Some of the 'A's

It's that time of year when the aquilegias and alliums start to flower.  I think the aquilegia above is a seedling from the original plant.

The alliums are also starting to make their presence known.

The way the raindrops were sitting on the miscanthus leaves stopped me in my tracks one morning.  

We had some much needed rain as it has been really dry through most of April and into May.  I like the way the drops of rain are just sitting there.

Aquilegia Navy and White, I think.  

They are pretty flowers.

Rhododendron Tinkerbird is in flower again and the lovely jasmine perfume is wafting around the enclosed patio space when the sun shines.  I potted this poor plant on recently as it was in a small tub and this may also have shocked it somewhat.  It isn't looking too healthy at the moment as the leaves are mottled, which after some research, seems to be due to the Pieris lacebug/Rhododendron lacebug. I shall give it a feed and possibly a spray with some invigorator once the flowers are over.  The roses are just starting and there will definitely be photos to follow.  

The garden in May

The garden has exploded in colour and growth after the recent rain.  It is a joy!  There are quite a few photos in this post - I just can't help myself when there is so much to look at.  Above is rhododendron Tinkerbird and her flowers have opened seemingly overnight.  

What you can't get from the photos is the delicious jasmine scent from these flowers and the scent wafts around our little enclosed garden when it is sunny.

The flowers are so pretty with their delicate flush of pink.

This is a real Spring view - apple tree, bright green foliage and tulips.

The lewisias are coming into flower too.

My favourite Ballerina tulips after last night's rain.

The pink fringed tulips which I didn't plant, but which have flowered on and off for the last twenty years.

This narcissus (Pheasant's eye, or Narcissus poeticus recurvus) was one of my Granny's favourite flowers.  She would be so pleased that I am such a keen gardener.

Granny used to walk to collect us from the bus stop and walk the mile or so home.  She was a fount of knowledge about wild flowers, shrubs and trees.  That is a wonderful memory which I treasure.

Aquilegia or Granny's Bonnets. I think this is a self seeder from another plant further up the border. 

Self-seeded bluebells, but such a lovely blue, I am very happy for them to be there.

Tulip Ronaldo, still in flower, looking lovely with the raindrops.  

These have lasted really well this year.

Raindrops on roses, well, raindrops on rose leaves.  This is Olivia Rose Austin.

Another lewisia.

Finally, (well done if you have made it this far) here is Magnolia Fairy Blush.  So pretty, so reliable and really needing a bigger pot now.

White flowers with a tinge of pink, just like the rhododendron at the start of the post.  I love this time of year! 

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.

Early May in the garden

 Despite the rather cool weather for this time of year, the garden is blooming.  Above is Magnolia Fairy Blush, grown in a large pot.  It isn't the most interesting of shrubs during the year but the flowers do make up for it.

 They are so pretty and slightly lemon scented too.

Some of the tulips are still in flower - this is the mystery fringed one.  I didn't plant it, but after a gap of a few years, it has started to bloom regularly, so is very welcome.

 Ronaldo, Ballerina and Queen of Night...

 I do like this combination.

 One of my lewisias is flowering too...

 It has some apricot shades amongst the pink.

 Star plant is Rhododendron Tinkerbird again.  Lots of flowers and when the sun is out, the jasmine scent is beautiful.

 Pink buds opening to palest pinky-white flowers.

One of my many favourites at the moment!

Camassia Blue Candle is also in flower, although the lower flowers are going over.  I didn't keep on top of the watering this Spring and Camassias don't like to dry out, but it looks like I have been forgiven.  I probably do need to divide these bulbs this year as the pot is getting rather full.

 Beautiful pale blue and lilac shades.  Lots to enjoy and the alliums will continue the display in a few weeks.

Green, white and a hint of pink

 The snowdrops have been growing away recently and I took this shot a few days ago.  They aren't quite as upright now.

 I noticed my camassia bulbs coming through too, again, this was a few days ago.

 This is what the blueberries looked like this morning.  We had a frost and the coldest night of the winter so far.  Now I know that -5 degrees centigrade is not really cold, particularly when America is suffering -30 degrees centigrade, but -5 is cold enough for me. 

 Hydrangea Annabelle always looks elegant, even with dead flowerheads.  They look really sculptural with a layer of frost.

My palm won;t really be liking the cold, but its frosty leaves made a nice pattern.

Rhododendron Tinkerbird edged with white.

 Even the stainless steel spheres looked a bit more magical and mysterious than usual.

 So, there is the green and white.  Where's the pink?  Well, my camellias are trying to flower despite the temperatures and the fact that it is only January (February tomorrow).

 I really hope the bud survives the weather as it looks as though it will be a pretty flower.  I should really have fleeced it - I hope it's not too late!

Another sort of green - peridot and sterling silver earrings.  The pair on the right went to a colleague at work and the pair on the left went to my mum in law.  They both have August birthdays.  I think they liked them.