Celebrating gardens, photography and a creative life
A floral fantasy at Trentham Gardens with Japanese anemones in the foreground and the last few lingering blooms on hollyhocks spires waving in the background. The yellow plant spilling out of the tall obelisk is verbascum. Continue reading “Two Japanese Anemones”
When I’m out walking, I sometimes amuse myself by looking for four-leaf clovers. Ever since childhood, I have followed the custom of nominating a person or a reason before searching, so when I find the clover, I already know what it is for.
My eye enjoys patterns so will skim over the patches and highlight an anomaly that looks a bit four-leafy for further inspection. I just have to pause, retrace a step or two, and be willing to appear goofy to any fellow walkers. Nothing new there then. Often, as I tease the leaves apart, I discover that the spurious leaflet belongs to a neighbouring stalk, but once in a while it’s a four-leaf one. Continue reading “Four-Leaf Clovers To Share”
Rudbeckia ‘Giggling’ (looking sunny against a drift of white Gaura) is richly coloured, fast growing and short. I noticed that Walter Blom Plants have listed it as one of their Temperennials, a coinage, in their words, ‘to warn you that they cannot be left cold and wet through the winter’. Continue reading “Rudbeckia ‘Giggling’”
Lilium Marlon has huge, wonderfully scented, upward-facing flowers, held on sturdy stems. Each petal has a wavy edge, traced out in white, and a smattering of freckles. Continue reading “Lilium ‘Marlon’, a Pink Oriental Lily”
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’”
To continue this week’s rose theme, three perspectives of Rose ‘Strawberry Hill’, taken at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show several years ago.
Forcing roses for a show often changes their character: flower size, colour and even form can show subtle or major differences from their typical appearance in the garden and you can see that here if you’re familiar with the rose. Continue reading “Rosa ‘Strawberry Hill’”
