It’s a long weekend here in the UK although to be honest the surreal life of the last year has meant that it is all to easy to overlook these markers of time passing. The long weekend will be put to good use, the new shed has not been restocked yet so Monday is earmarked for moving things back. I will soon be able to lay my hands on the liquid feed, loppers and other essential paraphernalia with ease. In the meantime here are six things that have had me counting my blessings this week.
One
Apple blossom. This has been abundant this year, seemingly undaunted by the cold winds. Every tree is frothing with pink and white flowers and the bees have been humming their way around them. Here’s hoping for a generous crop.
Two
The first of the irises came through this week. They came from a neighbour’s front garden about six years ago and one patch is doing less than well so I shall replant them in the hope of provoking them into some better flowering for next year
Three
Tulips are opening up in the partially shaded part of the border. Somewhat patchy, and I may have been a little heavy handed with my replenishing of ‘Queen of Night’ but they have looked glorious this week.
Four
We gardeners sometimes, or is that often, need a good supply of patience and I really have gone above and beyond for this peony. I brought this with me when we moved and every year since it has put out some good looking new growth but it has never flowered in its new spot. And here’s the truth: it never flowered in its old spot! So it has had more than five years of my patience. I think this year maybe it’s last. I have told it so directly, the last resort for non-compliant garden plants. Last chance saloon. Honestly. Not another year will I wait.
Five
On the other hand, these tiny, tiny shoots have come through at the base of a very dead looking gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’. This is a great reward for a month’s worth of patience during April. I fear it has lost its planting companion pennisetum villosum but I am remaining patient just in case a warmer May encourages new growth.
Six
The iberis sempervirens (candytuft) had a difficult February during the frosts and had to have a severe cut back. The middle one of the three shown here suffered the most but is definitely making a come back.
Good things in the garden help us to keep a balance in our lives so I am hoping that everyone can find a happy moment in the garden this weekend – patience needed sometimes and sometimes good eyesight! I hope you also find the time to take a peek at The Propagator’s site for more Six On Saturday inspirations. Enjoy.
n20gardener 
My favorite fruit tree blossoms, apple! So pretty! Oh, gaura. I love it, and I just tore out all but a few of mine! The first few years it was well behaved, and then started volunteering everywhere and multiplying itself too! What I thought was nice mixed seeds germinating turned out to be nothing but gaura! They are so beautiful though, and passers-by would actually stop to look at them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I should be careful what I wish for, but…a few self seeded gaura would be wonderful! I think I’m in year three of mine so perhaps this year.
LikeLike
It’s so joyful to see plants come back that one had nearly given up on! I have been waiting impatiently for some sign of life from my Joe Pye Weed and just identified 2 purple spears pushing theough the soil yesterday. Now only my kiwi vine is giving me cause to worry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like joe pye weed. Yes, it’s very exciting to see the new growth. Good luck with kiwi vine.
LikeLike
Oh dear, that peony better buck its ideas up! I hear that if you plant them too deep they are reluctant to flower, you could try digging it up and planting it shallower. Or maybe just the compost heap? That iris is glorious, love it. Have a great weekend x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aah you have a stronger ruthless streak than me! But you may have persuaded me to give it another year!
LikeLike
That’s a lovely photo of the apple blossom, I have somehow struggled to get a good one of mine. I like your tulip combo, very harmonious, what is the white one with pink edges? And is the pink one Barcelona? You must have a special spiritual connection with that peony, it’s the only possible explanation, though the foliage is also very attractive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a distant memory but I think the peony is duchesse de Nemours which is lovely in flower so I’m eternally hopeful. The pink is Barcelona and the white with the pink edge is Shirley, one that I like a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to see an Iris already. I was looking at mine today, but they’re not there yet!
Have you tried talking sternly to the peony? It’s a long shot, but seeing as you’ve already invested so much of your time and patience, perhaps it might be worth it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very stern talking going on and some seaweed feed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your tulip display is lovely – my Queen of the Nights are just coming out. I’m a big fan of Gaura too – they use it a lot in France in municipal plantings – I love its airiness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I first spotted the gaura in France, at a place not far from Matisse’s house in Nice. It was glorious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had the same experience with my peony. I moved mine and it still hasn’t bloomed for more than 5 years: I talk to it every year so that it can be decided but no… still nothing! 😭
I will dig it up and plant it shallower, following Gill’s advice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good advice from Gill. I think I planted mine shallower when we moved, but maybe not shallow enough. So interesting to hear that others have this problem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have one peony in my garden, and like yours, it has never flowered. I’ve had it nearly seven years, and I’ve forgotten what colour the flower is supposed to be. Last year I moved it, so I’m hoping that the move will shock it into doing something.
Gaura seed all over my garden and I’m frequently having to pull seedlings out or it would soon take over. Good luck with yours: they’re such a delight during summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your peony responds, I hoped the move would shock mine but not so far. I wish my gaura would seed. If it really gets going I will remember to collect some or take some cuttings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, apple blossom! The Santa Clara Valley used to be famous for orchards, but almost all of the orchards produced stone fruits, with a few orchards of English walnut. Apple and pear orchards lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains above. Consequently, they are not quite as historically significant. I do appreciate them though.
LikeLike
You are right: our gardens do help keep a balance in our lives. I love your display of tulips. Captured from that perspective they really brighten the borders adjoining the path. Do you lift them all once they are flowered?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I leave them in, I do expect to lose some every year. They were lined up along the path so that it would be ‘easier’ to top them up each year. 😂
LikeLike
The colour range of tulips you have there is very lovely, and I particularly like those rather jolly white ones with lilac frilly edges. V nice indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those ones are ‘Shirley’ they are a favourite of mine too.
LikeLike
Oh, and the apple blossom! But I read the About and didn’t find out N20 alludes to. Probably missing something obvious?
LikeLiked by 1 person
N20 is a part of London, definitely not obvious! Thanks for visiting the about page.
LikeLike
You are more patient than me! Five plus years! I know Peony foliage is very attractive but I used to find that come August it started to leave a gap in the border.
The Tulips lining the path are beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person