May is the month for Aquilegia in my garden. They are amongst my favorite perennials and every year a few more varieties appear. I know some say that they revert back to muddy pink ones but I don’t find this so. In fact I don’t think this makes sense since it is unlikely that a plant’s flowers will revert and I think they are actually getting lots of seedlings from plants cross breeding or reverting back to the more native variety.
At the moment it is mainly the more granny bonnet style aquilegias that are flowering. I have some others which have the longer spurs which are my absolute favorites
Aquilegia canadensis
My absolute favourite one is Aquilegia canadensis – the colour is so vibrant and is really standing out against all the white, pinks and purples at the moment. I have to admit I do like orange and purple in the garden – I seem to have a similar combination in the front garden.
I’m not sure what geranium this is. I grew it from seed from a seed exchange last year but when images on the internet don’t match the plant so I think the seed was mislabeled. The leaves are very large and the flowers are significantly larger than my other geraniums. I wonder if it is Geranium palmatum.
Dicentra Valentine
I am also very fond of this Dicentra Valentine which was a purchase from last year’s Malvern Spring Show. I like the strong flower colour alongside the dark stems.
Maianthemum racemosum
In the Woodland Border the colours are more subtle with the fluffy Maianthemum racemosum which is just beginning to go over but has been spectacular over the last few weeks.
Polygonatum commutatum
The Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum commutatum) is such an elegant plant but last year I lost it all to the evil Solomon Seal sawfly so we shall see what happens this year. Luckily last year’s attack doesn’t seem to have weakened the plants which are actually looking larger and lusher than last year.
Lunaria annua ‘Alba Variegata’
Finally the white variegated honesty. The variegation on the foliage this year is so strong this year that the flowers are almost lost but I do love this plant and I am reminded I need to sow some more for next year.
For other Garden Bloggers Bloom Day posts visit Carol at May Dream Gardens
