Just four week since the April Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and what a difference. Spring has gone and we are now into summer although the weather has yet to fully realise that!
The first wave of aliums are looking splendid throughout the garden.
These have been in for many years and over time have multiplied to the extent we are having to reduce them despite their displays at this time of year.
These are actually killing off the Euphorbia griffithii Dixter!
nevertheless the alium flower is a thing of beauty.
And whats left of the Euphorbia griffithii Dixter is too.
This is Rosa Madame Gregoire Staechlin and is normally the first rose to flower in our garden but not this year as Rosa Old Blush China started flowering on April 8th!
Rosa Madame Gregorie Staechlin
Rosa Madame Gregorie Staechlin
Another rose in flower is Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere.
Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere
Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere is on the end wall beneath our conservatory from where we can also see a fantastic display of wisteria.
Wisteria seems to have been very successful all around the area we live in which must have been helped by the lack of hard frosts this year.
The scent from these flowers permeates into the house and is a delight.
Below the wisteria a Choisya ternata which is in also in flower.
Actually this plant has been moving itself. Originally it was planted under the steps leading up to the conservatory. It obviously decided it needed more light and over time has moved!
We have a number of hardy osteospermums in the garden. These have come through the winter well and are already putting on a good display.
However, we always have a backup by taking cutting and bringing them on in the greenhouse. 
Cerinthe major Purpurascens is not really hardy for us although sometimes they self seed and come through the winter as this one has.
but there are also replacements in the greenhouse should they not self seed.
Clematis have started flowering. This is Clematis Daniel Deronda,
and this is Clematis Guernsey Cream.
One of the first geraniums to flower is Geranium himalayense with a Potentilla Abbotswood in the background.
Potentilla Abbotswood and Potentilla notknown.
The pond Iris sibirica looking great in front of the yellow Philadelphus coronarius Aureus.
Another early geranium is Geranium renardii. This is quite an unusual geranium with interesting foliage as well as attractive flowers.
Deutzia x rosea Carminea a relatively new addition to the garden.
Global warming means this Euphorbia Mellifera is able to grow and do well now in our garden.
One of the climbing roses Rosa Shot Silk has started to flower.
This is a beautiful rose but does not repeat well.
And I have added all the photos below. Click on any one to scroll through them all. It is also possible to see them full size by clicking on the full size button (bottom right).
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- Clematis Daniel Deronda
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- Hardy osteospermums
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- Iris sibirica
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- Potentilla notknown
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- Aliums
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- Euphorbia Mellifera
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- Wisteria
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is hosted on the 15th of each month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Visit her blog to see what is blooming in gardens around the world.
| Gardening Hours | ||
| This week | Total since June 19th | Average per week |
| 13 | 791 | 17 |
This is the view you get as you enter the garden through a gate in the garden wall. The lovely tulips are Tulip Ballerina. The urn is designed to be a focal point as you enter. In fact when the plants have grown up in the summer the view of the garden is restricted making an element of surprise as you walk in.
From this point, with the urn on our right, we can see diagonally across to the steps which provide access to the higher level lawn. The Tulip Red Impression is continuing to create a good display.
As we move further into the garden it begins to open up. In the distance you can just see small lake which used to be the fish ponds for the rectory that was next door.
Further still on the paved area we get a different view down the garden past the tree that got damaged recently in a 
This one is Rosa Old Blush China. Actually it is not meant to be a climber but if it wants to climb I happy with that. 
Next to Rosa Old Blush China is Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere. These two roses are both flowering very early this year.
Going up the steps on to the higher lawn we get to the spot where my classic End of Month View is taken. (See 
The blossom on the apple tree is out and looking good despite the storm damage.
Continuing on around the garden we can see the end of the garden wall on the right.
In the circular bed as well as the Brunnera Mr. Morse, Tulip Hageri Splendens is now in flower.
We have now come round to the bottom right hand corner of the garden and are looking up behind the garden wall. The planting here is mainly shrubs designed for relatively easy maintenance.
Continuing on and just before the first yew hedge there is a small pond on the left. This pond has been designed to be very nature friendly with a sloping edges enabling easy access to the water and an easy escape route should something fall in!
Having walked along behind the wall we get to a small grass lawn and flower bed. The Geranium himalayense has just started to flower and looks great with the tulips. The bed is called Ivy’s bed after the lady that lives in the cottage over looking the border.
Across the lawn we get to the Italianate area. Twenty years ago this was all paddock and we added the pond and landscaping. As I mentioned, in 2016 the pond developed a 
The gravel borders were contained with wooden edging and this had rotted away. These are being replaced with metal edging and the gravel, into which the garden had been growing, is all being cleaned up! The obelisks each have had a rose planted in their centre to grow up with clematis. Work has yet to be done on the joints between the paviours which need cleaning and re-pointing.
The seat by the pond is one of our ‘gin & tonic’ seats and this is the view from there. With all the work on the pond it is going to take a year to stabilise.
The little green house at the end of this area is even fuller and there will soon be standing room only!
Looking back at the ‘gin & tonic’ seat the Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine columns are just coming into leaf.
Having completed the tour we get to the shady border by the end of the house with Erythronium Pagoda, various hostas and ferns providing the main planting.
Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco beans.
The green house haul. Tomatoes, Aubergine Bonica, and Cucumber Cucino. Now its time to clean the glass inside ready for seed planting.
Last but not least the Winter Squash Barbara Butternut.
This is Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere in all her spender.
The other big planting at this time of year is bulbs, mostly for spring and summer displays. I normally buy these from 