Thursday 13 August 2015

13 August : Red


I love the names of the flowers of late summer: Helianthemum, Leucanthemum, Argyranthemum, Chrysanthemum and Rudbeckia, Crocosmia, Dahlia, Achillea, Echinacea. I am a late convert to the yellow, orange and red charms of these flowers and this time last year there was nothing once the roses had finished in July but now there is a fledgling August border with shades of gold, copper and bronze. The orange Crocosmia has done well for the first time - although as a good Cornish girl I prefer to call it Montbretia. The sweet little rosy red Helianthemum and some gorgeous rich amber Echinacea are putting on a brave show and will be joined by others by next year. There is much room for improvement - two yellow Rudbeckias have keeled over with shock and died, clearly not team players, and there are gaps at the back where I need some tall Achillea. I think that I need to go garden visiting to get some inspiration. Do you want to come with me?

8 comments:

  1. that flower has a baroque jewel for a centrepiece

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    1. What a wonderful description - I love the reflexed petals of the autumn flowers which I assume has some evolutionary advantage in a prairie environment.

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  2. Count me in :-)

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    1. I will tuck you in my coat pocket. I promise to empty out the woolly gloves and old packets of Polos first.

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  3. The only red in my garden is an Oriental Poppy in May, after that, no more red.

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    1. I can sympathise - I used to feel like that about yellow flowers but I am weakening in my old age!

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  4. My August garden is all about Schizostylis (Kaffir lily), the problem is I'm still waiting for it to flower. I do like the idea of a dedicated August border though. I spotted Geum Mrs Bradshaw flowering again today, she obviously needed a good long drink as she's been resting for the past six weeks.

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    1. Omigoodness...I have just Googled 'Schizostylis and now I have been stricken by an acute attack of the Wanties, I must go and hide my credit card.

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