👑 CORONATION SPECIAL 👑

Exciting times here in the United Kingdom, for it is the Coronation of King Charles III today.  The history and the spectacle should be a sight to behold.  We shall be breaking open the tin of Coronation shortbread and toasting the newly installed monarch with a glass of the sparkling stuff, whilst watching it all from the comfort of our settee. 

The challenge this week was (obviously) to come up with a Coronation themed Six on Saturday.  Could I do it?  Mais oui.

My first picture in Imperial Purple, is this Bearded Iris.  This is the first of the iris to flower in the Knot Garden.  It has no name, other than the one I gave it of 'Early Purple', which seems a trifle literal I admit.

My second royal choice is Rosa 'Prince Charles'. It's a Bourbon rose in Tyrian Purple according to the catalogue description.  Not yet in flower in my garden sadly, as it would be nice if he had opened a flower or two for the Coronation, but I think in early May that would be too much to ask.

This is him as he is now, in the photo below, being trained to cover this repurposed fruit cage.

Now I think it's time for a bit of the Red, White and Blue of the Union Jack.  Red comes courtesy of Geum 'Scarlet Tempest', which I bought last year so this is it's first Six on Saturday outing. 

Next up is White, represented by Tulip 'Carnival de Nice'.  I couldn't do a post without tulips, so I'm pleased I had one to fit with the theme.  These were planted quite a few years ago and the border has grown up around them leaving them a little hidden in the middle, but being careful not the trample too many plants, I was able to get a snap.  

I have never been to the Carnival at Nice, although it must be lots of fun.

I've just spotted the photo bombing Goose Grass

And Blue ....

Which is represented by Veronica gentianoides, which is the second plant in this weeks six which was already in the garden when we arrived.  That's quite something given there wasn't really anything much here at all.  It's quite pretty and easy to grow.  You can dig bits up and pop them in somewhere else and it doesn't seem to mind.

I've been saving the best till last.  This is the closest I have got to HRH so prepare yourself to be underwhelmed.  Not only is this Hosta 'Prince of Wales' (he holds the national collection of Hostas), but I brought it from Highgrove!

It's a biggie, with a height and spread of up to 1m (although admittedly mine still has a way to go).  You are not allowed to take photos at Highgrove so I don't have any lovely photos of the gardens there, but you can buy a photo taken by the official photographer to prove you were there, treading the paths trod by royalty.

Me and a few other people at Highgrove

That's all from me for this week.  I hope you have an enjoyable gardening week, although the weather here is looking a little bit rainy and the lawn mower is playing up again.  Oh well...

Thank you for reading, and don't forget all the Six on Saturday posts can be found on Garden Ruminations where Jim collates all our garden ramblings.