Six on Saturday - 23 May 2026

At the start of the week, it was cool the sort of temperatures that make you want to do some heavy work in the garden , and now it is as if we been thrown under a solar lamp,  It was like that on Friday afternoon, but this morning it is cool again.  Perhaps it will warm up.  To find out what other gardeners are up to, Jim's post is the place where several of us link in. 

Here are my six for this week:

1. 

Ladybird poppy with a fine white edge to the petals

What's not to like about poppies? Last year the Wells WI 'Blooming Fun' group visited a private garden in Bristol, which was delightful.  I particularly liked that the owner went to find scissors and an envelope when I asked whether I may have a couple of seedheads from his Ladybird Poppy.  I sowed some seed in modules last autumn, and the came up rather like mustard and cress. I kept moving the sown seed in and out of the shed so that they got cold but not too wet .  I didn't thin them out, but planted the whole plugs in various places, primarily to hide the dying snowdrop leaves. I think just the fittest plant in each small section has grown up. Around 90% of the first flowers to open have this fine white edge to the petals. 

2. Last year I received some aquilegia seed from Catherine Wood who is a Six on Saturday contributor.  There are four different types, with more than enough seedlings, and some seed kept back just in case they failed, still left in envelopes. Later this week, I will need to pot them on, both for myself and I am sure there will be more than I need, to share with others later in the year.

3. Was it three or perhaps four years ago that I took cuttings from my friend's rose tree which her husband winds through their front boundary railings? Sue doesn't have the name anymore.  However it is rather lovely and someone may just recognise the rose and perhaps let me know if my hunches are right.

Even from where the squirrels nibbled the top shoots, more shoots are emerging. From Google Lense and the description of the plant, I feel it may be Rosa Alberic Barbier. Let me know what you think. Since I first wrote this post, I have had the name confirmed.

4. Last year, I grew Omphalodes Linifolia, a small plant of which my friend Alison brought when visiting.  I liked it so much, I saved seed, which were autumn sown, and took care of little seedlings so that I could have several plants this year. Another name for this plant is Venus's Navelwort, I'm not sure whether it is the flower or the seed that inspires this name.

This is a view of the border with some of the poppies and Omphalodes.

5. Toona sinensis 'Flamingo' or sometimes commonly called Chinese cedar was on the point of being given away during the week, as several friends came round to pick up divisions of the dwarf bearded Iris Fuzzy, and other divisions which interested them.  It was left behind, and has been finally 'allocated' a spot in the garden. We shall see if it thrives or flounders!

Toona sinensis 'Flamingo'

It certainly wasn't happy in its pot!

6. I had to dig up my large clump of Iris Fuzzy and hence divide it.  It was ready for it really, and in addition to my replanting it, it provided plants for six other gardens.  Close to where it was growing I now have room for a recent purchase.  I love a plant that changes through the seasons and is evergreen plus I rather like Pittosporum.  It is therefore not surprising that I picked up this Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay' from my friend's plant shop Thomas D'arcy 'The Garden House'. It was not at all rootbound, so I hope it will send its roots nicely into the surrounding soil.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'

It is one of the smaller pittosporums, and hopefully will get established in time to brave the winter.

I could have shown you more roses this week, but I need to keep some things for next week.  It is a small garden but I try to cram in as much as possible by spreading interest right across the year. 

I've just watched a great video about growing roses from cuttings, and since I lost one of my two Rose Grace shrubs last years, I shall prepare some more.  I do love my rose bushes and they are now coming to the fore, so it may well be a rose week next week.  More home work about choosing and growing roses I feel.