Sunday 21 August 2016

How does your garden grow?

 Camera in hand I walk the garden.    Would you care to join me?   Lets talk flowers :)
 I am not a lover of Gladiolus but have to say I am smitten with this.    I cannot tell you the name, a mixed bag of bulbs without a label.
 I can tell you the name of this one though, for it is without doubt, a firm favourite.    Abysinnian Gladiolus or one of its common names the fragrant gladiolus.    It has the most beautiful scent that cannot fail to please.
 Unknown rose....given to me by my Father.......very special to me.
 Shrub rose Rhapsody in Blue, a gift from my Mother.
Flowers in shades of mauve, violet and purple that gradually fade to slate blue.    It has a sweet spicy scent.....delicious.
 I love this plant........Hydrangea paniculata Vanille-Fraise.
I love the pyramid shape flower panicles, they start white,
 turning shades of pink as they age.    When October arrives they will take on rich pink tones.    
 A random planting that worked out well...........
 Persicaria pink elephant.    Love the name, bees love the flowers.    We need to help the bees :)
 Sedum Autumn Joy and Herbstfrende.     I wonderful late flowering plant for butterflies and bees.
They often get a bad press for flopping.    I find planted in full sun and never watered they keep upright, neat and tidy.
I would not be without them and have one flower bed full of them.      In Autumn they are covered in honey bees, butterflies and  numerous other insects.    They are worth their weight in gold for this insect loving gardener.......

Hope you enjoyed the short tour.    Will take a look around the jungle garden next time.    Until then, have a lovely week.

20 comments:

  1. Oh! But your garden is beautiful, Cheryl! Your roses are gorgeous and so special... Like any plant that was a gift. Have a beautiful week! I also love insects.

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  2. Oh....what a treat taking this walk with you. Along with the pollinators I thoroughly enjoyed it!xxx

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  3. Hi Cheryl
    It is always a pleasure to walk round the garden with you to see what is doing well and give me lots of ideas. I'm not a fan of gladioli either but that delicate shade of pink is delightful. I had to buy another sedum as the sparrows shredded the old one. I wouldn't like to be without one in the garden for the colour is gives later in the year and, yes, the insects and bees love it.

    It is always nice to be given a plant as a gift especially when they are a long lasting one. Beautiful reminders of your parents.

    We are having a downpour at the moment of long awaited rain - the garden is heaving a sigh of relief :)

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    1. Hi Elaine,

      I have never heard of sparrows shredding sedums? Was it moisture they were looking for ?

      I wish we had a downpour.......it seems it is not going to come my way. The sun is shining and it is really warm.

      Have a good week Elaine.

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  4. This path does beckon one to come see what is blooming. Gorgeous flowers. I know the roses are special being given to you by your parents. Sweet. I have some gladiolas too. I don't know why I picked up a bag of those 'mixed' colors. I think the shock of the bold colors of the ones I got are sort of exciting. I really don't have full sun for them so they flop unless staked just like my sedums. I love the flowers for the insects and birds that are drawn to them but they are floppers. The hummingbirds like the glads as well as butterflies and bees that are drawn to them. I guess that is enough to give them a space in the garden despite their flopping.
    I like that persicaria too. It is a pretty color and form. I will look for that here. I wonder if someone carries it.

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    1. What a lovely thought, gladiolus and hummingbirds. Now that is something I do not have. Such magical little birds.

      My marsh mallows have flopped. Looks pretty but slightly untidy. They are a bee magnet, so for me, they are keepers.
      I shall give them the Chelsea chop they could solve the issue.
      You could do that with your sedums next year. I have been told it works with them. You cannot do it with all plants but sedums you can.
      Yes pink elephant is very pretty.....I am pleased with this buy. It forms a neat clump apparently so I shall keep a check on it and perhaps add more to the borders.

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  5. Always a treat to walk with you through your garden, Cheryl. I've never been a fan of glads either, but these blossoms are so pretty. I see Crocosmia peeking through in several photos--that is a plant I've tried several times to grow with no luck. I wish I could, because it really adds a dramatic vertical contrast in the garden. Love your hydrangea, of course, and the roses are lovely, though I am sure they are special to you regardless of their pretty colors. You would be happy to see all the bees in my garden this year--it's buzzing all day long!

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    1. Hi Rose,
      Crocosmia is like a weed here. I have Lucifer.....it is dotted through all the beds here. I love it but have to keep it under control. It tends to want to take over but I will forgive it because it adds such vibrancy to the beds this time of year.........

      Lovely to hear your bees are doing well.......

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  6. Thank you for our walk in the garden. I love sedum. In our suburban home we had Autumn Joy interspersed with hosta and they were lovely. I love gladiolus, especially when planted in large numbers. Wish we could share the scents as well as the lovely photographs.

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    1. Sedums and Hosta I would never thought of that. Sounds like a beautiful combination. You have me thinking :)

      One day, long after I have gone, I expect people will be able to share the scents on line :) Who knows !!

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  7. Lovely walk in your garden Cheryll, I love a garden full of flowers. The Abysinnian Gladiolus does remember me that I have forgotten to plant them this spring, I have them most of the years, I love their fragrance.
    Regards, janneke

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    1. I have forgotten to plant the bulbs some years Janneke. Like you I love the scent and am always disappointed when they are not in the garden.

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  8. I remember your beautiful garden from a post you did a while back. I have rhapsody in blue too, a wonderful rose, and sedums as well. It all looks so beautiful, Cheryl. X

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    1. I have found Rhapsody in Blue gets a mixed press. I think it is one of those flowers you either love or hate.

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  10. Always a joy to 'walk' around your garden Cheryl.
    Your photo's are so lovely and the blooms all so colourful.
    I love Sedum Autumn Joy in the garden, and over the years have been fortunate with this plant.

    Now may I suggest a sit down and a cuppa?

    All the best Jan

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  11. Some lovely flowers, my garden really struggles at this time of year apart from phlox and crocosmias. I must look out for the persicaria as I too am anxious to help bees as much as I can. They are loving my oregano at the moment, I have several bif patches of it, not especially attractive as it flops all over the place but it's covered in bees and hoverflies etc.

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    1. A must for any wildlife gardener Rowan, I have oregano planted all over the garden and yes insects love it.
      The smaller butterflies like it too :)
      It does get a tad floppy, doesn't it ?

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