Celebrating gardens, photography and a creative life
x Alcalthaea suffrutescens, as the name kind of suggests, is a result of crossing Althaea, herbaceous perennials that include Althaea officinalis (the marsh mallow), with Alcea species (hollyhocks).
Now we’ve got that out of the way, we can relax and enjoy the floral fantasy they were creating outside one of the tea rooms at RHS Garden Bridgewater a few weeks ago. Continue reading “Alcalthaea: Crossing Hollyhocks with Other Mallows”
At the Royal Horticulture Society’s Hampton Court Flower Show earlier this year, I had chance to indulge in one of my favourite pastimes – looking out for flowering plants that are companionable minglers.
Floral threads included various colours and forms of Achillea, Campanula, Catanache, Digitalis (foxglove), Echinacea, Geranium, Knautia, Lychnis, Nepeta, Salvia, Scabious, Stachys and Verbena. Continue reading “Cottage Garden Plant Combinations From The Hampton Court Palace Show”
Many of my favourites are cottage garden flowers, at their best when tumbled together. Some I like for their unusual colours, patterns or arrangement of petals… Continue reading “Favourite Flowers – And Why”
Companion plants will bring out the best characteristics of roses – especially shrub roses – and help to make up for any weaknesses. While they’ll mingle around, above or below the roses, they should not compete too aggressively for food, water or space. Continue reading “Great Companion Plants for a Cottage Garden: Roses”
I often walk by this sweet cottage garden and pause to take a picture. I don’t think it is ever prettier than in spring when the bluebells are out in force, mixed with daisy type flowers I’d say were osteospermums were they not so early, and classic wildflowers such as forget-me-nots. Continue reading “Bluebells of Different Colours in a Cottage Garden”
Lathyrus ‘Spencer Mix’ is sweet pea seed blend that includes white and dark flowers, and clear shades of pink, red, lilac and purple.
Sweet peas are sun lovers, but like their roots in cool, moist soil. They are usually grown for cutting: the more assiduously you pick the flowers, the more the plants will produce. Continue reading “Lathyrus odoratus ‘Spencer Mix’”
Susan Rushton 