Woottens of Wenhaston, thank you…. Funiculì, Funiculà, Auriculì…. Auricula!

Florist's Flowers I'm rather in love with the double auriculas which feature in the earlier part of this gallery - I didn't think they would glamour me quite as much, but with their gentle ruffles and mix of rich, faded and subtle colours, I'm smitten. These beauties are all auriculas, primroses, and I turn (once…

The best of the rest at Kew – a miscellany from my latest visit: the Rock Garden, Woodland and Water Lily House

Geraneum phaeum (above) - small, dark, richly colouted flower heads held in a haze above chevron'd foliage. Ideal for shady spots. Scilla peruviana (above) - last seen in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley - here it is in amongst the peonies at Kew The Japanese Pagoda Tree (below), well supported - Wild Garlic (above…

Allium rosenbachianum in the Davies Alpine House at Kew Gardens (something a little sparkly – little else was….)

Not strictly an alpine bulb - it is quite garden worthy - but one of the earliest Alliums to flower and a favourite of Vita Sackville West. Here it was sitting in the Davies Alpine House at Kew. Dare I say it, this was probably the most exciting thing there, large or small; I'm usually…

Iris and Peony at Kew Gardens – positively glowing on a damp Thursday afternoon

Above - the lipstick pink of Paeonia Honor, with an unnamed white form, below Below - Paeonia officinalis subsp. officinalis Above and below - Paeonia rockii subsp. atrava Above, Paeonia clusii Above - Paeonia officinalis subsq. officinalis against Iris Red Zinger (also below) Two unnamed Iris Below - actually tinted more lilac in reality, and…

Springtime Blues at Wisley… and the rather excellent online RHS Plant Selector

Fields of Blue - Camassia leitchlini at RHS Wisley - with Rhododendrons in the woods there too (below) Primula auricula Blue Velvet - in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley yesterday Wisteria floribunda Yae kokuryu (above) at RHS Wisley - below, Clematis alpina Pamela Jackman (in my garden) If you are planning a blue-themed garden…

A kaleidoscope of treasures in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley

Lewisia cotyledon Regenbogen The Alpine House at RHS Wisley never fails to delight me - there is always something bright and interesting to look at and the display changes with the seasons so each plant is always looking its best. There are two Glasshouses and it is the traditional display that I prefer - raised…

Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Alba’ – the white Pasque Flower

  Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Alba' - a tough alpine plant, requiring sun and sharp drainage - and lustily resents being moved once established so pick your spot carefully! These beautiful flowers, with their heavily textured, fluffy-furry overcoats, are followed by striking seed-heads, extending the season of interest. There are cultivars in blues and reds too.  …

Poppies, a half Marathon, more from the Burkwood Brothers, Petersham Nurseries, Thug the Cat… random pictures from a chill Spring day

Plants and prospects for my new Kew Project

We're off  to a good start - breaking ground today on my Mediterranean project in Kew. The first crop of plants have been delivered, including those I bought from North Hill Nurseries last week. The (growing) list includes - Caryopteris Heavenly Blue, Dark Knight, White Surprise (7), Euphorbia White Swan (3), Pinus Mugo Mops, Amelanchier…