There is lots of color in the garden at the moment but I realised when I went out in a brief break from the rain that all the flowers contributing to the color are quite dainty and small and it is the overall floriferousness of the plant that is really delivering the punch. The Astrantia (above) is a case in point as are the many Geraniums I have scattered around the garden.
Above is Geranium pratense ‘Splish Splash’ which I love and it seems rather apt given the endless rain we have had over recent weeks. I discovered this evening that I have two of these plants. My weakness for growing things from seed means that I keep acquiring packets of mixed geranium seeds just to see what I get. It is interesting to see the seedlings develop, some produce big leaves, some have longer stems and then you wait to see what color the flowers are.
This is the first rose to flower in the garden. I can’t for the life of me remember its name, I have trawled back through posts and not found it anywhere so it will remain anonymous for now. This poor plant is flowering despite me since it was moved last Autumn and the Autumn before I have promised it that it will stay put for a few years.
The wind and rain haven’t done too much damage although I have had to stake some of the foxgloves but the Thalictrum flavum above has developed a rather twisty stem despite me trying to rescue it with late staking. Saying that I do like that it hangs over the path as the intention is that the path will be a journey though big and exuberant planting.
Sadly the flowers that have really suffered with the weather are the Aquilegia which have been quite battered. Some I have staked but lots seem to have hidden themselves away amongst the surrounding lupins, peonies and other herbaceous. The peonies have flowered, been bedraggled and faded, some of the Delphinium have been snapped of at the stem, the rest seem to be waiting for the sun to come out before they open.
Another first flower are the Phlomis russeliana – it has taken at least three years for them to flower from the seed being sown.
To see what is flowering in other gardens around the world visit Carol’s blog May Dreams