The Lily and the Rose

 

'Within the garden's peaceful scene

Appeared two lovely foes,

Aspiring to the rank of queen,

The Lily and the Rose'

William Cowper                              

1. Tiger Lily

The exotic tiger lily with its dusting of freckles, threw back it's petals and announced its arrival at the garden party.  

They are sprinkled through the Long Border, with this group benefiting from a backdrop of purple leaves provided by Bishop of Auckland.

2. Rosa Wisley

Rosa Wisley is the first to announce its return after a mid summer rest.  I have several of the pale pink varieties of David Austin Roses.  I must admit that I find it a little hard to tell them apart, but they are all very pretty.

So is it the Lily or the Rose which deserves the crown?  Or, like Cowper, do you award it to both?

3. The Long Border

Meanwhile, down in the Long Border, the Rudbeckias, both fulgida 'Goldsturm' and laciniata 'Herbstsonne'  are powering up this week.  Cool blue Agapanthus at the far end and deep pink phlox at the near end provide some colourful contrasts.  

'Goldsturm' is such a reliable plant, spreading gently to produce a dense weed smothering carpet.

4. Pots and more pots

I often think, as I water the pots of an evening, that it would save me a bit of time if I didn't bother with them at all.  But the truth is that the garden would be a duller place without them.  There seem to be times in late Spring and just now when pots are the main providers of colour in the garden.

There are plants, like this Salvia 'Amistad' which wouldn't survive over winter in the ground, which seem happy in a pot.  

So having convinced myself that the pots should stay, I should get on with ordering some spring bulbs (if only I can whittle down the initial list to something more manageable).

5. Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail'

This is one of those tough as old boots plants that spends most of the year as an unexciting mat of leaves, and then does this to remind me why it has garden room.  It does need corralling back into its space, from which it would cheerfully wander if given the chance.

6. Breakfast

After I've posted this I'm going to make myself a little breakfast.  The fruit from the strawberry plants in the greenhouse and the 'Autumn Bliss' Raspberries outside are supplemented by a few brought blueberries.  Yum!

That's all I have room for this week, but do check out The Propagator to see what's happening in other gardens from around the world.