LUPINS, IRIS AND DAHLIAS

Quite a few Iris were featured in last week's post, and more varieties have opened so you are getting more of them.  This is 'Superstition' (at least that's what I ordered, you never know with bare root Iris).  It's a little smaller than some, with a delicate look.

I like to mix the Iris with Lupins as they flower at the same time.  I try to get the colours to work together harmoniously, but as the lupins do seed around, it doesn't always work.  Here is one pairing that did work, with Iris 'Codecil'.

Leaving the Iris behind, lets have a wander through the Orchard.  The grass is rather long as the daffodils have not yet died back so it can't be cut yet.  The Queen's Green Canopy was a Jubilee project to encourage the planting of trees.  This was my contribution to it - a Medlar Nottingham, (because that's where we are) which was planted towards the end of last year.  This is the first time I've seen it flower, and what lovely flowers they are.

I didn't want to overdo the Chelsea aspect, because I suspect if you were interested you've been watching it all in the TV.  So I will limited myself to just including pictures of the Sarah Price garden that I mentioned last week.  It did live up to my expectations.  Lovely soft colours combined with an openness and delicacy.

I was a bit disappointed by some of the other gardens which were not designed to be seen and enjoyed from the public viewpoints.  I heard the TV presenters say more than once, how you really don't 'get' such and such garden until you get onto it.  Well good for them, but what about the show's visitors?  It seems a bit much given the price of admission!  (Rant over).

I thought I'd featured this already, but I can't seem to find it in previous weeks posts, so I'm going to include it now because it's looking at its best.  It's an oriental poppy, but it's earlier than the red ones, called Princess Victoria Louise.  It brightens up the Rose Garden while I'm waiting for the roses to arrive.  (Spoiler alert - they should be out next week).

And finally, to show that I've not just been swanning around looking at show gardens, but have done some proper gardening too, here are my Dahlias ready to be planted out, laid out by variety*.  I wasn't sure how many there were, but I did get round to counting them (50).

* Left to right they are Naomi, Bishop of Auckland, Bishop of Llandaff, Bishops Children in dark and bright reds, Indian Summer, David Howard, Mystery Fox, Boom Boom Yellow and Glory of Heemstede.

This is where they all end up - in the Gertrude Jekyll inspired Long Border.  I just have a few annuals to pop in and then I just have to sit back and enjoy the show.

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.  See you next week.