Whats Looking good May 2024

I’ve grown Meconopsis for many years. Yes they are somewhat fickle but if given roughly what they like then they are fairly trouble free.I think part of the issue is the common name given to them, blue Poppy. Yes they are the only true blue flower in the world but are nothing like a poppy in their requirements. Unlike poppies they like a reasonable amount of moisture and very rich soil plus semi shade, the complete opposite to poppies. They here at any rate are at their best between the middle of May and into the beginning of June. The fourth photo shows they can be a bit odd and only produce 3 petals on the first flower, then the next to open has the normal 4! The best thing about them this bumper year for slugs and snails is ….they haven’t been touched!.

 

But also, it just doesn't occur to a lot of people to research the plants they buy or to try and learn about gardening in general. I was talking to a colleague at work about growing blueberries. He has some in his garden but is not finding them producing fruit reliably. I said about them being ericaceous and he had no idea what that even meant. Mind you, he also didn't know that female blackbirds are brown. This is an intelligent guy in his 40s.

 

I feel that's the job of gardening programmes though. To educate, and give helpful info to people so that they're encouraged to carry on and experiment with taking cuttings and sowing seed, and trying a different type of plant etc. Surely that's more useful than seeing trips to stately home gardens, or someone with a national collection of something or other? Room for both of course, but it's basics that are valuable to new gardeners. If they fail with a plant or sowing seed etc, they're more likely to chuck it and take up knitting.
Just my opinion of course.

 

@fairygirl, it's perfectly possible to do both. Knitting on cold days, gardening on warm days. Best of all is to sit in your own lovely garden and knit.

 

I would rather knit indoors on cold days @katecat58, except I can't knit!

 

That’s very kind of you @Sheal, thank you. I think I actually have some here. I thought they were a type of Mahonia but now know better!

 

@Busy-Lizzie it's never to late to learn, or try crochet.

 

I used to crochet. Can't do fine and fiddly things now, arthritis, swollen joints.

 

Knitting has never been a thing for me. I think the enforced rubbish at school a million years ago would have put anyone off.
I'm not very good at sitting in the garden for any length of time either. It's already too hot out there for me unless I'm in the shade. Hopeless.

 

I'm sorry to hear that @Busy-Lizzie. I have arthritis in my thumbs (awaiting surgery) but I don't find that it bothers me when I knit or crochet.

 

Absolutely beautiful

 

Posting a little bit late, but I needed to share the first flowers from the iris roots posted to me by the lovely @ARMANDII
(Apologies for the poor photo - like the UK, we have had rain, rain and yet more rain)

 

Sorry I haven't been around much lately, I don't know where the time has gone. I will try to catch up soon.

Meanwhile here are some roses ...

Designer sunset :-



Rose Gaujard :-



Francine Austin :-



Masquerade :-

 

Leptospermum silver sheen.

 

My red velour petunias are starting to burgeon, just need them to trail a bit now