This is probably my favorite - a rose which I believe is called "Raspberry Ripple". If not, it should be!
Everyone knows the Lupin:
This is a Foxglove. A very unusual one too, both in terms of its color and its (fluffy) texture.
This is a Peony:
Not sure about this one. Is it a Canterbury Bell (Campanula)?
And I have no idea what this is!
I recognize this one though - a delicate little Hardy Geranium.
I love this dark coloured Clematis. It's almost black.
This is an Astrantia.
We all know the Poppy too. There were poppies of many different colours to be seen, but I think this was the most striking.
Here's another Geranium, complete with bee.
And a steely-blue Eryngium.
This photo is of the butterfly (a Small Tortoiseshell), camouflaged against the background of Wallflowers and Roses.
Here's another beautiful Foxglove.
There was an area full of these little Turks Cap Lilies (Lilium Martagon), growing in profusion amongst the long grass.
Not just pink ones, either...
Irises there were in abundance too...
At the margins of some of the ponds there were patches of these moisture-loving Yellow Flags (Iris Pseudacorus).
There are several areas of the garden laid out as bog-gardens, though with the prolonged dry weather we have been experiencing they were not very boggy! This enormous Hosta didn't seem to mind too much.
I inspected the Philadelphus very closely, and was gratified to see that it's not just mine that is swarming with tiny black Pollen Beetles! This double-flowered cultivar is very nice.
This is something that most people would treat as a weed - Herb Robert, looking spectacular at present in its fiery red livery.
Despite the above, the over-riding impression of the garden this time was one of Roses. Hundreds of Roses, in every shape, size and color imaginable!
And finally: this one is now officially on my Wishlist. A red Japanese Maple / Acer, which will of course require a suitably impressive pot as well...
If you live within striking distance of West Green House, I strongly recommend a visit. There is so much too see!
