Where has the time gone? I seem to be saying that quite a lot recently. First of all, an apology goes out to all those who may have been eagerly awaiting a follow up to GBBD. I just never managed to find time to squeeze in an extra blog!
Please join me and other garden bloggers who are reviewing their garden this month end. A meme very kindly hosted by
Helen over at
The Patient Gardener. Whether you have a blog to share or are just plain curious or should that read nosy? Head over and see what other garden bloggers have been up to. Everyone is welcome.
Over the last few weeks I've been getting ruthless in the garden and I'm taking no prisoners. If something hasn't been happy - it's gone! If something needs too much attention - it's out of here! I'm fed up with plants that need molly coddling! Much of my planting is now coming into it's 3rd year - it's easy to take stock, see what's thriving and what's not! Those that are just hanging on in their have been given a good talking too - if by summer they haven't shaped up - they will be shipped out! They can't say they have not been warned.
As well as being ruthless in the borders -I've lots of 'things' growing in pots and containers that should and will be perfectly happy in the garden. The majority of which have now found home in the ground. Work has started on a new Japanese Maple and Primula bed. Rocks have been sourced, handy that I have a neighbour who manages a local quarry! The Acers have had a couple of weeks to settle in their new space - there was no issues with planting them out in the garden at this time of the year. An Enkianthus was transplanted over to the sunnier side of the garden - it has failed to flower this past 2 years and I suspect that it was not getting enough sun. It is not advisable to uproot shrubs at this time of the year but great care was taken to ensure I had a large root ball and a strict watering regime will follow for the rest of the summer. I finished planting the Primula and a few other perennials yesterday. All they need do now is grow!
The long sunny border - which really isn't very long and the term 'sunny' comes complete with poetic license if last year is anything to judge by! It is what one might call a summer border, plenty of summer flowering perennials which not only look good but also attractive to bees and other pollinators. Rightly or wrongly, I don't choose many native plants but do aim for a selection which are considered 'beneficial'. I do try to make sure that the pollinators are catered for! It is presently a sea of green with a few dots of colour here and there. Late spring/Early summer colour in this border comes by way of creeping phlox.
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Phlox subulata
Amazing Grace |
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Phlox subulata
Emerald Cushion |
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Phlox subulata
Kimono
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Garden stalwart - Aquilegia are just beginning to flower, the deeper colours of Purple Emperor and Black Barlow alongside a self seeded pink variety.
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Aquilegia at end of May |
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Semiaquilegia Sugar Plum Fairy |
Semiaquilegia Sugar Plum Fairy a smashing little 'mingler' - billed as short lived, I was quite surprised to see these come through winter successfully. Cirsium, Allium and hardy geraniums will take over soon enough!
Still on the sunny side of the garden, one of my garden 'late starters' - not just this year but every year. I will never complain about that fact. To it's benefit - the fact that it buds late means it misses any late frost. Cornus alternifolia Argentea (Pagoda Dogwood) is a favourite shrub in the garden. My specimen is just a baby and it will be many years before it really makes a statement.
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Cornus alternifolia Argentea |
Elsewhere in the sunnier borders Peony buds are fattening, Aconitums are reaching skyward, Astrantia are on the verge of flowering and many more waiting on the side lines. Woodland cranesbill, Geranium sylvaticum Album tucked behind the peonies has just made it for a May time flowering.
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Geranium sylvaticum Album |
Over to the shadier side of the garden -
In the little yellow and white border outside my back door - the cowslips, drumstick primula and Primula vulgaris have now gone over but just before the golden Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebarks) takes over for summer, Doronicum orientale Little Leo is providing food for the tiniest of pollinators and oddly enough untouched by slugs thus far!
The wildlife pond is situated on the shadier side of the garden. Flowering now in the pond is this wildflower, Cardamine Pratensis, commonly known as Cuckoo Flower - tiny little pollinators do enjoy this one! Being that it is a small pond, probably considered more of a puddle than a pond - most plants would be very invasive. Acorus also grows there, a tight reign will be needed.
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Growing in the pond
Cardamine Pratensis |
Hostas, ferns and Astilbe are gearing up as I write - Polygonatum multiflorum, a british native grows at the rear of the pond. Despite being stocked with tadpoles last year - the frogs that emerged have thus far failed to make an appearance. We do have frogs in the area - they are often seen at night and I get quite sad that they haven't shown an interest in my pond. One day they will come or so I keep telling myself!
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Polygonatum multiflorum |
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Ajuga Burgundy Glow |
A couple of Rhododendrons flower - a good few weeks later than they would normally. Other residents on the shadier side - namely Pieris, Leucothoe and Camelllia are all putting on new growth, yet have failed to flower. Interesting that no flowers have been produced - they are all healthy and happy enough. I'd be interested if any of you experienced gardeners had any thoughts on this?
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Rhododendron Red Jack
grows as a standard |
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Unnamed Rhododendron
A nice delicate colour |
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Acer palmatum Orange Dream |
Hydrangeas are still generally leafless twigs and are adding no value to the garden at the moment. I've removed one of the to make room for a little Japanese Acer, a supermarket purchase a couple of years ago. I feel it is now time for it to embrace the big wide world and make it on it's own.
Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' might one day become a lovely sized tree - currently only just over 1 foot tall - my hopes and expectations exceed it present stature!
Let's take a walk down the side path. My side garden is long and really quite narrow - it does not allow for layers of planting, especially where the shrubs grow. The fact that the shrubs are quite young - I can, for now, enjoy a few perennials dotted in the gaps between them. Also in the side border, 2 Camellias failed to flower. I am attempting to train one to a fan shape on the fence. I have not been rewarded with blooms. There's always next year, isn't there?
It's not all doom and gloom down the side path though.

At the top end, nearest the back door - Acer palmatum Crimson Queen. My favourite and oldest Japanese Acer. I've been the keeper of this beautiful little tree for 17 years. Flanked by a couple of young Pieris, Flaming Silver to the left and Forrest Flame to the right.
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A closer look |
Aquilegia spring magic and Dicentra spectabalis bloom in the background, the foliage of Hostas and Japanese Holly Ferns will take over when those are finished.
Epimedium and Heuchera foliage fill the gaps around Dicentra eximia King of Hearts - Hosta Halcyon and Hart's Tongue fern are shoehorned in!
Just out of shot Shuttlecock fern, Polypodium and Dryopteris are unfurling - Cortusa mattholia, a new addition this spring are about to flower and should make their debut in June's Bloom Day.

Magnolia Stellata - as shown in my last
Wordless Wednesday Blog looked as if it was only going to produce a solitary flower. I'm surprised and delighted that it delivered a couple more this week. Try as I might though - I'm just not getting that fragrance!!


Moving swiftly along a pastel pink Rhododendron is beginning to bloom it's heart off. I think the Rhododendrons really benefited from the wet summer last year - they are or have been putting on a great display this year. A couple of self sown Aquilegia are flowering.
I am on a week's annual leave from work, dare I say it that I intend to take it easy this week. I've a few little chores to do in and around the garden - nothing major, she says!! I hope the nice weather continues, it's been so long, I've almost forgotten what it's like to eat al fresco!
I'd like to end my month review with a question.....
I am hoping that amongst you - we have a lily grower or two! Can anyone offer an id of what kind of lillies both these plants are. The top one - I suspect is an asiatic lily (white flower) and the bottom one came as a gift without a label. The foliage on both are quite different and am unsure what conditions they would prefer.
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Flowering Augus 2012 |
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White Lily Foliage |
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Unknown Lily |
Over too you lily growers!
That's about it for now but before I go - I thought I'd share a picture with you. This is Chip - one of my 3 cats. He loves spending sunny afternoons in the shade of the Acer tree. Of all my cats, he is the scardy cat - afraid of everything, even his shadow!
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed! I'm off now to see what you've all been up to!