The City Garden is starting to look very abundant, even messy in places, leading me to think about changes that will be needed in the autumn and spring, but in the meantime I am pleased with several ideas, and particularly these ‘Six on Saturday’!
1.Lysimachia is exploding, but perhaps not in the best place. I planted a variegated plant and half has now reverted to green. Never mind! It is hiding hydrangeas which may have to be moved so that the lysimachia can be divided and spread, perhaps exactly where it is because it is growing well in partial shade and damp ground. This is proving to be an interesting plant, with 193 species, says Wikipedia, and also known as Loosestrife. I think I started with Lysimachia Punctata, and I am also trying another variety, Lysimachia Ciliata, amongst the grasses, but it is new and needs to establish.
2.I continue to enjoy the Hakonechloa Macra Aurea which flourishes in its pot. You can just see the beginnings of the flowers. I planted some more along the side of the path but I don’t think it shows itself off very well like this, flopping over the edges. What do you think?
3. & 4. I think the move towards planting more hydrangeas is going to be a success. The two grown in bins at the edge of the fernery (you can just see them behind the Hakonechloa above) are doing well and a gorgeous colour. Cuttings in the fence border are starting to establish – they were very small plants when put out in the spring, not realising they were a different variety to the bin hydrangeas – and then there is Annabelle! And, bouyed up with success, I have just indulged in a new hydrangea – Paniculata Pinky Winky (!) and need to think carefully about where to position it to best advantage.
5.Continuing the pink theme, the Japanese Anemones are flowering! These are Hadspens Abundance, growing along the shaded flint wall, and under trees. They aren’t quite as abundant as those grown in more sunshine, but they are coping and the snails don’t eat them.
6.And finally a first little peek into the fernery where the coloured ferns are doing well.
Thank you to The Propagator and do have a look at other ‘Sixes on Saturday’ for inspiration!
Your photos are a delight! I love the ferns and that dark leaved hydrangea. I have the yellow loosestrife in my garden, it grows along the ‘woodland border’ which is shady most of the day. It has done well this year, usually it flops over the edge of the wall it is in. I also followed your example of putting Hak Mac into a pot and moving it to the shady courtyard where the colour should be better. I like it in a pot, but I also like yours simply flopping over the steps too. Your garden looks very interesting.
Well thank you very much – very kind. The Hak Mac is in full sun, and maybe you are right and I should leave the floppy bits alone – perhaps there should be more! The dark leaved hydrangea really is lovely and I am going to take cuttings this year. Hydrangeas and grasses seem an odd combination but so far it is working. Yes, the ferns… I need to post on just the ferns; maybe next w/e The garden is not very big and I am trying hard to get an overall good, easier to maintain, result. Gradually I am getting there!
Easier to maintain is a good thing to aim for, I seem to be forever going round my garden dead-heading at the moment! I’d like more hydrangeas for the courtyard as that doesn’t get any sun other than very early in the morning in midsummer. The reds would be perfect to liven the area up, and maybe a dark purple too.
Hydrangeas can be expensive to buy, but they propagate quite easily and grow fast, so not too bad!