Tragopodon crocifolius (Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon)Every so often there are unexpected delights in the garden and this week seems to have delivered more than its fair share. I have grown Tragopodon crocifolius for years, well I have I have grown it, what I actually mean is that I grew it from seed probably around 8 years ago and it has seeded it self around the garden. It is a hardy annual and I suspect I got the original seeds from Special Plants. It sends up a tall stem with these wonderful lilac flowers which then turn to big Dandelion type puff ball seedheads – hence the self seeding around the garden. Its common name is Jack-go-bed-at-noon because the flowers open in the morning and then close at noon. To be honest I had forgotten about this plant until I noticed a number of them flowering in the front garden – a nice surprise.
Tulip sprengeri
But much as I love Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon the real thrill this weekend are the Tulip sprengeri flowers. I have been trying to establish this plant in the garden for a few years. I have tried sowing seeds in pots, in borders but no luck. Last year I bought a pot of seedlings, which I promptly forgot about as is my habit, but when I built the raised wall around the top border I rounded up a number of small pots of plants from the patio and planted them out and lo and behold one of them was the tulip sprengeri and this time they have flowered. I am really hoping that they will start to seed them and I will end up with a clump like I have seen elsewhere.
Dutch Iris ‘Miss Saigon’ was a new addition this spring. I planted about 20 bulbs in the garden and they are simply gorgeous, such a special irridescent color.
Another of my Dutch Iris, this was an early acquisition so there are only one or two in the garden but the white is so pure.
Peonies – have been a challenge for me for years. I have planted many over the years but I obviously plant them too deeply as until this year I have never had many flowers. But things have changed – this year the plant above has some 5 blooms on it and I have another one just the same. Then this evening, while watering I spotted that some of the other peonies, of a different type going by the leaves, have buds too so things are looking up.
I posted the other week a photo of Iris Langport Wren which has multipled itself over the years and this year felt as though it was the only bearded iris left in the garden. I love bearded irises and like the peonies have bought many over the years but they seem to have disappeared. I decided the other day that I needed to rectify the situation and try to add some more varieties. I thought I would get some at the HPS meeting today but not an iris to be seen, nor at the garden center on the way home; seems they aren’t in fashion. But, when I got home I spotted that diminutive Iris Bumblebee Delight starting to flower – so thats two bearded irises but I do need more.
Those are my delights for this week for more Six on Saturday posts check out My Propogator’s blog.
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