Saturday 29 November 2014

"April showers bring May flowers" English proverb. (Bulbs)

I have always tried to have something of interest in the garden all the year round. Opening your garden on a specific date certainly concentrates the mind on what 'should' be in flower and looking good at that time of year.


Alliums have long been a favourite, with Purple Sensation, as you can see from the header photo, always providing a good show during May - June.



A.Purple Sensation with Euphorbia palustris.

I have planted Euphorbia palustris as a companion to Purple Sensation after reading Carol Klein recommending it. I was a little concerned how well it would grow in our conditions (free draining soil under the shade of mature trees), You can see from the photograph, so far it is thriving.



A. Mount Everest.


Allium Mount Everest is planted in the White and Green garden. Although the cost of the bulbs prohibits planting on such a grand scale as with Purple Sensation.
I have planted a few extra in the garden this year and in a bowl with Lychnis coronaria alba, one of my favourite self sowers along with the red form.




Allium christophii creates a sparkly addition to any border.





Allium kartaviense is a dwarf variety with lovely long lasting metallic coloured leaves.
I first saw this one at Ivy Croft in Herefordshire, growing in their alpine scree. Ours are planted in bowls in the front of the house (South) alongside the alpine boxes.


Allium kartaviense. copyright Avon Bulbs.
A new one for this year is Allium Red Mohican. It was one of my treats from Harrogate autumn show. It is available from Jacques Amand.


Allium Red Mohican Copyright Jacques Amand.

Because it is both new and different, the bulbs are £2 each but I have purchased five and they are planted in the old tin bath on the patio so that I can keep an eye on them.  I don't think squirrels eat alliums, better to be safe than sorry!





The majority of Narcissi will be over long before the end of May, the old pheasants eye, poeticus recurvus, is one exception flowering in May. We already have them planted in the garden and I have added some more. I think they are always worth having, both for their beauty and extending the daffodil season.



Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus is a corm that always delivers a splash of magenta in May/June to brighten up the border.





The two raised beds edging the patio are usually planted with Dahlias and Annuals for the summer followed by Tulips and Wallflowers. I know its traditional but it works.




However this year with the garden open at the end of May the Tulips would be past their best.
I have experimented planting Camassia quamash with Siberian Wallflower in the one raised bed, the Camassia 'should' flower May/June.


Camassia quamash.

In the second raised bed I have planted the dependable Allium Purple Sensation with  Siberian Wallflowers.



 I hope the raised beds will look a little more exciting in May, and the bulbs will have read the garden books!

 I purchase the majority of my bulbs from Avon Bulbs in Somerset.

Click on any of the photographs to create a slide show.






Monday 24 November 2014

A Gardener's Friend.

While tidying up in the borders last weekend I thought I was being watched...



From above.




From below.



Someone had their eye on me.



Clicking on the pictures in the blog will enlarge them.

Thursday 20 November 2014

WHY?

WHY?

We may well ask that question several times between now and the end of May. 
The NGS is a charity we have long supported helping friends who open their gardens and of course visiting NGS open gardens buying tea, cake and plants!
We have opened Our Garden@19 for 3 years as part of the village church fund raising group.
This experience along with our two partner gardens has encouraged us to open for the NGS.

Ready for visitors!

WHY BLOG?

Irene suggested I do it, if I have learnt nothing after over 40 years of married life it is that I should give careful consideration to any suggestions coming from that direction!
The garden is an important part of my life, I enjoy sitting in the garden with a glass of red or a cup of tea and just absorbing nature and the atmosphere, trees, flowers, grasses, shrubs and wildlife especially the birds, they all contribute to Our Garden@19.
It is satisfying to see your efforts rewarded with seeds germinating, plants growing and flowering just as you planned! We enjoy sharing Our Garden@19 with family, friends members of the Black Pear Gardening Club and visitors.
Writing a blog is a chance to share the garden and my photos with many more enthusiastic gardeners
I enjoy reading other blogs ( See my lists) sharing their gardens, triumphs and problems.
Opening for the NGS does seem a good starting point to create a journal/diary.


Acer griseum in the Autumn sunlight.
I hope you enjoy reading Our Garden@19.  If you do please leave your comments,
 I look forward to reading them.
You can sign up to receive posts by email, that way you will not miss any of the exciting episodes!

Sunday 16 November 2014

About Our Garden@19

Our Garden@19







Hello, Thank you for clicking on Our Garden@19
We have decided along with two other gardens in the village to open for the NGS in 2015.(Deep breath).
This blog will hopefully be a record of our trials and tribulations in Our Garden@19 preparing for the weekend at the end of May.
Please read the pages about The Garden and The Team, you know what they say, "Behind every successful man? is a hard working team."
The details of the opening will be published in the NGS Yellow Book and on their website in the new year.
I hope you enjoy reading our blog, please leave your comments, I look forward to reading them and will reply ASAP. If you don't wish to miss any of the events in Our Garden@19 you can sign up for emails.
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