WHATS LOOKING GOOD IN MAY 2019

What does the Babtisia do for the rest of the year. I read that it dies down to below ground level and then it flowers for about 3 weeks in June. Is it showy enough to stand on it's own in a bed? Will it leave a big hole when it dies down? Can that hole be filled with anything at other times?

It's a plant I have looked at before but I don't know if it would work for me.

G.

 

Hiya Gary

I grow a few different Baptisias.....they thrive here in mild climate and warm free draining soil. Thus not plants for cold shady areas.

Right.....yes, it dies down in late autumn like most herbaceous do. It has been looking good for 2 weeks or so ...blue buds....and will flower (yellow) for another 2 or 3 weeks. It is a plant that looks good foliage wise too, slightly glaucous so a great foil for later summer plants......for example here agastache Summer Sky and pennisetum Rubrum fireworks provide a foreground for it. Upright attractive foliage plant too

When planting baptisias plant a few bulbs too like lilies, tulips, daffs etc and their foliage will provide interest in late winter. Or, as I have done with Baptisia Australias, the straight blue variety, plant evergreen campanula Birch Hybrid and geranium Russell Pritchard in front of it

 

Geum with achillea Moonshine just opening out....an easy summer long display

 

Linaria Pink Kisses.....everyone seems to love this one

 

The linaria looks grand Verdun how long does she flower for ? Not that I have room for any more plants

 

Hiya Perki.....had it for couple of years.....flowers from spring to autumn
Doesn’t sell seed....which suits me....so I will be taking cuttings

 

In spite of a cold, wet, miserable spring the greenhouse toms are looking really good with early fruit set being quite good. With any luck, we should be picking tomatoes in the first week of July.

 

Our sambucus is coming into flower.


Anything that occupies this centre bed "has to perform," to hold this position.

It gets a significant prune every year, otherwise it would grow too tall.






The lawn's looking a bit rough after the scarifying, but it's already on the way to recovery.


There's three dwarf azaleas around this free standing tub. The front two flower at the same time but the one at the back is always later, (more or less the same colour, different variety).






Our favourite variety of azalea. Must be, we've four of them, through layering.



This is our huge "star" tortoise shell rhodo. This is the last to flower, proves the point, "the show ain't over 'til the fat lady sings."



We bought it and the one to the right about ten years ago in April, from Wyevale, they were reduced to clear .. (well half price) as they had frost damage on all the few buds they had. They did nothing obviously the first year, but for the second we planted them out and they've repaid us for rescuing them every year since. Though this one has grown to twice the size of the other. Last year I pruned off a couple of branches as it was crowding those either side.




Some more roses.

 

I love the third rose from the bottom the best @Doghouse Riley

 

@hydrogardener I am jealous - my toms are only just starting to set.
@Doghouse Riley I love the rose 4th up - the gorgeous red.
@Verdun which geum is it please? You seem to use it in a few places and the colour works with a surprising range of others

 

Hello CarolineL, it’s Totally Tangerine. Yes I have several large clumps around the garden. Easily divided too

 

I've been out on my usual early morning potter with a cup of tea, fed the fish and decided to take a few (LOTS) of photos of the plants which are all looking refreshed after a rainfall last night. LOVE LOVE LOVE the garden, gardening, plants and nature. This is why I love it:

 

(Euphorbia purchased at Shineyland 2018)

(last one is Carol Klein's Rodgersia - grown back after I thought it was a gonner)