FOXGLOVES AND PEONIES

After the cold Spring the garden is still trying to catch up.  It would usually be roses all the way by now, but they are only just beginning to flower.  Instead it's Foxgloves and Peonies which are making their debut this week.  

1. The Long Border

It was a bit hot here this week, but the back of this border was in the shade.  Still couldn't manage more than half an hour weeding and staking before I got overheated and had to retreat for a nice cold drink with The World of Interiors (which now has an annual gardens section).  Even they can't resist the lure of a nice plant.

On the far left of the long border the sky blue delphiniums are just opening up, with a more purply blue from the salvia, and grey blue tones in the foliage of Iris Pallida and Rue.



Further along, a clump of Kniphofia 'Traffic Lights' is in full fling.  I'm always confused about the supposed flowering times of Kniphofia, which seem to be earlier for me than the late Summer flowering time claimed in plant catalogues.



2. Cool Blue

More cooling colour in the recent hot weather came from this shady corner in the Rose Garden.  In the background is a lavender colour Rhododendron.


In the foreground are plants which were leftover from elsewhere in the garden - Geranium 'Buxton Blue', Astrantia Major, and a white edged Hosta.  I'm rather pleased with it.


3. Foxgloves

I promised you Foxgloves at the start of this post and now, after that slight detour, here they are.  I have rogued out the pink ones in this border, although I'm happy to have them in other areas of the garden, so I'm left with just the pure white ones.



I was going to ask you to have a go at identifying the plant in the picture below, but I've rather given it away now.  Have you ever seen the like?


4. Peonies

Not all the Peonies are open yet, but a couple of white ones have made an appearance.  

My favourite is the very double Paeonia lactiflora 'Immaculee'.




Although I have to admit that Paeonia lactiflora 'White Wings' is more photogenic.





4. Sisyrinchium striatum

When we moved here this plant was growing in a tiny patch of gravel and rubble.  I split it and replanted it, as you do, to make more, thinking it would probably not be very happy in heavy clay.  Reader, I was wrong! I may have unleashed a monster.  



Given half a chance it would self seed itself over the entire garden.  Thankfully they are very easy to pull out.

6. Rosa Arthur Bell

This is another plant introduced in the early days of the garden.  It's a yellow floribunda (eek).  Could it be any more unfashionable?



Smells wonderful though.

I'm afraid I've used up all my space for this week so it's time to say goodbye.  Thanks to The Propagator for hosting Six on Saturday come rain or shine.




Comments

  1. I think I have the same double peony as you. Mine is unlabelled but the flowers will look great. They are starting to open up and maybe I will introduce them next week. Pretty geranium 'Buxton Blue', well flowered and bright

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking good! Lovely peonies and all the blues are cool and calming. And I love Arthur Bell, in or out of fashion. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. The blues look very nice, and cooling.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Goodness me, how do you get your Peonies to stand so upright? Mine flop right over whatever I do to them, so that's one reason they ended up on my hat this week! The blue geranium makes a great partner for the white Astrantia. Really pleased to hear that Sisyrinchium likes clay, it's a plant I've admired from afar but like you didn't think it would like my garden. I shall think again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Peonies are staked using Twist Easy or half hoop plant supports. As the blooms open up they will no doubt flop.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, I have the have hoop style ones and various twiggy matter. Makes no difference!

      Delete
  5. Lovely Peonies. Is that a mutated Foxglove? Funnily enough I was reading about them very recently. I'm very jealous - I can't resist those sort of weird and wonderful variations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure whether I'm fascinated or weirded out by such things. A bit of both I think.

      Delete
  6. I looked up mutant foxgloves and discovered the word "peloric", along with its meaning. Plus lots of pictures of foxglove flowers like yours. Actinomorphic flowers on a plant that usually has zygomorphic flowers. Given a close-up I'd maybe have thought Cobaea? I've learned something today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought Cobaea too and that I might be accused of faking up my photo!

      Delete
  7. Lovely colour combinations. I've been admiring the Sisyrinchium striatum in my mum's garden this weekend but noticed there's a lot of it! Rosa Arthur Bell is a beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It hitched a ride on a plant I gave my Mum, so you may find it in your garden too.

      Delete
  8. Your garden looks wonderful in all its June finery. The foxglovs is interesting. I have had them come up fasciated before but never anything like that.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yet again you've blown me away with your beautiful herbaceous plants. I love the 'White Wings' peony. It's gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your long border is amazing. I love the colour combinations you have created. And nothing wrong with a yellow rose, especially when it has such healthy foliage!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your borders are beautiful and I love the single Peony. I don’t seem to have a single white Foxglove this year, sadly

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts