On the garden shelf it is the turn for a week or two for the Primula auriculas to strut their stuff. I used to have a few and last year restarted acquiring a few to add to
my remaining Auricula Nessun Dorma
1. Welcome to my small garden is Primula auricula 'Old Irish Scented'. Although a 'garden auricula' I have chosen to keep it as a pot plant. The petals are described as having golden frilly edges and it has a 'white eye'. This is one of the plants from a batch I ordered last year from
Hillview Hardy Plants.
2. Another new yellow is a double. This is my first double and is a pretty frilly yellow bloomer. However I think for now I much prefer the single auriculas. This one is Primula auricula Sarah Millington.
3. Wednesday's talk at our Henton Gardening Club was given by Charles Chesshire on designing with Peonies and Roses. I must really go through my notes and look up some of the plants he mentioned. However I did pick up a tip, which I put into action the very next day, when I moved an Echinacea purpurea Magnus which I had placed such that although the flowers would be in full sun, but the rosette of leaves was not. I said 'sorry' to the plant, and as it survived the wet winter, I hope it will be far happier in its new sunny position.
At the meeting we were also able to choose a free plug plant to grow on for a little competition later in the year. I passed on the petunia and the fuchsia and choose a Geranium 'New Century Salmon'. At the end of the evening it seemed as if this had not been a popular selection, so I nonchalantly offered to take the rest should they not be chosen. I offered to buy the remainder. Yesterday our Treasurer Caroline turned up with a further 12 plants. I shall probably offer several to friends in our WI 'Bloomin Fun' group to grow on.
4. With it so nice early in the morning, I managed to catch the early slanting light on the fern.
with all the damp weather my old pots with ferns are just about under maximum moss!
5. We have had more frost warnings over the last few days compared to winter, so it was out with the fleece to cover the strawberries.
6. The newly planted little alpine
Aethionema 'Warley Rose' is settling in well. I rather like its 'common' name of Persian stone cress.
The gravel is a great foil and I am already wondering how best to propagate this so that it can be added to a pot for the shelf next spring. I reckon a good pot of these would look lovely on the garden table this time of the year. It is described as short-lived by the RHS so cuttings will definitely be taken.
I have plenty to do in the garden this weekend, and the weather is set fine.......
Lots of new plant additions. I'm intrigued by Primula auricula 'Old Irish Scented' - is it scented? Unfurling fern fronds are always a pleasing sight. I've just realised reading this that I've left the emerging Dahlias on the patio, not thinking about frosts. I'd better keen an eye on the forecasts and get some fleece ready just in case.
ReplyDeleteI can detect a slight scent, but not even sensing violets, which my friends say are lovely, I am not the best judge.
DeleteSuch pretty and unusual Primula.
ReplyDeleteThese types of auriculas used to be the rage during earlier times. They make quite a nice subject to keep me occupied as they need repotting each year, and various types of regimes.
DeleteLove your auriculas, especially the Old Irish. You are going to have a fine pelargonium display, looking forward to seeing it! Have a good week, Sis x
ReplyDeleteThanks Gill, you should see some of the others, but I am keeping those for another week. It has got so hot with the sun, that I am having to move them to the shade this afternoon. Enjoy your week too,x
DeleteAuriculas are really very pretty plants and not easy to find in garden centres. I do like varieties with dark centers and light on the edges. (and I also prefer the simple ones).
ReplyDeleteNice pot with mosses in it: Was it already pierced?
Don't you have a frost warning next night and/or Monday evening? here yes, still a risk until Wednesday.
You are right Fred, auriculas are specialist plants and you have to seek them out direct, thank goodness for mail order! If you have some I hope you will show them, dark centres and farine on the edges sounds lovely. I'll write more about the pots on my post next week specially for you. The fleece is over the flowers each night just in case.
DeleteYour auriculas are very pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in any of our garden centres - or perhaps I just haven’t been looking. I love the photo of your fern fronds unfurling. You’ve captured the little scene perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine, they seem to be grown by specialists and sold directly. Sometimes one can find them at Rare Plant Fairs, or at specialist shows, which are worth checking out for.
DeleteOh your strawberries are much further on than mine Noelle! Not a single flower in sight here yet. I prefer the second auricula of the two although like you generally prefer the singles. Have you grown any auriculas from seed?
ReplyDeleteThis area and certainly further along towards Cheddar is reknown for strawberries, No I have never grown them from seed, I just treat myself occasionally from specialist growers.
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