Everything's coming up roses...and alliums (part two)

Here are the rest of the roses, with the exception of New Dawn, which is on the arch and which looks better when Clematis Perle D'Azur is in flower with it, so it will appear another time.  Above is Constance Spry, which only flowers once but is impressive when it does.  

Roald Dahl is not in the best place as it is shaded by the lilac tree and I will need to find somewhere that gets more sun for it, I think.  However, it is managing to flower. 

This is a Persica rose, which is supposed to be a good one for our hotter temperatures/less water.  It is Eyes for You.  I had one of the these before, but it was a spindly plant and I bought a replacement, which is doing so much better.

Another Persica rose, 'For Your Eyes Only' which is a reliable and lovely rose, with flowers ranging from apricot and peach to orange and pink.

Rose Dannahue, planted in a big pot on the north facing side of the garden and seeming to be doing well.

Emily Bronte, which is a pretty flower, but  to me, it should have a deep red/purple coloured rose, rich and deep - something like William Shakespeare 2000.  This one is a bit 'pale' for her, I feel.  However, the bush itself is strong and tall growing, so perhaps that's more like the author.

My most recent rose purchase is Bring Me Sunshine, named in memory of Morecambe and Wise, who used this song as a theme tune.

Geoff Hamilton, a rose named for the much missed TV gardener who inspired me to have a go at gardening.  It doesn't like getting rained on, so I caught this flower before it was ruined by the rain.

Finally, the alliums.  I am still astonished by the size of these...

...they are beauties, aren't they? Here with astrantia Burgundy Manor and erigeron karvinskianus. 

I didn't realise I had quite so many roses but as they are one of my favourite flowers, it's only to be expected!

Sunshine and Mandalas

We haven't see a lot of sun recently and while the cooler temperatures have been fine for me, I agree that a little sun now and again would be nice.  There are some plants giving that sunshine vibe, such as this sunflower.  My sister-in-law grew it and I plonked it rather unceremoniously into a pot under the lilac tree.  However, it has rewarded me with this rather lovely flower.

It is like a burst of sunshine, isn't it?

Rose Roald Dahl is also flowering, somewhat later than the other roses, but it is not in the best place as it it rather shaded.  I shall have to see whether I can move it into the light a bit more.

In other news, I was asked to draw some mandalas by a friend, who wasn't sure whether she preferred black and white or coloured, so I did both. They were very enjoyable to make and quite a relaxing activity.  I was inspired after taking a class with Kate Crane - For the Love of Circles.  She showed how with simple shapes, you can build up what looks like a complicated pattern.  My friend chose the black and white one, which I must admit, I liked best too!  I need to draw some more.