GARDENER'S WORD - IDEAS AND TIPS

Geums have always been so reliable in my gardens but a while ago one died, as all plants do eventually, and this year I have bought two that I have never grown before.  One is Geum Mai Tai which came as a bare root plant and right now is in a pot with little top growth.  The other is Geum Pink Petticoats, below, which I bought at a large garden centre.  I think it is something rather special.   Geum Pink Petticoats Sorry about the quality of the above image, try as I might I cannot get the flower in perfect focus.  The breeze isn't helping! Interestingly, when I look at pictures online this flower appears to be all kinds of pinks but my Geum Pink Petticoats is as my photo, rather a salmony kinda pink.  Geum 'Pink Petticoats' which flowers all spring and summer, seems to be unfussy, tolerating any soil conditions, any aspect but north, sun or partial shade, and grows to a height and spread of up to 0.5 metres (20in). More importantly, it has the RHS Awa...

What a sweet little spring flower. I have grown Anemone blanda (also known as the Winter Windflower) in a small tub and it is flowering beautifully. I've never grown them before. It's always good to try new things in gardening and that is part of the pleasure of it. Some you win and some you lose.  Anemone Blanda According to the RHS , Anemone blanda is not fussy about soil conditions but should be well-drained, it tolerates full sun or partial shade (mine are in full sun), exposed or sheltered positions, any aspect but north, and is fully hardy (H6) down to -20C.  It achieves a height and spread of up to 0.5 metres (about 20in).  It flowers in spring and, being herbaceous, loses its foliage in winter. 

Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' is commonly, and much more easily remembered as, 'Thift'.   Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' The  RHS states that Armeria pseudarmeria needs a sheltered position as well as being suitable for coastal areas. I take it that Armeria pseudarmeria cannot tolerate strong winds and it is Armeria maritima  (RHS) that is a little toughie. 'Sweet Dreams' flowers during spring and summer, enjoys full sun, is hardy down to -15c, any aspect except north-facing. It seems less fussy when it comes to soil type, and likes moist well-drained soil. I think. 

Oh wow, I nearly overlooked posting about this fabulous narcissus called Jetfire. It has  wonderfully rich yellow petals and an orange trumpet. This year is the first time I have grown them. I stuck them all in a single pot, and it has worked out very well, I think.    Narcissus 'Jetfire' Narcissus 'Jetfire' I'm looking forward to Jetfire reappearing year after year.  Talking about reappearing, some years ago I planted a few bulbs into the garden borders after they had flowered in pots, and they never really seemed to make an impact but this year, this year they are really starting to showing off here and there!  Narcissus 'Geranium' 2019 It is highly fragrant and multi-headed. Narcissus 'Geranium' This Narcissus below is Ice Follies, new to my garden this year.  Narcissus 'Ice Follies' Not everything is a success as any gardener, professional or amateur, will tell you. Several varieties of Narcissi seem to have disappeared and I may buy mor...

I felt sure I had grown one of these before in my present garden, which I have had since 2009 since it was nothing but grass, but if I had I certainly didn't give it a mention on my blog.  Anyway, here is a mention now.  I think every gardener must be familiar with this particular plant which is, as the RHS says is attractive to pollinators. I am catering as much as I can for pollinators to visit my garden, that means in particular bees, hoverflies, and butterflies.  It flowers through summer and autumn.  Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' The label shows this plant leaning more towards a lavender colour but the flowers on the plant I just bought are as shown above. Even the labels says that "Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' is a perennial with masses of intense 'lavender-blue', rounded flower heads above neat clumps of finely cut, grey-green foliage. It has a height and spread of 20cm (8in) x 25cm (10in) and should be planted in full sun or partial shade with well-dra...

I had a particular polemonium (aka Jacob's Ladder)  'Northern Lights'    growing at the front of my south-facing border for many years but this year it disappeared underground for winter and never came back.  Plants will do that.  So I bought another and this one is Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple'. Not only does it have a lovely flower - look at those orange anthers - but the leaves are interesting too.   Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple' It forms a neat clump and I found my previous one easy to care for: just chop the dead flower heads off, and don't let it die in a drought. I occasionally water my garden using a Miracle-Grow Feeder containing either Miracle-Gro All Purpose plant food (nitrogen for leaves) or Phostrogen (for flowers).   The label says "Stunning dark leaves all season long on vertical stems, topped with rich blue flowers in early summer.  Wonderful foliage contrast in any mixed border. Hardy and perennial, height 60cm, spr...

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant', also known as the summer snowflake, is quite striking. I grew them for the first time this year and they achieved a height of about 30cm at most. Information from the RHS states they can grow as much as 90cm.  They are like big snowdrops with little yellow/green dots at the tips of the petals. I have grown them in a container of multi-purpose compost with John Innes, in a fairly sunny spot, west facing where it gets the sun most of the day. The RHS states they are very hardy, (H7), right down to a low of -20c, and prefer moist but well drained conditions, any aspect, and any type of soil.   Leucojum aestivum Gravetye Giant Leucojum aestivum Gravetye Giant This is the link to the RHS growing details if you are thinking of growing some and want more information.