The Three As (and some other options)

It is the time of year for enjoying the three As in the garden - Alliums, Aquilegias and Astrantias.  Above and below are some of my alliums.  Those in the sunny border don't seem to be very happy and are dwindling.  It is a raised bed and perhaps gets too dry in the summer.

I have planted some in the big rose pots and they seem to be doing better.

I do like the globe flowerheads.  

Aquilegias are another plant which don't seem to like the sunny border.   They have seeded themselves into other pots this year.

I should have an astrantia photo here, but the one I took is too blurry so I will have to try again. In the meantime, there is a chive flower which is very pretty (and edible!)

If you don't like the chive flower, how about a geranium phaeum?  These are happier in a bit of shade so they are in the north facing border.

My third option is an apricot foxglove, grown from seed last year and with drops of rain on the flower. It is nearly time to sow next year's plants.  These are in a pot and have done better than the ones I planted in the border, which seem to have disappeared.  

It is RHS Chelsea Flower show this week and I shall be watching the TV coverage, as I do every year.  It is always fascinating to see how the gardens are created and where they will be going after the show. 

Rainbows and plants

Last week, during one of the many rain showers we had, there was this beautiful double rainbow.

It was there for about half an hour and these were the best photos I could get.  I think it's always magical to see a rainbow.

The plants have loved the recent rain, except when it gets too heavy and batters them too much.  This little geranium sanguineum striatum is shyly starting to flower.

The astrantia above was bought at one of the only three RHS Chatsworth shows there were.  Sadly, the RHS have decided not to hold the show there any more, but to focus on the bigger and more well attended shows.  RHS Chatsworth had only just got going really, but there we are.

I think this one may be 'Star of Love'. 

Galium odoratum (woodruff) seems to be making itself at home at the back of the border and is giving a froth of little white flowers.

Geranium Phaeum is always reliable and is loved by the bees.  The alliums and roses will be next to flower.
 

My Star plants

It's a bit of an in-between time in the garden, in late May.  The roses are in bud and lots of other plants are getting ready, but the tulips are over and the Spring flowers are fading.  So, what is there to look at in my garden?

 Magnolia Fairy Blush in its second year with me and looking very pretty.

 An aquilegia my sister gave me - I don't know what the variety is, but I like the delicate pink and white flowers.

 The stalwarts of the May border - alliums.

 Another aquilegia bought last year and not planted out or potted on yet - shame on me!  I wonder whether it would seed with the white one and make a pale blue variety?

 Erigeron karvinskianus which has pretty white and pink flowers.

Reliable Geranium Phaeum, or mourning widow, to give its common name. I think this might be Lily Lovell, but am not sure.

 Geranium Phaeum Album - a lovely plant.

 Clematis Crystal Fountain just unfurling.

 More deep purple Geranium Phaeum.

Finally, another geranium, versicolor, I think, but I could be wrong.  I love the veining on the petals. This one seeds all over the place and is trying to take over, but can be removed easily. I let it stay where I want it to be, but take it out if it gets too unruly!  So, a few plants to enjoy and keep me going while I wait for the roses, peonies and clematis to flower.

Purple Plant Portraits

A rather alliterative title to introduce the range of purples that are in the garden as a very wet April moves towards May.  Above is Aquilegia 'Navy and White', but rather more royal blue/purple than navy, to me.  I like the contrast of the white inner petals.

 A vibrant aubretia, 'Kitte', with touches of fuchsia in the purple.  Aubretia always makes me think of pillows of purple tumbling down a lovely stone wall, or over the edge of a border.

 A deep and dusky Geranium Phaeum, or mourning widow, with black/purple flowers.

 A burgundy Triumph tulip, just starting to go over, but still providing a big splash of colour.

 The pink/purple of lilac, just starting to unfurl its buds.

 The delicate purple spotted flowers of Viola sororia 'Freckles'.

 Freckles again, highlighted against the vibrant green of its leaves.

 A tanzanite purple of Clematis Macropetala, with drooping petals.

 More burgundy purple from violas, with cheerful faces peeping out from amongst the foliage.

The purple of Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve', waiting patiently for me to find it a home either in the border or in a larger pot.
This purple theme will continue with alliums and more geraniums, until the pink of the roses and other clematis start to take over.  Despite the awful weather, this April has still been colourful and with all the rain, the garden looks incredibly verdant.