A WEEK IN MY GARDEN 16 MAY - IN THE KNOT GARDEN

The Knot Garden is designed to look its best in May with its Lupins, Iris and Lilacs, so it will not surprise you to learn that this week's post is going to focus on this particular part of the garden. 

It's going to be mainly photos and not too much chat.  A few varieties of Iris were in the garden already, so I don't know their names, and I've added a few more from open gardens and from friends, which have also arrived without names.  Which means I haven't got much to say. (Try not to be too upset).

A White Iris

The Knot Garden is presided over by an ancient Mulberry Tree (or possibly just very old).  The leaves are some of the last to unfurl, so the grass grows well underneath it and there is a froth of cow parsley too.  I like a little cow parsley around the edges of the garden.  It looks very pretty and natural, and living in the heart of the countryside (as we do) I don't have to do anything, it just appears.

The Mulberry Tree 

Anthriscus sylvestris

The general concept is that on one side of the garden the colours are purple mixed with warmer shades like dark red and burgundy.

Iris acquired from local Open Gardens

Iris 'Superstition'

Whereas on the other side purple shades are mixed with cooler shades of lemon yellow, lilac and white with Thalictrum and Valerian pyrenaica .

Iris 'Matt's Yellow' - an Iris given to me by Matt (and it's yellow)

The iris filled borders wrap around central beds edged with yew with a standard Photinia in each.

I have a couple of Benton Iris in the garden - those Iris that were bred by the artist Cedric Morris at Benton End, and have been brought back to prominence (and propagation) by Sarah Cook the former head gardener at Sissinghurst.  Cedric liked Iris with unusual subtle colours and markings and named them after friends and his cats!

There are two that have now flowered.  Now I look back at the photos I have taken, it seems the colours are so subtle that it is hard to differentiate between them.  Certainly the lighting and the iphone doesn't seem to have picked up the differences.

Benton Diedre

Benton 'Lorna'

There is a display of the Benton Iris at this years Chelsea Flower Show which I am going to on Thursday - Yippee.  I will report back next week.

One last thing before I wrap up.  This is Mr B's favourite garden picture this week.  The first rose to flower in the garden is always Golden Showers on the south facing terrace.  Here is the view along the terrace towards the  pink Rhododendron.

That's all for now.  Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope you have a good week in your garden.