FLOWER POWER

Gardeners at the popular Chelsea Flower Show are not the only ones having a hoe down.  In our back garden Chi Flower Show, blooms are starting to burst forth in a splendid display of colour so all that hard work over the past few months has not been in vain.

 

June is busting out all over

The hostas have escaped the annual summer slug picnic and are getting ready to flower.  This is largely due to those magical little blue pellets rather than some kind of horticultural miracle.  

I love hostas but so do the slugs

Sorry organic gardeners but until someone can figure out how to turn slugs into electricity then it’s the only way to get rid of the slimy critters.

 

Full of entertaining ideas

Large red poppies have added instant zing to the border with their glorious scarlet petals.  I’ve planted at least 3 clumps of these giant papavers as they are quite reliable, hardy perennials whose furry leaves don’t generally feature on the slimer’s just-eat menu.

 

Giant papavers for instant colour

At the back of the border, tall Camassias stand proud.  I’d never heard of this plant before until it was recommended in an episode of Gardeners World.  Cheers Monty!  With its beautiful star like floral clusters, I’ve planted both the white and blue varieties next to the fence.  I bought mine in pots but they are also sold as bulbs for autumn planting.

 

White camassia

Another new addition to the plant repertoire is kniphofia also known as ‘red hot pokers’.  Clumps of long, slim leaves give way to strong stems with colourful exotic looking flowers.  Perennial and easy to look after (just what I like) I’m hoping these will grow into a nice clump after a few seasons.

 

Red hot pokers

Facing front is another old favourite - Iberis.  Over the years I’ve found this plant to be very reliable, hardy and being evergreen provides foliage all year round so a good border edging plant.  Spreads quickly and looks great hanging over the side of a wall.

 

Iberis - a good evergreen edging plant

Being nosy I love looking at other people’s gardens to see what they’ve got growing.  Around the neighbourhood many gardens included a plant with tall yellowy-white flowers and iris-like foliage which I thought might look nice in my border.  

Sisyrinchium Striatum - creamy pale yellow flowers

They are called Sisyrinchium Striatum or satin flower, an evergreen perennial that grows in clumps.  They’re quite pretty and good for full sun positions but I’ll have to keep an eye on them in case they become invasive as irises have a tendency to spread.

Shelby's loving this heatwave