It is going to be a trot or more likely a gallop through six things from the garden this week. As I write this after 4 p.m. having spent the morning busy in the garden after coming back from the market, and the afternoon walking out into the countryside. Rules and guidance should you wish to note things from your garden too and join in is over at Jim's where I shall be linking this post to.
Well it was a surprising start start to the day as I looked out at the blue skies, but down below there was a frost and I had not taken anything in.
1. Last autumn I planted a few Snakes Head Fritillary in pots and a few weeks ago once I could see where other spring beauties had been planted, into the borders they went. I have both the white and purple checkerboard varieties.
2. Nearby the dark leaved Irish polyanthus with burgundy-striped pink flowers Primula 'Dark Rosaleen' has survived the winter.
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| Primula 'Dark Rosaleen' |
3. Canna Tropicana came out of the shed a couple of weeks ago and braved the frost, but with another one possibly on the cards for this evening, I am going to have to move it back. Also it looks as if next week during one of the sunnier days, I shall have to empty out the post and divide the many shoots. I'm going to have a go growing in straight in the soil this year.
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| Canna 'Tropicanna' |
4. A few years ago I was delighted that this little violet Viola labradorica had perched a ride in one of the pots from my last garden. There are quite a few around the garden now. The richly coloured dark purple leaves make for a great little plant, whose seed is spread by ants. They are already active in the garden.
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| Viola labradorica |
5. Another violet which has been full of bloom is Viola odorata 'Kim' I have now have several good clumps minus one which I removed from the conservatory border as it was outgrowing its space, which I wanted for some different plants. This one seems to have selected its own spot along the edge of the path, where it does not have much shade.
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| Viola odorata 'Kim' |
6. I have a little dwarf Forsythia which really needs to have a different sort of year, any suggestions as to what I ought to do to increase flowering next year would be really welcome.
Tomorrow it is the Rare Plant Fair in Wells, the garden is full, but being just a short cycle away, I will not be able to say no to a visit!
I don't think I've seen a white Snakes Head Fritillary before. Very pretty - as is 'Dark Rosaleen.' I'm glad it survived the winter.
ReplyDeleteWe used to live not far from North Meadow at Cricklade where the Fritillaries grew wild in an extensive meadow alongside the river. It is a true spectacle as they all flower at the same time with mostly the checkered purple form with the white ones dotted around. There are lots of other wild flowers, insects and butterflies, and Mr S and I used to visit on several occasions each year.
DeleteI'm curious to see how the canna will do in the ground. Here, all my tropical cannas are in pots except for the Canna warscewiczii, which flowers every year and has no winter protection! So, go for it and let us know!
ReplyDeleteI will try, but keep one in a pot, to overwinter, and allow the others to take their chance. I suppose it depends on the severity of the winter.
DeleteI had a beautiful little self-seeded violet like that last year, but it doesn't seem to have re-appeared unfortunately! The Viola odorata Kim is also very attractive.
ReplyDeleteIf it flowered it will have seeded Kathrin, hope some pop up elsewhere for you.
DeleteThose are really pretty Fritillaries! Isn't it fun when the Cannas make an appearance after dormancy? Mine haven't broken through the soil yet--can't wait!
ReplyDelete