WHAT'S LOOKING GOOD IN JULY 2018

Posting these here.....wrongly put in recent purchases thread a moment ago!
This is a quiet secluded spot accessed through an arch covered in scented honeysuckles
Compare the dwarf anemone Elfin Swan in front with tall Ruffled Swan further back
Lots of scent there too from perennial heliotropes

 

the baby of the anemone Wild Swan series....this is Elfin Swan

 

Two dwarf kniphofias of the many I grow .....if the delicious names dont tempt you the colours and long flowering will. They are all popsickles.....Mango, Orange Vanilla, Hot Papya, Pineapple and Lemon

 

Yep one on my kudos mandarin today too but a carder (you can see the long long tongues, they almost look like flies), some of the other bumbles are nibbling at the ends to gain the pollen, so clever. I’ve seen them do it on Aquilegia before too. Still far more on the Black Adder and taller varieties though, stunning architectural spires

 

@Verdun , your garden is an absolute credit to you. How many competitions have you won?
I jolly well wish my garden looked so fine ..... envious ..... must try harder !!
I must try harder, I must try ...

 

Those anemones are fabulous @Verdun
I have one wild swan anemone which we planted last year and we've had times we weren't sure it'd make it, but it's hanging on in there, and leaves are looking healthy. Although it's still very small, it must've been in a 9cm pot and hasn't really grown much. But we aren't giving up on it! Did your various swan types take a while to get settled and established? I know they say with other anemones they can take a year or two to get settled properly before they thrive.

Will be worth it though if they look likes yours eventually.

This was our wild swan in flower last year, pics not very good.

 

Lovely plant, such a bright white and thanks.

 

Lovely Verdun.

 

Sienna, not really too long in establishing themselves here but they will improve year on year.

I'm not keen on planting anything out from 9cm pots; I feel plants do so much better grown on into 1 litre, preferably 2 or 3 litre, pots first

Warm, free draining loam with plenty of goodness plus an annual mulch is ideal I think for the Swans

In my opinion, the Wild Swans are definitely worth it. I was concerned they would struggle in the relentless heat this year but they have been fine. Reputedly they are difficult for some folk but there were some dodgy clones a couple of years back so go to reputable growers...Hardys, Elizabeth Macgregor, etc.

Wild Swan has single flowers, Ruffled Swan is taller with semi double flowers, Elfin is single and smaller, Dreaming Swan, well, flowers "nod" a little. Bet you get the "set" too Sienna

When the wind blows you can see the blue on their backs and then they look superb.

 

Lovely @Sienna's Blossom they look so delicate.

 

They look amazing Verdun.

 

Thanks mark, I'll have to look harder.

 

@Verdun I'm in constant awe of your photos, and the colours of your garden - it seems like you never have an "off" time! What's the tall pink-red flowers behind the anaemonaes in the front of this picture?

 

Hiya 2nd bassoon....nice words, thanks
I think you may be referring to persicaria Dikke Floskes. I grow a few different ones here and all are low maintenance, floriferous and weed suppressing.
They are all amplexicalis types....non invasive and well behaved

 

Yes, I can definitely see myself collecting the set, they're beautiful, I really like the ruffled swan ones so might get some of those next, but they're a lovely collection. I'll look into the growers you mentioned thank you.