Tulips everywhere!

Well, perhaps the title of this post is a slight exaggeration, but lots of tulips will feature in this post.  The one above is in a pot at the front door, in a single mix and is a delicate pale peach/apricot.  I really enjoy seeing what is in the mix, but the downside is that if you particularly like one of the flowers, it is quite difficult to find out what it is, without doing lots of research.

This is the large tub which featured before but which only had purple and white tulips at that time.  As you can see, other more fiery colours have joined the display now.

 These are hiding at the back, but I thought they deserved a photo by themselves.  The browny/pink one has a very unusual colour combination.

 My favourite bright orange (and scented) Ballerina tulips.  However, there seem to be some reds in there too.  I don't think I mixed them up when I planted them, so perhaps this is an unintentional mix provided by the tulip bulb company.

 Here is dark purple Ronaldo with paler pink Don Quichotte.  I like this combination.

 These are supposed to be perennial bulbs, so once they have finished, I'll save them and replant them.

This Ballerina tulip is in the border and is either one or two years old.

For anyone who has had a surfeit of tulips (which is not possible for me, but perhaps you may not be such a big fan as I am), here is a self-seeded cerinthe which I rescued last autumn (it was growing where the new shed was going to be and I wanted to save it from being squashed).  It has grown well and rewarded me with lovely early flowers.  Bees buzzing around have also been pleased to find it  (its common name is honeywort).

Higgledy Garden - seeds

 I was looking at a blog I follow and found this lovely post about a seed grower from Cornwall whose business is called Higgledy Garden.  Being of a naturally curious disposition, especially where anything about gardens is concerned, I went to explore.  Of course, I was seduced by the beautiful annual plants Benjamin Ranyard grows and loved the way he wrote - he is so passionate about what he does.  So, I ordered some annuals for next year.  Two days later, they arrived, and with great excitement, I opened the envelope.  Here's what arrived:

Gorgeous stamped seed packets and a handwritten note from Benjamin himself.  He has also included some Dahlia seed free for me to try!  So what did I buy?  Here's what they should look like next year:

Nicotiana 'Lime Glow', Cerinthe, Tithonia 'Fiesta', Calendula 'Art Shades', Phacelia, Corncockle and the free Dahlias.  (Mosaic made from photos from the Higgledy Garden website and using PicMonkey).  I now need to buy some verbena bonariensis seeds and some Stipa Tenuissima seeds and then I am all set for next year.  Can't wait! Incidentally, if you wanted to order any seeds from Higgledy Garden this weekend, you'll get some free Rudbeckia seeds.   It is great to support a UK business and get some lovely things too and I haven't been asked to advertise, but I was impressed by the business and wanted to share my excitement!

A successful plant (and thoughts about the weather)

Excuse me for feeling a little pleased with myself due to my successful growing of the above plant, Cerinthe Major Purpurescens.  I didn't plant the seeds until the beginning of June and they were saved from last year's flowers. However, they have been steadily growing too big and were desperate to be in the border, or a larger container at the least.  I kept seeing them and thinking, "I must get round to planting them", but never quite managing to do it.  Finally, on Monday, I decided enough was enough and planted them (rather unceremoniously, it has to be said).  They are quite sprawly in their habit but I like the combination of the glaucous green leaves with white ridges and the deep purple bell-like flowers.  Another benefit is that they are very attractive to bees - I think their common name is honey wort, which may explain why bees like them.  They are hardy annuals and hopefully I'll be able to save seeds for next year too.  They are also filling some gaps in the borders and help to keep the colour going for a while yet.
Incidentally, so far this summer has been 'typically English' with baking temperatures one day then downpours the next... Still, what would we talk about if we didn't have the weather?