It’s an emotional life being a gardener. This week I have experienced frustration with the slow growing dahlias, sadness for the agastache that didn’t come through the winter and anxiety over the lack of rain. Fortunately there have been plenty of joys too. Here’s six good things from the garden.
One
The monthly look at the border. From this angle the delphiniums are blocking the view of the roses that are just coming into flower. Everything is filling out very well and for the moment the water butts are providing enough water. As I enjoyed all the new growth I was struck by how I have, almost without exception, gone for height on this border. Not much gradation going on here, but I like it. The brown patch is still awaiting inspiration and so for the third year will be home to the annuals grown from seed. I’m thinking about trying libertia chilensis (grandiflora) here – more height.
Two
Now for the detail of the main border. This is allium ‘Mount Everest’ which in itself it lovely but there’s a little disappointment here as I planted 12 bulbs two years ago and topped them up with six more this year. Flowering result this year: four. They do grow tall but the flower heads are quite small. I suppose any larger and they would wobble on their long stems.
Three
Behind the delphiniums lurk rosa ‘Wisley’ and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. This week ‘Wisley’ gets to be the star. The roses were planted three years ago and this year they are excelling themselves.
Four
Behind the ‘Wisley’ roses are a clump of ‘White City’ irises. Again they have been in the ground for three years, having come to me from a division of a friend’s clump.
Five
Climbing up the back fence, in shade in the morning but catching the sun by the afternoon is ‘Madame Alfred Carriere’. This was planted out last autumn and I am impressed by it’s the speedy progress and generous flowering. A winner.
Six
The not quite open irises featured last week have burst forth and are stunning. These also came from a friend’s garden and I have promised to pass them on again to two more friends.
So this week’s little homily is there’s good and bad in life and in the garden but keeping the good in focus is what’s important! I looked up the meaning of homily and I rather liked this definition: advice that is often not wanted.
It’s another long weekend in the UK and I shall be helping out at a local plant sale on the Sunday. Also on the to do list are planting out the overwintered pellies into the summer containers and prepping the veg beds for the beans, courgettes and cucumbers. I shall also be peering optimistically at the parsnip and carrots sowings, and undoubtedly doing some watering. Happy gardening to all. For the links to more SOS postings go to The Propagator’s blog and feast your eyes on what’s on offer.
I’ve planted the same group of plants either side of a small path.. The Agastache ‘Alabaster’ were in the garden already and they have now been joined by Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ and Pennisetum villosum. Fingers crossed for next summer.
On the diagonal opposite to this area is what was fondly known as ground elder corner. After three summers of digging it out I think I have the upper hand and so I am beginning to put in some permanent plants. First to go in is Trachelospermum jasminoides, a firm six on saturday favourite. I’m hoping it will very quickly cover the great expanse of unattractive brown fence.
Also adding some late colour are these Lillies. Yet more naming debates: are they now Schizostylis, or Hesperantha? I know which one I prefer. These came from the old garden and are bulking up nicely.
And since repetition is allowed and because the late colour is so fabulous, I give you again the Salvia ‘Amistad’ and the Rose, Darcy Bussell. The Salvias mooched along all summer but they have really established themselves in the last month. Darcy Bussell just keeps on putting out new buds.
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