Six on Saturday: the terrace

Tags

burnet, dolly tub, geranium, jasmine clotted cream, Lemon Verbena, olive trees, Pelargonium gray lady Plymouth, pelargonium tomentosum, Rosemary, sanguisorba, six on saturday

I have not talked about the plants on the terrace before. It is only accessed through the house and as such is completely private and not open for my NGS opening.

South facing, it is walled in three places and consequently very sheltered. Comprising a deck with raised beds the plants came from my old garden and are more suited to the hot spot with better drainage. Anyway less chat, here’s the six to share with you and The Propagator

1. Jasmine ‘Clotted Cream’

The aroma is heady in the evenings, really lovely. It is borderline hardy and loses it’s leaves over winter.

2.

Just plain old Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis but it’s very happy and looks lovely in spring covered in blue flowers.

I use it in cooking but even Nigella would struggle to use this much.

3. Sanguisorba officinalis

I love these claret coloured pastilles bobbing about.

4.

Silver toned foliage of Olive tree. Olea europaea. This was a tiny example when planted and now it is about 2m tall. I love the foliage.

5. Scented leaves

Have I mentioned how much I love a scented leaf? In my dolly tub I have Geranium/ Pelargonium tomentosum, Lemon Verbena and Geranium/ Pelargonium gray lady Plymouth . Not especially interesting to look at but tactile and soft as puppy ears, Geranium tomentosum is also strongly mint scented. Lemon Verbena is like sherbet lemons when crushed.

6. Wonky Topiary

Not meant to be wonky but I now see that it is. Buxus.

Better put my goggles on next time!

That’s it, my Six for this Saturday. Thanks to the Propagator for hosting, enjoy your weekend, wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: it’s August

Tags

Alex Moore, August, Echinacea Delicious Candy, Echinacea purpurea, Echinops ritro white, Helianthus salicifolius, madebymoore, sempervivums, six on saturday, Succulents, Vitis coignetiae, weather

It is August yet the weather seems to think otherwise. I took these pictures yesterday morning when they were blowing in the wind and covered in rain, rather than basking in any glorious August sunshine. Hey ho, it could be worse, it could be today! What a shocker. Truly atrocious summer weather.

Here’s the six:

Six succulents. Some are Sempervivums I hear you cry.

I don’t have names for any of these apart from Aeonium zwartkop (that’s the fourth one). These grow well in coastal regions in the UK but here in my garden on the Herts. /Bucks borders, mine survive, rather than thrive.

The succulents are precious to me and they are carefully placed in the house over the winter months as they are not at all hardy and they hate our wet cold winters. Don’t we all.

The Houseleeks or sempervivums are left outside but under glass to protect them from the worst or the weather. They are quite tough really.

I enjoy these every Summer and forget how annoying it is in the Winter to find space for them.

2.

This is the third year for Althea cannabina and it has hit its stride. Wonderful, wafting in the wind, oodles of soft pink, mallow like flowers, taller than me. I wouldn’t be without it. Here it has fronds of Molinia Transparent and Coreopsis Verticillata Moonbeam behind it.

3. Echinacea ‘Delicious Candy’

I purchased this last August, drawn to its luminous colour and name. It is beginning to bulk up. Cathy remarked that these do not do well in her garden ( frankly the only thing, everything she grows looks so good) after one appeared earlier this week in my IAVOM. Echinacea do like an open site and with room to bulk up, to thrive. They only lasted one year in my last garden.

3. Echinacea purpurea

This is their time. Flowering when the roses are recharging their batteries. Good with grasses. Just great for bees.

4.

This pile of green leaves may not look very interesting but trust me, it will be a stunner this autumn. Vitis coignetiae or Crimson Glory vine. It is climbing over the garage wall and has reached onto the roof. It will be in for a major chop soon enough.

5.

The willow like foliage is what I grow the perennial sunflower for. Helianthus salicifolius. It will have small daisy like flowers in the autumn and will reach 2.5m tall.

The yellow flowers I like less. I am even considering pinching out the flowers as they will detract from the shaggy texture which is so intriguing. Alas the wind is battering them today.

6. Echinops

These pale Pom poms are taking over. Echinops ritro white. I like them less than E Veitch Blue but these are better suited to my heavy soil. In case you are wondering what is in the centre of the picture, it is the bird feeder made by Alex Moore.

I love how it is fully surrounded by plant life now.

Joining our host The Propagator who is on his ‘olidays. Enjoy !

Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: phew! (we survived the heat)

Tags

asiatic lilies, daylilies, hemerocallis Little Grapette, Hydrangea paniculata limelight, lilies, lily martagon, shasta daisies, six on saturday, Turks cap lily, Verbena bonariensis

Hello and welcome to Six on Saturday, hosted by The Propagator .

This is the week that has seen temperatures to break records, although not quite. This is the week that has seen a change in Prime-minister, and yet there was no general election. This is the week that held up the gardener as it was just too darned hot for this Dorris.

This was the week that saw the first opening of my asiatic lilies. Their scent filled the hot evening air.

Is there a more heady scent or a more handsome flower? Perhaps, but not open this week.

2. Purple reigns. This is the week that I really sat up to notice that the Verbena bonariensis may be making a bid for garden domination.

Good job I love it.

3. I took a shady walk in the beautiful gardens at Stowe this week. Set out by Capability Brown the landscape gardens are always an enjoyable place to visit. What caught my eye were these:

Lily martagon or Turks cap lilies. They are tiny compared to the asiatic lilies above but their markings are exquisite. I shall have to try growing some next year. Are they easy enough?

4. This morning the weather has changed. Another extreme, thunderstorms and a power cut first thing. Raindrops on the Shasta daisies are a refreshing sight.

I do love a daisy.

5. I know I shared Hemerocallis Little Grapette before but it is very lovely so do please forgive me.

6. Standing on my head for this one

First openings of Hydrangea paniculata Limelight.

This is when I like it most, fresh and lime. Alas it will fade to pink and please me less. Who said I am fussy.

Thats it, phew.

Have a good weekend, wherever you are. Thanks for reading. D.

Six on Saturday: everything but the kitchen sink

Tags

Ammi majus, Ammi visnaga, Cercis canadensis, Crocosmia Lucifer, Echinacea purpurea, hydrangea arborescens Annabelle, Hymenocallis, July, poppy seed heads, sempervivums, six on saturday, Spiderlily, Verbena bonariensis

Blast off! This is such an exciting sight for me, the Spiderlily is flowering. Granted not as exciting as man on the moon and it is not a Spider from Mars but it is a spider from me. I love it! Looking smart enough to be allowed in the house. The clay pot is my one special Whichford Pottery pot.

2.

A fistful of flowers for a friend.

There are verbena bonariensis, Hydrangea Annabelle, Echinacea purpurea, poppy seed heads, a pink lily, Ammi majus and Ammi visnaga both grown easily from seed and a Buddleja flower . All of these are from my garden.

3. Leading you down the garden path:

My favourite tree, Cercis canadensis has thrived since it was moved from its pot into the raised bed. I am enjoying how it is overhanging the path. ( I know I keep using this using this on my SOS but I don’t care, I think it’s fab.)

4. Successful looking succulents and sempervivums

Those of you who grow these know that little skill is required, just free draining soil and lots of grit. I think they are delightful, each one slightly different.

5. In your face, red

This is Crocosmia Lucifer. Such a vibrant red. It is very, in your face, dominant but I am quite liking them with the Stipa tenuissima behind.

6. This is Hydrangea time. Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle.

I do love a Hydrangea and they have become fashionable again so that’s good.

How could anyone could resist these.

How they graduate from lime to creamy white, getting fuller and bigger as they open. ( shown in reverse order here).

That’s it, my Six on Saturday. The Propagator is our host and thanks to him we share our favourites each week.

I hope you have a great week wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: summertime

Tags

Cercis canadensis, cornflowers, hydrangea arborescens Annabelle, July, poppies, seed heads, six on saturday, stipa tenuissima, Succulents

Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle is opening, surely a sign that it is summer. These are flower filled mops, in a creamy lime colour tone that looks as if it was lifted from one of those Farrow&Ball colour charts. Gorgeous.

This is my first of the Six On Saturday I’m sharing with our host The Propagator

2. Another sign of summer has to be that the succulents are outside

Not the best examples but loved nonetheless.

3. Forest pansy is a beautiful specimen and a real favourite of mine.

Back lit the colour is arguably unbeatable. Cercis canadensis.

4.

Haze. This haze is created by the delightfully tactile Stipa tenuissima. I love these grasses for their movement; the slightest breath of air is all they need to move.

5. Opium poppies

These are very short lived but so pretty and wonderful for bees . Today they have finished flowering and I am left with fat grey seed heads.

I love these almost as much.

6.

Cornflowers are such a wonderfully intense blue, not unlike a Sir Terence Conran shirt. Great for cut flowers, great colour in the border. An easy plant. Sprinkle some seed in the spring and Bobs your uncle.

Whether Bob is your uncle or not, you see that this selection includes some of the easiest peasiest plants to grow. What are you Six favourites today? Join us.

Have a lovely weekend wherever you are. Thanks for reading. D.

Six on Saturday: our hottest day so far

Tags

Erigeron karvinskianus, nasturtium Empress of India, poppy seed heads, Salvia Amistad, six on saturday, Verbena bonariensis

It is according to the Met office the hottest June day on record. 33 degrees here. Scorchio. I started to take pictures this morning but gave up as it was just too bright. Rose ‘Morning Mist’ sweltering. This is a David Austin rose which was a gift and currently covers the wall by almost 2m square. A prolific flowering rose.

2

Verbena bonariensis is a great performer on my heavy soil. Nearly 2m tall. I love it for the butterflies it attracts and it’s all round prettiness.

3.

Self sown Erigeron. It’s in all the nooks and crannies on the drive. I have to pull it out. Delightfully cheerful. Everyone loves a daisy, right?

4.

Seed heads of poppies. These are everywhere as I shook them all about last year. Short lived but worth it.

5.A new addition

Salvia Amistad . I saw this at Great Dixter and loved its papal purple. Hoping it will thrive I have placed it in a raised bed to assist with drainage. Fingers crossed.

6. Last but not least

A zingy shout from Nasturtium Princess of India. I shall be adding this to my salads. Brother Dorris, if you’re reading, you have been warned.

These are my Six. The Propagator is our host. Thanks to him we get to share our favourite six. Join in or just read them. It’s harmless and fun and no one mentions Brex***t. All good.

Enjoy this amazing weather wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: market sights, Delft

Tags

canals, Delft, flower market, hollyhocks, six on saturday, the Netherlands

Greetings from the Netherlands. This morning we took a stroll around the town and these are my favourite six to share with you and The Propagator

1. The canals are looking pretty with water lilies 

There are hollyhocks growing on the path sides .

2. Famous for the blue and white porcelain or Delftware.

3. It was market day and the flowers sellers had armfuls of peonies for €6

4. There were delightful mixed bunches ready to take away. Pastel shades

5 fabulous mop head hydrangeas

Only €3 for 3 stems

6. My favourites were the flowers in strong jewel colours.

Colours as vibrant as this selection of candles

I hope you have had a wonderful Saturday wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: Winslow

Tags

Astrantia major shaggy, buxus, ferns, gardens open for charity, Hydrangea petiolaris, six on saturday, Winslow in Bloom

This morning I helped my friend prepare her garden for Winslow open gardens. There was not anything major needed, rather pulling forget me nots and weeds and nipping back any over leggy growth on the shrubs. While I tackled these jobs my friend trimmed up all the box.

The weather was foul, windy, rainy and chilly. Everything was sopping wet from yesterday’s rain so anything we touched, showered us with more water. My Soggy Six today, joining The Propagator are from her lovely garden.

1.

Hydrangea petiolaris in full lace. This grows on a deeply shaded wall of a neighbouring building and is at least 9ft up the wall. Birds are nesting so it will be tackled later in the summer when the birds have moved out and the flowers finished.

2. Ferns

My friend loves a fern and they do well in her walled garden with its deep loamy soil. This pair are in pots and we do not know the name but how delicate and ethereal next to the pot of Hydrangea .

3. Ferns ( again)

This is Dryopteris wallichiana a showstopper in colour and size. Growing amongst alchemilla Mollis and pulmonaria.

4.

Astrantia are delightful at the moment, unstressed, not too dry, looking perky.

We believe this to be Astrantia shaggy looking perfect against Hardwick white painted timber.

5. Clipped box

This group is looking very happy after its trim.

Peonies helpfully waiting to open, ideally for the open day.

6. Mint and drift

In a raised bed sits a large hunk of driftwood. At this time of year it adds interest to the large clump of mint growing happily in the dappled light.

That’s it, my Six to share.

If you are a local reader, Winslow in Bloom is next Sunday 16 June at 11am-5pm. £5 entrance covers you for up to 11 gardens. Funds raised go to local charities. Have a good weekend wherever you are. D.

Six on Saturday: kaleidoscope

Tags

Allium christophii, Allium Purple Sensation, Allium shubertii, Astrantia 'Roma', calendula, cytisus battandieri, Eschscholzia, marigolds, papaver Perry’s White, Rose 'Gertrude Jekyll', Sambucus Nigra, six on saturday

Orange.

Hello June, goodbye May. The garden has exploded into a kaleidoscope of colour. Above is the first of my Six on Saturday. Eschscholzia. They are self sown from last year and have popped up in drifts. I couldn’t have created this show if I had tried.

Marigolds.

The Propagator asks us to share six sights from our garden on a Saturday, a fun thing to do. Try and join us. His blog has any instructions you might need. My Six today are colour themed.

2. Purple

Of course it had to be Allium Purple Sensation. Old hat maybe but still a great colour.

Aliium christophii

Allium shubertii

3. Pink

The first rose to open is the strongly scented Gertrude Jekyll. If she wasn’t so thorny she would be perfect.

Astrantia Roma

4. Yellow

The pineapple scented Cytisus battandieri. I do not favour yellow in my garden but I enjoy this for its scent and silver foliage rather than its colour.

5. Black

Less black more deep claret to be honest. One of my favourite shrubs, Sambucus niger.

Just look at those dark leaves.

6. White

Perennial poppies this one is perhaps Perrys white. Shining and clear. Here’s a thing, before the marigolds and Eschscholzia did their thing I was planning a white planting show. Hey ho, there’s always next year.

Wishing you all a great weekend. Enjoy this summer weather. D.

Six on Saturday: favourites

Tags

Allium Purple Sensation, cerinthe, Eschscholzia californium, euphorbia griffithii Dixter, hebe hulkanea, Iris Sibirica, New Zealand lilac, six on saturday

Good morning. I am joining The Propagator with a quick six, favourite sights in my garden.

First is a shrub I purchased from a garden in Winslow. A family were about to complete the sale of their late mothers house. A developer had purchased the property and the place was about to lose its garden to concrete and brick. The family invited Winslow & District gardening society their local garden group, to attend at a certain hour on a given day to dig up plants from the garden for a donation in aid of their chosen charity.

You can imagine the scene as gardeners in anoraks, armed with trowels and garden forks arrived. Hellebores, snowdrops, ferns were the main plants of interest. A polite-ish dig-up began.

Whilst the garden was under siege, I got talking to a lady who turned out to have been the owners longterm carer. She handed me a scraggy shrub in a pot. Take this for your garden, it is something special, I cannot remember what but I always had to pay particular attention to watering it. Inwardly thinking, yuck that looks dreadful, I politely accepted it and made a donation of £5.

I planted it in the ground in about February this year. Clearly delighted to have space to send its roots, it is now flowering happily.

It is New Zealand lilac, Hebe hulkeana or right now, Happy Hebe.

2 .

This is the outlook from my chair where I enjoy my morning coffee. Purple Cerinthe in the foreground with masses of Eschscholzia poppies behind. These are all self sown. Bargain.

3.

These may not have been fashionable at Chelsea this year but I don’t care, I still love Allium purple sensation.

4.

The border in morning light before the sun gets to it. The contrast of green with the dark burnt orange from Euphorbia griffithii Dixter.

5.

I have always admired Iris sibirica for its royal colour and neat form, somehow refined. I planted these last year and am delighted to see they made it.

6. Another view of a different part of the border.

Again before the sun reaches it, this is a pleasing gentle froth of green, pink and white. Persicaria bistorta, Anthriscus sylvestris Ravenswing and Thalictrum Elin.

Wishing you an enjoyable long weekend, wherever you are. D.