Corncockle in a Wildflower Border
I almost missed out on the week of flowers, hosted by Cathy of Words and Herbs, but am scraping in with this froth of wildflowers for day 7.  The pink, raindrop-covered flower is corncockle, which is now vanishingly rare in the wild in Britain but still appears in annual wildflower mixes. Continue reading “Corncockle in a Wildflower Border”
Hydrangea Flowers in October and November
My favourite thing about hydrangeas is the blend of colours on a single flower. So, while fresh flowers have a particular type of loveliness, in some ways hydrangeas improve when Autumn throws a restraining hand on the foliage, adding pink, purple and yellow where there was only green.
Continue reading “Hydrangea Flowers in October and November”
Liatris (Blazing Star)
Liatris is one of many showy American natives that British gardeners have taken to their hearts. Fluffy, rose-pink flowers open from button-like buds that circle a slender tower of narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
Where groups of liatris corms are planted naturalistically, the flower plumes are dramatic, reaching up and out like grounded fireworks. Continue reading “Liatris (Blazing Star)”
Hollyhocks In The Cotswolds
Anyone recommending erigeron and hollyhocks as companion plants would draw a few strange looks because of their disparity in habits, but they do look strangely suited in this pavement garden. Continue reading “Hollyhocks In The Cotswolds”
Flower Power: Gladioli
Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’
Penstemons’ throaty flowers have a lustre that comes from their blend of highlights and lowlights. P. ‘Alice Hindley’ is a popular purple variety that tends to grow taller and bushier than most. Continue reading “Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’”
Susan Rushton 