In a vase on Monday: on a Tuesday

Tags

Alchemilla mollis, Ammi majus, Digitalis purpurea, in a vase on Monday, Nepeta, penstemon garnet, poppy seed heads, rose a shropshire lad, Verbena bonariensis

The day got away from me yesterday and I did not get chance to prepare a vase until last thing. Here it is:

Outside on the table in the summerhouse is my vase full of Alchemilla, Ammi, Nepeta, Digitalis, Penstemon, Rose a Shropshire Lad, a spike of Verbena bonariensis and a couple of poppy seed heads for good measure.

‘Summer house’ sounds a bit la-di-dah. Apologies. It is summer but it’s not a house as it has no windows or doors but it is a shelter and with this weather we are out there all the time.

Cathy is our host for this lovely meme. Take a look at her blog to see some other pretty vases full of flowers. Such a nice thing to look at.

Have a good week wherever you are and 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: 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.

In a Vase on Monday: cottage garden bounty

Tags

Alchemilla mollis, cranesbill, fox and cubs, hardy geraniums, in a vase on Monday, June, Knautia macedonica, lychnis, perennial sweet peas, poppy seed heads, roses, Suffolk

It is always interesting to visit someone else’s garden don’t you think? This garden is delightful, loose, free, the epitome, if you like of a cottage garden. Consequently todays vase is the same.

There is an unknown variety of a pink rose and five different hardy geraniums. They are pink ones, white and purples. There are perennial sweet peas in soft pink and a dark pink lychnis. There is Alchemilla and the wild flower known as fox and cubs.

Dark claret buttons of Knautia Macedonica repeat the strength of colour from the lychnis.

The garden planting scheme was created by designer Laura Arison.

The jug is a complimentary green colour is stamped “Mersey” on the base and most likely will have been one of the owners finds. The colour repeats the poppy seed head colour. Pleasing.

Joining Monday Cathy with this vase.

Have a lovely Monday and thanks for reading. D.

Tuesday view: 27/6/17

Tags

Dryopteris filix-mas, English country garden, perennial sweet pea, poppies, poppy seed heads, succulent planter, Suffolk, summerhouse, Tuesday View

Today I am sharing my Tuesday view but it is not actually mine. Going against the spirit of the meme Cathy hosts, I hope I will be forgiven, this is my view today.

A long narrow garden with brick and pebble paths there is no grass to maintain. Instead the whole garden is packed with plants. There are half a dozen trees, including a couple of mature apples, a beech and an ornamental weeping pear.

There are rambler roses and honeysuckle clambering around. These predate the new planting of white foxgloves, poppies, evening primrose, perennial sweet pea and knautia macedonia. Valerian, fennel, alliums and geraniums to name just a few.

There are lots of grasses including Stipa gigantea, stipa tenuissima and stipa arundica. Through the planting there is a stepping path of sleepers set in the ground to enable easier access for maintenance and for complete immersion through the plants. Low growing thyme and vinca minor have been planted around the timbers. 

It is a delightful sight especially as I do not have to work on it, I can just enjoy its prettiness. Further down the garden there are a number of ramshackle buildings including a summer house, log store, studio and shed. Yes this garden has not one but five buildings. In the first photo you can see the exterior of the brick built studio. This is the approach to the summerhouse.

How sweet is this.

At the top of the garden which is shadier there are ferns and hellebores. I like this combination, perennial sweet pea and fern Dryopteris filix 

I hope you enjoyed this view, I think it’s super. 

Poppy seed heads. 

Another look at the succulent planter. 

In a vase on Monday: seeking shade

Tags

Achillea, Alchemilla mollis, Cosmos, Dahlia mignon.mixed, Dahlias, David Austin Roses, in a vase on Monday, poppy seed heads, Rose The Pilgrim, turquoise milk glass

 

 

All sorts

The heat is building up over the next couple of days and already the dog is flaked out on the cool flagstone floor.

I grabbed a few of the last roses, this one is The Pilgrim from David Austin. A buttery yellow old style rose with a strong rose fragrance I do like it but find that the weight of the blooms cause it to flop over. A chop to shorten the stem ensures the heads are supported by the sides of the glass. To the rose I have added yellow/ lime coloured Alchemilla mollis and Achillea which fades from dark to pale pink. 

In a turquoise glass jug I have put the strong pink coloured Cosmos with more of the Alchemilla mollis and Achillea.  I have also added the seed heads of a few poppies.

More Alchemilla has been added to the small Dahlia mignon.  This overwintered in the cutting bed which I am very pleased about.  Finally I have a few of the tiniest Dahlia which I chose because I do love the look of a daisy.

 

So there you have it folks my vases for Monday.  Do take a look at Cathys lovely blog https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com to see some more Monday vases, certainly more cheerful than world news.