Six on Saturday: 26 September 2020

26 Saturday Sep 2020

Posted by digwithdorris in six on saturday

Tags

Coreopsis verticillata moonbeam, Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum, Erigeron karvinskianus, Miscanthus sinensis, persicaria affinis, six on saturday, Zinnia Queeny Lime Red

The six I have chosen today are from my favourites this morning. A cool day here, autumnal temperatures and breezy.

A petite, gentle yellow, flower that appears in a profusion of late season flowers at a time when I have forgotten all about her. She has just started to open amongst the grasses.

Another daisy type that is performing well at this time of the year is Fleabane, Erigeron Karvinskianus. A joyful kind of flower but very promiscuous popping up everywhere. Easy going, shallow rooted so easy to remove although I cannot imagine why you would ever want to.

Ground cover for poor ground is this dwarf Persicaria affinis. There is nothing small about it other than its height as it spreads itself and carpets an area very effectively. These flower from spring through to the frosts with lovely little candy tufts of pale pinks through to red.

Another attractive ground covering plant this is suited to part shade : Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum is looking fresh for this time of year . Such a lovely leaf shape and markings.

The grasses are looking great and glamorous at this time of year. Clumps of Miscanthus are bulking up and swishing in the wind.

Last and by no means least is Zinnia Queeny Lime Red. To be frank she’s not Lime nor is she a Queen but still quite nice. Grown from Thompson &Morgan seed.

That’s it, my six to share with our host The Propagator and you of course.

Have a good weekend wherever you are and thanks for reading. D.

Six on Saturday: 23/5/20

23 Saturday May 2020

Posted by digwithdorris in six on saturday, Uncategorized

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Allium siculum, bearded iris, David Austin Roses, Erigeron karvinskianus, Hosta Big Daddy, Hosta Sum and Substance, Iris Midnight Caller, Mexican fleabane, Nectarscordium siculum, Rose 'Gertrude Jekyll', Sicilian honey garlic, six on saturday, weather, woottensplants.com

The weather. May is proving to be a tough month weather wise. Nighttime frosts followed by hot dry summer days and now winds of 19mph. The consequences can be seen all over: new foliage which was burned by the frost has now dried and died back. Damage is on most things from the tips of the Ash trees to shrubs, roses and iris. I have started watering as if it is mid July and this morning I have dragged hostas into the garage to give them shelter from the battering wind.

I especially hate the wind. My garden is very exposed as there really is not much more than open fields between it and the Chilterns. Consequently when it blows it really is damaging. My six today starts with my two hostas now cowering in the garage.

These dinner plate sized leaves do not take kindly to 19mph wind. I can see some of the leaves have been bent and this will spoil their handsome form.

Now parked under cover Big Daddy is also suffering. The edge of some of it leaves are browning from the wind and from the earlier cold snap.

Not troubled by the heat the cold or the wind is Fleabane. Erigeron Karvinskianus has self sown around the drive, it is everywhere. I do love a daisy so it generally is allowed to stay.

My roses were subjected to standing in water for almost three months this winter into spring. I feared I may have lost them, especially those in the blue clay borders. Phew they have just started flowering. This is the opening Gertrude Jekyll rose. Rich pink with the most heavenly rose scent. It is mega prickly and that is her main failing. No issue with pest or disease a David Austin gem.

I love to see Alliums after the Tulips and thankfully they do well in my garden. My favourite is perhaps this one for its hanging lantern flowers which the bees literally disappear into. Allium siculum.

Nectarscordium siculum
Sicilian honey garlic

At the garden where I work the soil is thin over chalk. Free draining, the contrast to my own garden couldn’t be more different. Here I can grow bearded iris as they must have full sun and sharp drainage. The Iris are looking fabulous this year thanks to a great deal of splitting and dividing last year. The pale ones look extra special thanks to the addition of the near black Iris Midnight Caller from Woottens nursery, a specialism of theirs.

These are my six for this week. Joining our host The Propagator and bloggers from all over.

Have a great long weekend, stay home, stay safe and thanks for reading. D.

Six on Saturday: our hottest day so far

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by digwithdorris in six on saturday

≈ 15 Comments

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.

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.

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?

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: 15/9/18

15 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by digwithdorris in six on saturday

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Coreopsis moonbeam, Erigeron karvinskianus, pelargonium tomentosum, persicaria affinis, six on saturday, Succulents, Verbena bonariensis

Hello. Joining The Propagator with a quick six from my garden this morning.

Verbena bonariensis tall, willowy and beautiful, a firm favourite with most people. Against a blue sky, what is not to like.

Just a green leaf?

This is a fabulous leaf, soft and furry to touch, think puppy soft, and such a magnificent scent, strong, powerful like those extra strong mints. This is Pelargonium Tomentosum. ( Not grown for its flowers which are very insignificant but white).

You know I love daisies, this is Erigeron, it’s everywhere.

Ground cover, Persicaria affinis gets into its own at this time of year. I enjoy seeing the flowers in various states of open.

The best yellow? Certainly gentle and rather charming this is Coreopsis Moonbeam.

Succulents are always fascinating and my collection is quite old but some years they do better than others. Whilst this years long, hot Summer was fabulous for them the long, dark, cold and wet Winter really harmed them. Even under glass they hated the dark and they came out this Spring looking withered and shrunken. Those that survived are looking much happier now.