AFTER THE RAIN
We've had plenty of rain this week, so actual gardening has been a bit limited. The garden has thrived on this neglect and it was difficult to choose what to feature in this weeks Six on Saturday, as there is so much to choose from. In the end the choice was made based on what photographed well.
There are plenty of roses, of course, so I'll start with them.
1. Madame Hardy
This is one of the Damask roses. It's a big plant and could do with some support (more than I've given it anyway). Growing around it are some white Campanula persicifolia, originally grown from seed, but now happily seeding themselves.
2. The Rose Garden
Here is a general view of the Rose Garden, which is dominated in the centre with white roses. They are mainly Margaret Merril with some Iceberg as well. Mixed in with them are foxgloves, geraniums and day lilies.
3. Cerinthe Major 'Purpurascens'
It's the first time I've grown this rather fashionable plant, with it's dusky purple drooping heads. The seed was sown on 1st March, so they grow quite fast. I understand they should seed themselves around now.
4. Delphiniums and Clematis integrifolia
A blue combination from the Long border. Have you come across these shrubby herbaceous clematis? They don't climb , but instead are clump forming. They are nice enough, but their flower heads aren't very showy. Perhaps they need to be at the front of a border where you can look down on them.
5. Astrantia 'Roma'
When I first designed the Rose garden I wasn't sure what to plant alongside the Roses. Geraniums and Astrantia were two plants that had to be included. Astrantia 'Roma' has grown into some decent sized clumps. These must be five or six years old now.
6. Back door pots
There seem to have been a few cat's appearing in these Six on Saturday posts, and I'm afraid I couldn't resist joining in . For the more gardening minded, the pots are filled with some of the smaller hostas, fushias grown from cuttings and some teeny, tiny Busy Lizzies grown from seed.
That's all from my garden for this week. Many thanks, as always, to The Propagator the creator of Six on Saturday.
This astrantia carpet is perfect! Very pretty rose garden with this statue in the distance: it must be nice to walk or rest there ...
ReplyDeleteThere's a little shady bench there too - perfect for a rest with a cup of tea after all the weeding.
DeleteThe astrantia looks very nice there. I read it needs more shade that my garden would give it though.
ReplyDeleteIt seems relatively happy in sun, but you know your garden best.
DeleteYou have a way with excellent fillers there, from the cerinthe and clematis to the astrantia. It must help greatly to hold off weeds!
ReplyDeleteYour comment reminded me of the following passage in a book on Nancy Lancaster (the interior designer and gardener)
Delete'How', she enquired of the gardener, 'have you got this garden so clean?' The answer was simple. 'I plants the plants so close, no weeds can grow.' It's true.
I too am admiring the astrantia...my new ones are so slow to make a go of things.
ReplyDeleteThey did take quite a few years to get to this size.
DeleteI like everything in your garden - the roses, delphiniums and astrantia - just dreamy!
ReplyDeleteYour rose garden is so romantic - I love it. You've got so many lovely plant combinations there. Wow.
ReplyDelete‘Madame Hardy’ is such a lovey rose and the campanula adds to the impact it has. Another peek at the rose garden is always welcome!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first attempt at growing Cerinthe Major 'Purpurascens' from seed too. Last time I had them, they were bought as seedlings. Mine are not in flower yet, I hope they look as good as yours.
I have two herbaceous clematis in the garden, but they’re tall, not shrubby. I quite like the idea of a low growing clematis for one of the borders.
Astrantia and roses (in my eyes) make perfect partners - Roma is fabulous - you’re causing me to reach for my pen and notebook with the wishlist inside it.
So beautiful! :)
ReplyDelete