What a Difference 6 Months Makes

...here are some photos of the small perennial bed I planted up late last autumn (late October), the first two are of it back then and other two are how it looks today; barely any earth can be seen...

The whole idea behind it was to replace a very large dead ceanothus; the trunk from which is still there with a clematis growing up it. It was also done a budget; the only plant that I bought for it were the clematis as young plants costing £1.49 and the bulbs which were bought during the sales. Everything else either came from freecycle or what I had grown from seed..

 

What an amazing transformation Bilbo. Hmmmm... with the exception of the struggly one to the left of the muscari on the right. What is it that's letting the side down?
Jenny namaste

 

Top Draw looks lovely

 

LOL That little fella' I've just popped in there to fill a gap; its some form of perennial poppy that I grew from seed last year. I'll give it a fighting chance before replacing it

 

You old softy - I do hope it grows up to appreciate it. It may turn out to be the star of the show!!

 

That's filled in nicely Bilbo!! Looks fab!

 

And I thought that it was cold oop north!! Amazing transformation!

 

..2 weeks later and the growth of this bed is continuing at an amazing rate; some daffs are still hanging on but the aquilegias are now close to flowering, the hosta is coming up, there are some huge new leaves on the hellebore, the alliums all have flower buds on now, the white foxglove at the back is getting huge, the perennial sunflowers are now coming along too....I'm so happy with this corner, the way it has developed in such a short time and it cost very, very little too..

 

The 'little fella' has just opened its first flower it's turned out to be a rather charming orange/red semi-double flower, not one I've grown or seen before;

 

What a fantastic colour! Looks like tangerine peel. If you saved seeds ,would they come back true to this colour? I like dark leaves and orange flowers. Could look nice with my new Cranesbill "Midnight Reiter".......

 

Thanks Shiney, it does look like a clump forming perennial variety and although young there are more buds coming already...

 

If I manage to collects seed Jenny, I'll save some for you and then you can try them and see what pops up...

 

Thank you Bilbo