The three As in May (and a couple of extras)

The three As in May are Aquilegia or Granny's Bonnets (above is a self sown one (I think)...

This was one from my sister's garden which has a lovely flower with lots of petals...

Then there's Astrantia and this may be Burgundy Manor but it could also be Star of Love.

The third is Allium, which I love but they don't seem to like my garden.  Even the ones I grew in large pots with the roses haven't come back as much as I hoped they would.  I like the ones I have got though. These are Christophii I think.

The couple of extras are this new acquisition, a geum (the label says Total Tangerine, but I am hoping it is Totally Tangerine). It will provide a fabulous contrast to all the pink and purple in the garden.  They are supposed to be good in pots so that decided me.  They are also supposed to flower for a long time and not require staking. 

The other extra is this lovely apricot foxglove.  I didn't think any of the apricot foxglove seeds I sowed last year did any good, so I think this may be a self-seeder from two years ago.  Whatever it is, it is so welcome!

Just because I can, here is another shot of the aquilegia.

It is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this coming week, so I shall be watching the TV coverage as usual.  It is always interesting to see which plants are popular. 

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.
 

More star plants (for Chelsea week)

It would have been RHS Chelsea this week and as the show was cancelled, the BBC have been looking at the last ten years of the show with the presenters in their own gardens.  There have also been films on Youtube.  In my own garden, there are lots of star plants.  Above and below is Rhododendron Tinkerbird which has pretty flowers and the most gorgeous jasmine scent which wafts round the garden when the sun is shining.

The flowers are a lovely combination of pink and white.

Some of my lewisias are flowering too...

This one has pink, apricot and coral coloured flowers.

The blue aquilegia is flowering well this year.

 Iris sibirica is in a hot and dry part of the border, so shouldn't be looking quite as good as this as it prefers slightly damper conditions, but it is lovely to see it.

 The stainless steel spheres echo the alliums really well and it is a happy coincidence that there are three alliums here.

 Another allium.

 Gladiolus Byzantinus is flowering too, although I don't have as many of these as I would like.

 Of course, those divas of the plant world, the peonies, are delighting me...

...this is a patio peony (Athens, I think) and is grown in a pot.  The peonies I planted in the border are not as happy as this one. 

This double red astrantia is hidden behind a rose and easy to miss.  I am not sure of the name but it could be 'Star of Love' and came from RHS Chatsworth two years ago.  

The garden is doing me proud this May.