My garden Mid June (Part 1)

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The shadier areas of my garden are far out doing the sunny borders in terms of what’s flowering at the moment. Despite the sunny weather we have been experiencing some things are taking an age to bloom, still playing catch-up and haven’t quite made the jump from late spring to early summer, I suspect!

I am more than pleased at how the shadier areas are looking this June. Please join me as we go through the side gate……

Most of the Rhododendrons have gone over, Peonies and Aconitums are of massive proportions and are on the verge of flowering. Providing a little bit of colour until then is this self seeded blue aquilegia.

A dwarf Rhododendron snuggles happily beneath Peony Sarah Bernhard

Magnolia Stellata is continuing to put out flowers, another 2 buds appeared day before yesterday. Being that this is only the 2nd year I’ve had this shrub. I’d be interested to know if others who grow it still have flowers and generally how long the flowers last?

Hosta Halcyon surrounded! I’m thinking that fern needs to find a new home fast before it completely smothers Pieris Forrest Flame and it’s companions.

Primula japonica Apple Blossom – first time for flowering in the garden. Just look how stout those stem are. The purple foliage of the Acer really shows up the pink flowers.

My favourite this week, the Meconopsis, I was surprised to see that the winds haven’t stripped the petals. Can anyone tell me if and when the seed heads ripen can I sow onto the borders or do they need special treatment?

Along the edges Dicentras eximia King of Hearts bloom
their hearts out

Whilst Heucherella Alabama Sunrise and Heuchera Black Beauty await their turn.

Physocarpus opulifolius Nugget outside the back door is just beginning to flower, whist it’s neighbour on the other side (Hydrangea petiolaris) is lagging behind.

Until the Hydrangea flowers Geranium macrorrhizum Ingwerson’s Variety is providing welcome food for the bees.

The pond border – whilst some of the perennials are outgrowing their allotted slots (most of these will need splitting in autumn/spring) the shrubs that are growing are well and truly hidden. The Pyracantha I’m attempting to train on wires is coming along nicely. If this experiment works the shrubs will be moved somewhere else.

A closer look at what’s in flower

Primula japonica Apple Blossom, Geranium macrorrihizum Ingwerson’s Variety, Polemonium yekonense Purple Rain and Heuchera Jade Gloss at the front of the border.
Polygonatum multiflorum at the rear of the pond.
Shady containers – Chiastophyllum oppositifolium, Picea glauca JW Daisy’s White and Saxifraga cunefolia variegate
Geranium renardii and Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow near the front of the pond and Tellima grandiflora and Alchemilla mollis fill gaps in the border until the shrubs grow.

Walk on past the Kilmarnock Willow, the Leucothoes failed to flower and 2 more Rhododendrons are suffering dreadfully with sooty mould and cushion scale. That now makes 4 – the bullet has been bitten, 2 have already gone and the last 2 will be removed this week!
One which has yet to show signs is Rhodendron Goldflimmer – more than likely because it isn’t as old as the other. These things happen and it means new planting opportunities, what yet, I know not!

On the shadier side of the deck a few containers sit – Clematis Nelly Moser, very slow this year, usually compliments a dwarf Azalea.

Lastly, this new planting area has come about by the removal of the 2 aforementioned Rhododendrons, not one to waste such an opportunity – I have long wanted an area I can dedicate to growing different Primula – The area should also be suitable for Acers. Acers shirasawanum and Garnet will eventuall fill out but meanwhile, the Primulas can steal the show. Spring flowering varieties were moved here from around the garden and the taller Candelabra types are now coming into their own. Considering I only planted this up 4 weeks ago I’m quite pleased with it .

At the other end, which get a bit more sun – the Enkianthus has found a new home, as have Heuchera Obsidian and Geranium endressii Wargrave’s Pink.

Thank you for joining me for a little stroll – part 2 will follow in a few days – far too many pictures to post on a single blog.

• 18 Jun, 2013
• 19 likes

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