More stars of the garden in June

While the roses are always the stars of the June garden, here are some others which are bringing me joy at the moment.  Above is osteospermum Erato Purple Glow which is such a splash of colour.

Astrantia Burgundy Manor...

Clematis Perle D'Azur which has grown over the arch and is rapidly approaching the bathroom roof, in an attempt at garden domination. This clematis took a while to get going but is absolutely stunning this year.  

There is a rose under there too - New Dawn.

Here's the view from the other side.  The pink striped rose in the foreground is Ferdinand Pichard.

A 'new to me this year' salvia, Cerro Potosi, which has cerise flowers that are almost neon.  

This foxglove 'Apricot' was planted in the shadier border and has been beautiful.  I grew it from seed and am so pleased to see it looking so good.

I have enjoyed watching the flowers open and the bees have certainly liked it too. I need more of these in the garden next year...definitely.

Early May in the garden and buying some plants

I have one clump of English bluebells which have grown at the base of a potted box bush.  

One of my camellias is in flower and looks beautiful.

I visited a local garden centre last weekend and just had a couple of things on my list - a salvia and some compost.  Well, you know what it is like - I came back with an osteospermum, a dianthus, lemon thyme...  

...a nemesia...

...three ferns, a salvia, some compost, some grit and some slow release fertiliser!  It was lovely to have a trip out and indulge in some garden retail therapy (even if I spent more than I planned!)

Alliums and osteospermums

A bit of a purple post today, due to the rather gorgeous alliums currently flowering away.  I have two varieties in the garden - Allium Gladiator above was purchased last autumn and the bulbs were HUGE!  I was expecting a suitably enormous flower head, but in fact, they have turned out to be not much larger than Purple Sensation (the other variety I have) although the stems are much thicker and more solid.

 Here is Allium Purple Sensation which has been reliable since they were planted about three or four years ago.  I have noticed that the flower heads seem a bit smaller than they were - weather conditions, or aging of the bulbs?

 Another Gladiator -  I bought three bulbs.

 Gladiator flower head close up.

 A trio of Purple Sensation.

 Just for a change, here is an osteospermum which I found at the weekend at a florist's in town.  It is only an annual, but I shall enjoy looking at the deep purply/maroon flowers over the summer.

Velvety rich purple petals - lovely!