A review of my garden in May

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I should probably warn you before you start reading that I’ve just looked at the amount of pictures I have to upload – so probably best to have a cuppa whilst your reading! Don’t say you weren’t warned :)

Whilst May might have got of to a slow start, the garden is really coming on leaps and bounds. The long summer border is a mass of green, peonies are almost ready to pop, clematis are full of buds and shrubs are almost fully clothed!

I began planting out this garden just over 3 years ago, some of the plants are now coming into their 3rd year therefore I am expecting BIG things from them this year – please join me for a walk around.

Spring bulbs this year have been extremely usefull and certainly value for money this spring – providing splashed of colour for well over 7 or 8 weeks.

Daffodils, Tulips, Muscari and Fritillaria in May

In fact, walking out into the garden to take some pictures last night – Narcissus Tresambles are still blooming! Note the alliums stems behind, Alliums and Daffodils, now theres a planting combination we don’t see too often in the garden!

No spring garden would be complete without primulas, would they? The drumsticks and cowslips have now gone over but the others are still looking reasonably good. The Candelabras should be taking over soon!

Primula veris, denticulata and vulgaris

Pulmonaria, Hellebores, Mossy Saxifraga, Epimediums and spring flowering Clematis joined the party – even the earliest flowering Rhododendrons were late!

Lets take a walk around the garden as it is today…..

First of all – the side garden. I have a long narrow side garden, which doesn’t really allow for layers of planting but here’s whats going on

My oldest and favourite Acer, I’ve had this Acer for 17 years it is flanked by a couple of young Pieris shrubs. A GOY inspired planting combination.

Acer palmatum dissectum Crimson Queen

Pieris japonica Flaming Silver

Pieris japonica Forrest Flame

Still looking rather bare – Magnolia stellata. I truly thought there was only going to be 1 flower this year but over the last couple days another 2 have appeared. The Fatsia, I never really expected to survive here in my garden but it’s come through 3 winters looking well – it’s planted in the wrong place but I fear that if I move it it will die and I’ve grown rather fond of it – garden dilemmas, eh? Ferns, Zantedeschia and Hostas amongst others will add interest soon enough!

Magnolia stellata

Next in line should be a rather leafy Hydrangea – still in twig mode and uninteresting, I’ll skip that! The pink Rhododendron with no name. It has been visited by the Vine Weevil Beetle as you can see from the nibbles munched out of the leaves.

There are also a couple of Camellias – one trained esplanier on the fence which has not flowered this year!

In one of the little borders outside the back door – primula denticulata and veris (Terratoonie inspired) have gone over, colour beneath the Physocarpus now comes by way of gleaming yellow daisy like flowers

Doronicum orientale Little Leo

Still on the shady side of the garden, planting around the pond is still filling out. Hostas have finally punched their way skyward, ferns are unfurling but there are a few flowers Soloman’s Seal, Bugle and Jacobs ladder (I’m learning common names too!)

Polygonatum multiflorum

Ajuga Burgundy Glow

Polemonium yezoense Purple Rain

Astrantia, Tellima, Heucheras and Candelabra Primula will flower later in the shady bed that houses the pond.

The remainder of the shady border near the top end of the lawn is home to Rhododendrons, Hydrangea and Leucothoe along with a few others that are uninteresting at the moment.

Growing as a standard, this red Rhododendron is just beginning to flower.

Rhododendron Red Jack

One of the afore mentioned Hydrangeas has hit the big compost bin in the sky – I just could not stand looking at those leafless stems much longer! A new home for one of my Acers which had been growing in a pot for the last 2 years.

Acer palmatum Orange Dream

A wee shady spot beneath the foliage of other perennials is a new plant this year.

Corydalis flexuosa Pere David

A recovering Skimmia sits in a pot nearby

Skimmia japonica Snow White

The other Epimediums have finished flowering, this one gets much more shade that the others – being tucked behind Astrantia foliage but liking it there it seems!

Epimidium perralchicum Frohnleiten

In the border behind my decking, which has unwittingly turned into a peony border – tucked underneath are a white and red bleeding heart

Azaleas are also coming into bloom – the Azaleas are not so far behind in flowering in a normal year unlike lots of other plants.

I moved this 4 weeks ago, it didn’t seem too bothered!

The sunny side of the garden has less interest going on this May. Some of you may remember that part of this border flooded last year. Having restocked it with moisture loving plants – it’s been as dry as a bone! There is plenty going on just nothing flowering!!
Further down nearer the house interest is in the form of creeping Phlox. Now in their 2nd year are beginning to fill out and do a great job of softening the edges of the border

Phlox subulata Amazing Grace

Phlox subulata Emerald Cushion

Phlox subulata Kimono

Mossy Saxifraga are still adding interest in the gravel bed

The Aquilegias are not quite looking at their best but this just adds something a wee bit different. Being billed as short lived I was surprised to see that they came through winter.

Semiaquilegia Sugar Plum Fairy

Always very late to put on leaves, which is fine – it means they aren’t affected by any late frosts

Cornus alternifolia Argentea

Last but certainly not least…….

This dainty little Berberis is currently tucked below the Cornus

Berberis thunbergii Bagatelle

Thank you for joining me in my May review – I hope you enjoyed your stroll around my garden.

• 26 May, 2013
• 14 likes

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