The start of May in The Fortnight Garden brings real change. The rain has made a huge difference to the garden, coupled with slightly cooler weather. Beds are starting to fill in and the fruit trees have been a joy. It has been a particular pleasure in a week when there were two ambulance trips to hospital and much languid languishing. I am not ready for active gardening yet so this week’s Six on Saturday is about enjoying what I have!
1. The fruit trees are still a joy, although the flowers are now starting to go over as the fruit sets. It looks as though there will be another good crop of quinces and crab apples. I think I need to be more imaginative with both this year – I cannot possible make more jelly or membrillo!
Quince flowers 
Quince flowers
2. Ferns are unfolding and just beautiful. OK, there is only one variety, Dryopteris Affinis, but hey, it is growing and green.
3. Geraniums continue to give pleasure: Phaeum Samobor and to my surprise, Ingwersons, which I thought I had lost. I will be watching the latter very carefully and hoping to take cuttings at the end of the season. It is such a lovely pink. I am also finding a few scattered plants of a white geranium, which I did not plant. By the look of the plants it may be a mutation of Mayflower, although it is not as tall.
‘New’ white geranium 
Phaeum ‘Samobor’ 
Phaeum ‘Samobor’ 
Ingwersons 
Johnsons Blue 
Spessart
4. I like the blue heads of the ajugas but there are fewer than I would like. Perhaps they have been swamped. I need to start new ones and try again. I find that cutting off the creeping bits and putting them in water encourages rooting and off we go again!
5. Persicaria are starting to flower and pretty in pink, but I think I need to dig out when they are done, dig in more compost, and start them again – they look a bit crowded and small to me. And perhaps I should be combining them with some of the purple Heuchera?
Persicaria 
Heuchera ‘Purple Palace
6. And finally the paeonies are starting to show buds.
I looked back to this time last year and am quite surprised to be reminded of the constant changes in this small garden, and I am quite happy with the challenges and changes. And that is the start of May in The Fortnight Garden and my Six on Saturday. I look forward to seeing what is happening elsewhere and thank you to The Propagator for putting us all in touch!
Love that peony bud..hope to see it in flower soon.
Thank you – I think we may have to wait a week or two, but it depends on what the weather is going to do. A bit of warm weather and it will rush out!
wow your persicaria is flowering already! mine is months away. different variety, mind.
This one is called ‘Donald Lowndes’ and although it is flowering the blooms are much lower and smaller than a few years ago. I think I need to dig them up, re-compost and feed the bed, and then replant – a big job!