IRIS AND BLUEBELLS

It's been another dry, warm week and it's been like Summer, in that pots and young plants have needed frequent watering, which is an unexpected extra task at this time of year.  There's plenty of spring flowers, thankfully, to enjoy as we face three more weeks at home.  Here are a few of my favourites.

1. Iris 'Early Purple'

I don't know the proper name of this Iris, which was in the garden when we moved in.  They were lurking, but not flowering, under a yew tree.  They moved around the garden to three different locations,  but are presently adorning the knot garden. 

There are no prizes for guessing how I came up with the name.  It's out before the rest of the Iris and is shorter than them, making it an Intermediate Iris I believe.  Given the number of different varieties in cultivation I don't think I will be able to find it's proper name.

2. Bluebells

Looking lovely in the woodland, where bluebells belong in my opinion.  

3. Erythronium 'Pagoda'

I'm gradually getting the woodland garden under control, but in the early days of our gardening here it was a jungle of nettles and elder.  Any plant that went in there had to be tough to survive, and some didn't make it (is this starting to sound like 'Tropic Thunder', the film, to you too?).  Anyway, Erythronium 'Pagoda' went in a few years ago and has not only survived, but flourished.  The flowers look a bit like martagon lilies with their turned back petals.  Very elegant for such a tough plant.

4. Pricking out

After the seed sowing, comes the pricking out.  I've had pretty good germination from most seeds, so the Marigolds ('Space hopper' since you ask, as big and orange as they come), Busy Lizzy, Achillea Lilac shades, Antirrhinums, Red Peppers, Aubergines as well as a few others have all been pricked out.  Now the seed trays are empty there'll be the opportunity to sow the seeds that weren't included in 'round one'.

5. Cherry blossom

If I had a poetic soul, I should be picnicking under these, like the Japanese do, to enjoy the fleeting blossoms falling down about one.  I did lie down under it to take a photograph, but I don't think that counts.

6. Bowl of Tulips

Spring Green and Mount Tacoma looking fresh and simple on the front terrace.  I  often plant two different varieties so that  one tulip would follow on from the other to lengthen the period of the display.  It didn't work out like that this year, but it looks good to me.

Wishing you all good health and may your garden bring you joy this coming week.  Many thanks to The Propagator, who kindly hosts Six on Saturday.  Do click the link and take a look.