We are in an in between phase. Spring flowering bulbs are mostly over and summer perennials are just beginning to come into their own. The vegetable garden is showing signs of getting established and a few seeds are probably still trying to get going in the cool weather.

New this week:

Crane’s-bills, Geraniums, true Geraniums and not zonal or scented Perlagoniums we purchase in all the lovely bright colours for planters. This is another case of true names not being quite correct but common use has secured them in place! Crane’s-bills come in a multitude of varieties and are a reliable basic for the perennial garden. Here are two of mine:

Geranium phaeum, Dusky Crane’s-bill or Mourning Widow

Geranium “Johnson’s Blue’ ? and unknown white

Hanky panky in the garden produces new generations of crosses!

Dutch Iris

A later flowering spring bulb

Giant Allium

Love these statement-making bulbs.

Purple Sage, Salvia

Mountain Bluet, Centaurea montana and Dame’s/Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis

Two, I could get in trouble for as they are considered invasive in some areas. I carefully monitor mine and I know of no others in the neighbourhood unless in a cultivated garden. Dame’s Rocket has a divine fragrance and Mountain Bluet is great as a cut and come again all summer long.

Pine

Male Flower and Female Flower

Japanese Fern Leaf Peony, Paeonia tenuifolia

in the garden this week:

I didn’t add ‘Beyond the Garden Gate’ this week as ‘The

Wild Garden’ post last week has the flowers that are still blooming away. I didn’t include Violets last week so here they are still blooming.