There are such a variety of plants with leaves that I find so attractive. In a small garden where I try and indulge and accommodate these, plants that either go dormant at different times of the year, or can grow to hide plants that are going into dormancy is a canny way of getting more in a small space, and at the same time having a reasonably attractive garden to look at.
I have always enjoyed hardy geraniums. They are left alone by slugs and snails, and are fairly tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It is saying something that some of them have needed a little water, since we have had hardly any rains for many weeks. Even the forecast overnight rain did not come. As a quick aside...Rose Chaffer beetles have been flying around...
(1) This is Geranium Blue Sunrise. This Hardy Geranium has been very slow to put on any bulk since it was first planted on our arrival. It disappears completely during the winter leaving the tell tale label which reminds me to to plant some minute bulbs right above it. I resisted digging it up this spring and trying to divide it. All well and good, since I have heard on good authority that it is difficult...but I shall pretend that I haven't heard that and still try towards the autumn.
(2) Geranium x cantabrigiense Cambridge, another hardy geranium, is just coming into flower. Its leaves have a nice gloss about them, and keeping small and green all the year round, are a lovely foil for the early crocus, which have now died down.
(3) Another garden favourite is Phuopsis stylosa, bought in 2014. I love its intricate green foliage topped by an inflorescence that almost needs a magnifying glass to appreciate its intricacy. This is pretty drought tolerant..ie it has not yet needed to be watered. What I like about this plant, is that it can have a good chop back and come back for a second performance later in the season.
(4) In my last garden I had a lovely generous clump of Iris Sibrica. I was missing it, and acquired a good sized pot of of Iris Sibrica Silver Edge in 2018. Although the plant looked flowering size when bought, in its second season in the garden last year, it sulked. What a joy...it is flowering, maybe the wet winter did it good. A good weekly hosing for about six weeks has paid off dividends. As one bloom fades another one opens on the same stem.
(5) Another little plant nurtured over the last year or so from near obliteration has been one of my little sedums. Hylotelephium 'Bertram Anderson' is reveling in the strong sunshine.
(6) Last year after trimming back Pelargonium coriandrifolium, I took a few cuttings. I have just one left here and it is doing very nicely.
It is that time of year again for the mother plant to be cut back. I have taken quite a few more cuttings this year, as I hope to swap them for other types, with fellow enthusiasts.
My Phuopsis stylosa started to take over a bit in my small garden last year so I reduced it quite a bit. I thought I'd left some but I think I might have been a little too ruthless as there's no sign of it this year! It's very pretty. That iris is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHope it comes back, or maybe you were really wishing it would disappear, to make room for something else. I cut it back ruthlessly but have two other small areas just as in insurance.
DeleteThat is an interesting looking pelargonium! Has it scented leaves? Lovely geraniums, always a favourite. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a species, with no particular smell of coriander. I too thought that it might of smelt of coriander, which I do like. I've just been down for an extra sniff...just a fresh 'green' smell, and not at all like a Pelargonium.
DeleteAny tips on getting Phuopsis to flower. I acquired it on a garden visit with a warning it could become invasive, but it hasn't done anything over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteIt does grow well, and expands...but it is easy to keep in check, when you cut it back after flowering. Since it flowers well, and I have not had to change anything, I would say, keep it mean, don't water unless it wilts, cut back, and wait for it to flower, and oh yes, full sun. Good luck!
DeleteNice Phuopsis that I didn't know! How long have you been growing it and does it spread too much since??
ReplyDeleteI first acquired this in 2014, and had it in my last garden. I brought a piece here. Of course like any herbaceous plant it can expand and trail. It is well behaved for me, in the dry soil, in direct sun but which has shade for part of the day. The stems can root into the soil, but they are easy enough to lift. For me it has never been a problem, but an asset whether in flower or not. Its one of those plants which gave me a 'love at first sight' moment when I first saw it in The Courts National Trust Garden.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought of Phuopsis as a plant for hot and dry. I shall keep an eye out for one, I have a spot for it. Not come across that Pelargonium either, no point looking out for that, it's got specialist nursery writ all over it, and I think I know the one.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know if the Pelargoniums take. The one year old plant is destined for a collector in exchange for a rather choice species.
DeleteI’ve never seen Phuopsis before, but if it’s drought tolerant it’s certainly one for my garden. I love irises, and your Silver Edge is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane, the Phuopsis has not had a single watering despite the fact that we still have had no rain. Of course it needs watering to get it established a few times, but after that it is fine.
DeleteThat g. Cambridge sounds like a good idea to keep the garden a little less forlorn looking over winter. Your iris is beautifully BLUE! Glad it decided to play ball this year.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Lora, winter interest in a small garden is clear advantage. I could just look into those lovely irises...like deep blue silk. I am already planning a spot where they would go well for when the time comes to split it. Sadly the garden cannot be expanded to accommodate everything, so I shall have to decided what to remove.
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