Summer is here

Thank heavens for summer. The recent warm weather has encouraged many flowers to bloom. It has been a slow start to summer but at last it is here.

The roses are blooming. The peonies have been magnificent and after a rather hesitant beginning the sweet peas are a riot of colour and scent. The stars of every border though are lupins.

Good year for clematis

It has been a good year for clematis. Avante Guarde has been a real hit. Deep crimson red with a pale pink/white centre. It is really striking. It provides a wonderful contrast to the lilac Crystal Fountain. Another stunning clematis is Josephine. It has double pink flowers which will bloom from now until well into September.

Butterfly magnets

Astrantias also looking good. Florence with its unusual lavender pink flowers is a real butterfly magnet. Red Admirals seem to particularly love it.

Endless lockdown

It was very disappointing when lockdown wasn’t lifted last month. Although many things are back to normal choirs are still now allowed to sing with more than six people. I really miss singing with others. It lifts the soul.

I would like to know why football fans can sing lustily at Euro 2020 matches but ten people can’t sing together even if they are socially distancing in a cavernous hall.

Keep weeding

I am trying to keep on top of the weeds, but it is hard. The alternating warm weather and heavy showers has really encouraged them. I’ve tried hoeing but whenever there’s the smallest amount of rain they grow back. Mulching works for most weeds. But some seem to thrive on it and grow back bigger and stronger.

Without doubt the most effective strategy is little and often. I try to spend time every day pulling weeds out while they are still small. I still wonder why weeds thrive but carefully cultivated flower and vegetable plants need to be nurtured.

Flower festival

This weekend I have foolishly agreed to decorate a church window as part of a flower festival. We’ve all been given a painting to use as inspiration. Mine is mainly dark blue with touches of cream and yellow.  I have just the flowers for it – lupins.

For the blues I will use King Canute, Melody and Persian Slipper. Desert Sun will give my display the touch of yellow it needs. And Cashmere Cream will make up the rest. Now I just need to dust off my flower arranging skills. Wish me luck.

Gardening tips

Plant out annuals and summer bedding. Feed tubs and hanging baskets regularly. Stake tall plants to prevent wind damage. Start sowing seeds for next year’s flowers.

#scent #summer#lockdown #weeds#plants#clematis#flowers#singing

What a strange month

This has been a strange month. Covid continues to make it very odd for everyone. We have finally been allowed to go to the pub for a meal. I can hug my nearest and dearest although the Government says it was never illegal, just not advised. And I can book a holiday to the Falkland Islands. Anyone want to join me?

Difficult to adjust

I don’t know about you but I am finding it difficult to adjust to the lifting of restrictions. The pub seems alien with all the staff wearing masks. Who needs to wear one with the former promise of freedom with vaccinations? And, church without singing is just not right. No chance of choir starting anytime soon with ridiculous, complex rules.

Even though holidays are opening up I shall give overseas destinations a miss. The horror stories from people queuing to get back in have put me right off. Besides I live in Devon. It is a holiday destination. I have everything I need within a few miles.

Weather needs to behave

Now we just need the weather to behave. May has been very wet and cold. Many of the plants I would expect to be out are still stubbornly in bud. The peonies are at least four weeks behind schedule.

Slugs are threatening the dahlias

The dahlias are putting in an appearance but if they don’t get a move on the voracious slugs will eat every shoot. The first shoots of the creamy Café au Lait are showing but they need some sun to give them a boost. I’m hoping to have some warmer and drier weather soon.

Something to smile about

The hemerocallis or day lilies are reluctant to show their faces. However, once they start to grow they will be worth the wait. Frans Hals has gorgeous apricot yellow and red flowers which will cheer you up however miserable the weather. Big Smile will do what it says with its lovely maroon throated petals.

Lupins give colour

Lupins give colour to every garden. Desert Sun is a rich, custard-yellow. Salmon Star is a coppery orange. Masterpiece is a rich purple with orange flecks. Persian Slipper is a dainty lagoon blue with a white speck. And Rachel de Thame is a luscious pink. Lupins really do come in every colour.

Gardening tips – Cut back the foliage of daffodils, tulips and other flowering bulbs if it has completely died down.  Plant summer bedding and geraniums for colourful displays through to autumn.  You can still plant lupins too!

#colour #lupins #geraniums #hemerocallis #dahlia #plants

What a difference a year makes

I don’t think anyone could have predicted what has happened over the last 12 months. Back in March 2020 Coronavirus was just starting to be talked about. No-one could have known the devastation it would bring.

Back then lockdown, furlough, bubbles, the rule of six meant nothing. But look at us now. I haven’t played tennis for months. My hair is beginning to resemble Michael Sheen’s in Staged. And, I am badly in need of a holiday.

Thank goodness for gardens

Thank goodness for gardens. I don’t know about anyone else but mine has helped keep me sane in these crazy times.

I am too cautious to believe we are out of the woods yet. Which means I am busy planning my summer planting. I want to see flowers from now until at least October. They will be the only thing I can rely on.

Epimediums are amongst the first to flower

Amongst the first to flower are the epimediums.When they appear it is a sign that spring is here.

If you are after a strong smell plant phlox. White Perfume has a heavenly scent. May Breeze is also very fragrant and a very pretty light blue.

All gardens need lupins

No garden is complete without lupins. You can choose a pastel and understated one like the pale blue Persian Slipper or go for bold and vibrant. If you like red, Beefeater can’t be beaten. If one colour is not enough plant the two-tone Manhattan Lights.

Fabulous spring bulbs

The spring bulbs have been fabulous this year

Hopefully we will be able to visit each other’s gardens before too long. One of the worst aspects of this situation has been the loss of so much social activity. I enjoy popping round to a neighbour for a coffee or a cheeky glass of wine.

No Chelsea flower show for us

Sadly, we will not be exhibiting at Chelsea this year. We understand the RHS’s reasons for moving it to September, but our lupins can’t be that flexible. They are perfect in May and early summer but past their best by September.

The Malvern spring show has also been cancelled. I will miss meeting customers and talking to them about our lupins.

On the bright side I have more time to think about our displays in 2022. Onwards and upwards.

Gardening tips  

Watch out for tips of new plants emerging when you are weeding. It would be a shame to pull them out. If you didn’t clean your greenhouse last autumn, do it now ready for this year’s planting. Start watering plants which have been dormant in the greenhouse over winter, to stimulate new growth.  Try to avoid walking on saturated lawns. #gardens #bulbs #spring #cyclamen #lupins #narcissus #summer #flowers #epimedium #phlox #chelsea