up on your return. This is especially so when you have an open garden date looming in June. This also applies to catching up on reading and writing blogs.

Here is a quick tour of our garden@19 to see what is currently performing following the absences of the gardener.

The copper barrier has so far protected the Hostas, although we have not yet had any challenging slug weather. (warm rain).

Leading off the patio the white wisteria has survived the late frost and is now in full bloom.

The White and Green garden is home to Hosta Patriot, the white Hesperis matronalis…

…and Allium Mount Everest.

The Iris are at their peak, here in the front garden…

Also in the Blue Border along with Allium Purple Sensation and Euphorbia ‘palustris’ is…

The Iris sibirica are just stating to open, this is such an easy, beautiful plant to grow.

The Welsh Poppy cheerfully seeds itself around every where.

The last of the Rhodo’s to flower.

The Clematis are beginning to do their thing..

…along with a new Climbing Rose, which true to its name, it is the first to flower this year.

Whether Home or Away, take a seat for a moment and enjoy a garden. This weekend is the NGS Anniversary Weekend Open Gardens. May 27th to 29th is their 90th Anniversary weekend and will see over 370 gardens opening for a weekend of horticultural delight.

For information about the open gardens, where to find one near you and the charities they support please visit NGS

What is ‘Performing’ for you in your garden in May?