Memories of last summer

wonderful garden Annella

nicely coiffured very organised..envious of your attention to detail, well done

Thank you :o))

The way the sun hits that prunus is fantastico! I just love the way the fence has almost totally disappeared...I know, I know, I need to be patient!

Karen I want to plant a Clematis to grow up the Prunus, I think a pink one to go with the neighbouring Solanum would ne nice. Any suggestions?

Well, you don't want to overpower that lovely pale blue, which is already strongly contrasted by the prunus. And then there's the yellow of the solanum too. To be honest I think I'd go yellow, and I'd go for Clematis Chisanesis 'Love Child' which flowers from May to August. It would look lovely with both the bronzy foliage and the blue and yellow flowers. However, I know you said pink and I know how much you love pink..lol! A deep pink would look great with the prunus but might kill the pale blue and yellow of the solanum. Mmm...so what about that lovely Mienie Belle I grew last year, with the pale pink bells that have a slightly rusty tinge to them? Or, if you want a large flowered one, I think I would go with Hagley Hybrid, which is reliable and lovely. I have more ideas, but it would be useful to consider when you want the clem to be flowering......another thought....a honeysuckle? another halliana? Finally, I've had a great result with the lovely blue Clematis Arabella with Solanum before. It flowers for months, It looks perfect with it, and wouldn't look amiss with all that pink either....lots of different ideas for you to consider Annie!

Thank you for that Karen. There is a Halliana growing on the other side of the Solanum, they join together over the back gate (great minds!) I loved your pics of Arabella with Solanum and did successfully grow Hagley Hybrid in Wilby.....lots to think about :o)))

Yes, the Arabella is gorge, but it doesn't get above 5' high so it wouldn't go up in to the prunus. Of course, there are taller blue ones!

Strangely, there are few true pink clems. Most have that purple tinge. However, I do have a Mrs Spencer Castle, which is another lovely subtle pink with semi double flowers and later singles. It's another large flowering var. And I also have Texensis Princess Di (perhaps a bit strong colour), Etoile Rose and Vitecella Kermesina. All worth considering. I can also see Clem Flammula up there, lovely scented white stars.

Mmmmmm...

Sorry, I got started. You should know better than to ask me about clematis!!! Once I get started I need a lecture theatre!! I should write a book shouldn't I!!

You should!! Don't stop it's all so helpful....just wonder how I'm going to afford them all. Lol

LOL!! I know...one is somehow just never enough!! After all that thinking, I still think Love Child would be beautiful and would bring out the yellow in the solanum. It grows fast, doesn't need pruning and the flowers are so pretty. What's more, mine is in total shade most of the year and it just keeps on performing. Oh, and it has a faint scent too!

I need to get out there so I can plant them behind the lower shrubs for root shade. In the summer the gaps I have in mind all disappear under foliage.

Yes, it's perfect for that reason. The messy bits of the clem will all be behind the evergreen photinia!

It's so much easier to see the planting opportunities out there at this time of the year.

Isn't it just? I received my Cotinus 'Grace' yesterday and it's not a bad sized little plant. Much better than the tiny stick I tried to nurture before. I'm going to plant it beside the deep orangey red rose on the fence...that will look great don't you think? I also got a water avens 'geum rivale' for my boggy bit. The sky is clearing as I write this and blue patches are appearing so off I will go , out there and get them planted....they 'want to grow'...lol x catchya later x