I’m back! Apologies for my general absence on the blogosphere this past month. I could give you quite a few excuses, there’s been a lot going on, too much, plus the small matter of a completely overgrown allotment to wrestle with. The allotment has distracted me and it’s been more challenging than I imagined to allocate attention to both it and my garden – eeek! So feeling guilty, I’m giving the garden a bit of air time, and what better moment than the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? This isn’t quite a Six on Saturday post (or is it? I can’t decide) but I hope to reach out to that crowd of enthusiastic gardeners and see what everyone’s up to.
The front path is packed with roses and Alchemilla mollis, and lots of flowering perennials popular with the bees, including geraniums, catmint, alliums…
Rosa ‘The Pilgrim’ is about half way down the path. I’m glad that this year it has managed not to topple over with the weight of its own blooms. I pruned it to have an open, airier centre and whenever I think it’s getting a bit too heavy, I cut some blooms for the house.
Right by the front gate is the dainty little ‘Ballerina’ rose, a hybrid musk. I love its open, simple flowers and how insect-friendly it is – I’ve seen bees, beetles and hoverflies all around it.
Moving to the back garden, another favourite rose. This one, bred by Belgian rose grower Lens, is called ‘Absolument Claude’. The colour changes from golden apricot tones to white edged with pink. It has a light, fresh scent that reminds me of apples.
It has got a somewhat floppy habit, so I’ve had to make a little wire and bamboo support for it. I’ve got Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ growing underneath it in a test of the ‘grow roses with salvia and they won’t get blackspot’ claim. I have to say, so far, so good…
Sticking with deep purple, it’s always a delight when Clematis viticella ‘Etoile Violette’ comes into flower on the arch – a real velvety number, and always smothered in flowers.
It’s been an amazing year for rhododendrons, which benefitted from all of the rain they got last summer – I didn’t plant ours but it was looking great earlier in May. I have to say, thankfully the bright red-bloomed rhododendron planted next to it has slowly reverted to mauve, making a more harmonious combination.
To end with something very tiny and a new acquisition. This is Ranunculus acris ‘Multiplex’. It’s in the buttercup family, something you can guess at from its reflective golden flowers. I find it makes a nice contrast with Geranium sanguineum and Alchemilla mollis.
Not wishing to miss out on the festivities back home, we’re having our own little Jubilee tea party this afternoon, and a few neighbours and friends will join in the fun. They’ve been all told to wear hats, they are quite delighted at the prospect. I’ve made cakes and a red-blue-white bouquet – I might post a few pics on the blog over the weekend. To anyone celebrating the Jubilee, have fun, and if you’re not, well just enjoy this fabulous time of year in the garden!
No excuses needed Sel and my compliments for your splendid roses in your front garden and the nice path. Nice to read you again and enjoy the weekend.
Many greets,
Rudi
It’s great to see your posts again! I missed them! Your garden is looking stunning with those gorgeous roses and Clematis! I did not know about the combination planting of roses and Salvia to prevent black spot. I might try that too.
I love the purple clematis. I am also trying to plant Salvia with the roses to help stop the black spot, I have planted Salvia cuttings which need to establish themselves more I think.
Thanks Rosie. Fingers crossed!
What pretty roses! and their foliage is so healthy compared to mine with black spots and powdery mildew… Have a nice weekend for the Jubilee
Thanks Fred!
Welcome back ! I love the Pilgrim but I’m not sure it would work in my chalky soil. Absolument Claude is beautiful and it somehow looks as if wouldn’t be too choosy. I have Ballerina and it works well. Thanks for the hint about salvia and roses. I’m planting more and more salvia in the garden these days as they seem perfectly happy in the current dry conditions. Hope your Jubilee tea party went well.
Thanks! I too like salvia for its easy going nature and drought tolerance. Until v recently I also thought the slugs wouldn’t touch them but have been proved wrong damn it, sigh!
Welcome back. It must take quite a while to make it to the front door/or the garden gate with so much to stop and admire and sniff. It looks splendid. I’m having similar issues with a flopping Princess Alexandra of Kent – weighed down by the weight of the blooms. I wonder if it’s a David Austin rose thing? Happy Jubilee tea partying.
Thanks. Yes I think you might be right, I have two other DA roses that are also v floppy. I do take forever to get to the front door sometimes (or to leave if heading out!) 😉
Lovely rose 🌹 selection. My achemilla mollis isn’t flowering yet but occupies a dark corner by the vegetable garden quite happily. Good to see you back.
Thanks
Nice to catch up with you and a very summery selection of plants. I am most impressed with that path though! It is so clean and free from seedling and floppy plants.
I think the odd dandelion escaped the camera lens 😉
The front path is beautiful.
Thanks Paddy!
Your front pathway is delightful! 😀 Hope you had a lovely party. I think I saw that very same Ranunculus while out yesterday, so thanks for the I.D.
Interesting about the Salvias. I like Salvias and my husband is left to care for the roses, I can see a common interest here. Amelia
So glad to see you back on the blogosphere! I liked what “One Man and His Garden Trowel” said about how long it must take you to get to your house, walking and stopping along that gorgeous path! And that little ranunculus is adorable!
Thanks Lisa!