Eh June already? Blimey it’s a quick year. Seems like yesterday that we had snow on the ground and the beast from the east paid a visit. Is it just me or does it seem that most of the weather is coming from the continent this year. Bloody European weather coming across her bringing it’s thunderstorms.
We are still going through a mini drought up here and rain is scarce. Water the garden last night and I might have to increase the nights I water. Luckily we have the biggest purpose made reservoir in Europe in Northumberland, Kielder Water. Apparently there is enough water in there for most of the North. So if we really run out of water up here then there is something seriously wrong with the world.
It’s been a good week in the garden. I have managed to do a couple of hours a night. The garden is starting to take shape and I am pleased to say that the shed move went a head last Saturday so later on in rev year I will have 2 new beds to plant up. I have written a blog about the shed move here Shed Move and it stars my Nephew, Tom – with the 80’s hair cut. He looks like a member of Flock of Seagull
1. Clematis Josephine
I bought this Clematis last autumn and I thought the Beast from the East had killed it but so am pleased to say it is still with us. It is growing vigorously but I only have 3 buds at the moment. I think I have it in to much sun. I have put a deep mulch around the roots to protect them. The flowers them-self I am sure you will agree are spectacular. A purple double flower with a woolly Pom Pom in the centre that looks like it has come off a lambs tail. Very happy with this plant. Fingers crossed there will be more flowers this year.
2. Lewisia and Aubretia
These 2 plants are adding colour by the bucket loads in the garden. I planted these by chance next to each other but I am sure you agree that colour combination is looking wonderful.
3. Perennial seedlings
It’s my first year growing perennials from seed and they seem to be coming along ok for my first attempt. I have speed Cupid’s Dart, Globe Thistle Blue, Foxglove Summer Breeze and
Viola Bunny Ears. The problem I have however is that I am to impatient and it is going to be a struggle having to wait until next year until they flower. I am sure it will be worth it however.
4. Pink Thrift (Armeria Martina)
This plant is a bit of an Enigma. In the winter it looks horrid. It is just a mound of unsightly clumps of leaves but it redeems it self with vengeance at this time of year with a dazzling display of pink flower on short stems.
5. Shop bought Dahlia
The Dahlias I have planted are coming along nicely and I am expecting another 5 plants by mail soon but I couldn’t wait so I had buy this one when I saw it. Dahlia’s are a staple of the summer garden. The flower come in all shapes and sizes and add depth and vibrancy to any garden. This one is Happy Days.
6. Phlox Home Fires
Quite a unusual combination of flowers on this Phlox. Is this normal? Will the top one in the left split in time. Answers on a postcard please.
As always to find out how six on Saturday works please follow the following link The Propagator. The don of six in Saturday.
Well that’s my SOS hope you have enjoyed reading. Off out now to to do a rain dance..
Sedums, Dahlias and Hayfever 
Love the zingy Lewisia/Aubretia combo! It seems very strange to me to read that you’re suffering from drought!
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Oh I wouldn’t say suffering just tired of having to get the hose out all the time. We would rather use stored rain water from my water butts.
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Especially on my Dahlias and Pelargoniums. Natural water.
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Maybe I should have said suffering from lack of rain water…
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It is not often that we are fine for rain in Kent whilst the North East is crying out for it! Glad to see your clematis has made it through, I think I just have one in intensive care showing no signs of life now.
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Thanks Ali. Weird isn’t it!
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I liked your combo Lewisia-Aubrieta already seen a few days ago on Twitter. This mix is eye-catching. Lovely clematis too
PS : I think you meant Armeria maritima 😉
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Thanks Fred dam auto correct…
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Some fab colour going on there! Your clematis will take a year or two to settle in. First year sleep, second year creep, Third year leap, so they say.
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Your a star been searching for that rhyme for days!
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Your clematis is gorgeous!
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Love that Lewisia, I shy away from alpines because our warm wet winters take such a toll. Josephine is a bonny lass too.
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Fabulous Clematis. I must get some more – I think I only have 3!! Lovely photos.
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Yeah it is a great plant. I have 7 but I think only 4 are going to flower this year. Thanks for your comments
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What a shocker to see a dahlia at the beginning of June, but I understand now that it was forced. I’m getting excited about the dahlia parade to come before we know it! Also, so glad you’re delving into seeding perennials. Your patience will definitely be rewarded.
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Clematis is one of those things that everyone else grows better than we can grow it here. However, ours have been doing quite nicely. I do not know much about it because it is not common. I see them in nurseries, but not in landscapes or home gardens, as if people buy them in bloom, but do not keep the alive for long. Ours are not very impressive, but have been there for a few years, which is good by our standards.
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Lovely six, so much colour. I have a couple of Lewisias that were my Dad’s but they’ve never looked as good as the one in the photo
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That’s a nice six but I’m skipping quickly past the Clematis (no room) and zeroing in on your creeping phlox. “Home fires” is the common name of a variety of Phlox stolonifera (native to the US). But that phlox does not have notched petals. I think it’s a variety of another creeper, Phlox subulata. (there is no variety of subulata called Home Fires that I know of though yours might be one known as Purple Beauty, which is often pinkier than purplier – I may have just invented those words). Variation such as yours in flowers of subulatas is quite normal which is another reason why I think yours was misnamed when you got it.
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Just goes to show not to trust the labels on the plants in garden centres.
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