The end of February has still some lovely crocuses and the sunshine has been bringing out 'giant' bumblebees. Watching them delve down into the crocus cups is both a delight tinged with a little suspense as I wonder whether the crocus bloom will right itself.
1. I am very fond of the colour purple...
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| Crocus tommasianus Ruby Giant |
2.
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| Crocus Shockwave |
4. Verbascum phoeniceum violetta has been growing in its original position for over six years, and each year I've thought that it ought to be moved. It was too far inboard for me to enjoy the lovely form of the flower spikes. I could see there were various good growing sections with roots and they were seperated to give five plants. Hope they survive this and flower this year.
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| Verbascum phoeniceum violetta |
5. It was only when I noticed how large the clump of Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Purple Dome' was encroaching on surrounding plants that I decided it was time to do something about this and hence the 'shuffling' in the garden. With the soil a little improved its space was baken by the Verbascum.
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| Divisions ready to be relocated in the garden or given away |
Shuffling was a term my SOS Sis used this week when we were 'chatting' on messenger. It brought a smile to my face, and some encouragement to get out in the garden and do some more gardening. Last autumn I treated myself to a set of three useful plyable handled shallow buckets from a farm shop, I like the pop of colour and I can easily find them compared to the large black one I had. The large black one went to a friend to use in her large garden!
6. For Gill who is not all that keen on Pulmonarias, this is a lovely one for the garden: Pulmonaria Sissinghurst White. The bees certainly love it. This is just the first flush of blooms, when trimmed down they will spring back. I'm going to try to show each flush just to guage it garden worthiness this year.
Bonus picture............seedheads of the Miscanthus nepalensis, which I trimmed down this week. If any SOSers fancy trying to grow this, contact me and I shall put some in the post for you. Use facebook with my name and send me a message with your name and address. I placed a couple of strands on the soil a cm deep with gritty soil on the top, and I had seedling come up a few weeks later, and this spring have sufficient to start a clump,
It definitely feels as if winter is behind us, spring in on its way!
I have to admit the white pulmonaria is lovely, perhaps one of the reasons I am not so keen on them is that they live in dark places and don't shine out enough. Unlike the white one! Love the stripey crocus. Glad to see you have been busy, it is very good for the soul and the body, Sis. Have a great week x
ReplyDeleteThere are very few dark places in this garden, so they live out in the light. Next time we think of another plant or seeds, I'll include the pulmonaria for you. Going out there now to play!
DeleteI'm going to try sowing miscanthus again. I foolishly sowed the seeds I have on the soil and didn't cover it with enough potting soil. I didn't get good results, but now's the right time! Otherwise, I can't help but admire the beautiful colours of your crocuses and the Pulmonaria Sissinghurst White, which is truly striking.
ReplyDeleteA lovely selection of Crocuses. I don't have much luck with Pulmonaria for some reason. Both the white and blue varieties appear to have vanished.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion they need dividing and moving around every two or three years, you must let me know if you would like some, I'll be showing another one in a couple of weeks time.
DeleteI am with you on colourful trugs, Noelle - I was pleased to ditch my heavy dark green ones for different sizes and colours from Rainbow Trugs (including teeny ones). My pulmonarias are not as healthy as your Sissinghurst White either, Noelle - I love them though and have several but will perhaps check ut growing conditions and see if there are better positions for them. What a curiously mutant crocus that tall one is!
ReplyDeleteI'll show another pulmonaria in the coming weeks, and maybe you would let me know if you like either or both of them.
DeleteA lovely collection, especially the crocuses! My fiancé also really loves the colour purple, so I'm sure we'll have lots of purple flowering plants.
ReplyDeleteI also like the look of that Pulmonaria. It's so different from the normal ones.
Dear Anonymous, a few whites or even yellows really help to lift the purple. Yes that Pulmonaria is a good one, and this evening I have been watching a bumblebee collect from each little flower that was open.
DeleteBeautiful pops of purple, you have such an amazing eye for detail in everything you do💕
ReplyDeleteThanks, that is kind, but sometimes it is at the expense of the larger picture, I like plants but the garden is small, so I am developing a style that suits that interest and limited space.
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