The Garden in May

 

I thought I would start with the cornflowers or Centaurea montana to give it's full name. They normally need staking but at the moment they are being supported by other plants such as this geranium. 

The picture below is the Weigelia Red Prince that is the most dramatic of the shrubs at this time of year. All the better for a hard prune last year.

I'm amazed that the lilac has flowered again. It must be over twenty years since it was planted. I have previously tried to cut out some of the many parts of the trunk but it still looks a mess. Will try again after flowering is over. But it does smell wonderful. 

The low bushes below are Hypericum Calycinum or Rose of Sharon. For the first time I have pruned them before flowering (an early Chelsea Chop). It might keep them under control as they normally grow over the lawn. The larger shrub is Hypericum Hidcotense that nearly died a couple of years ago in the hot weather. 

The shrubs along the back fence next to the Leylandii had a major prune as they were overlapping the lawn. Quite a hard job so one for our tree man next time. 

The Clematis Montana has again had a hard prune as it was falling off the supports on the wall.

But it did look well in the spring.

Only just come into flower are the Dianthus White Flame in side patio containers.

There are flowers that seemed to flower quite early this year. This is the pink Astrantia.

Then the blue Iris.

The Aliums come up every year. 

The Campanula around the conservatory are gradually moving across the path.

The Salvia Friesland likes in the pot by the fence, but perhaps not the best place for it's display.

The sunflowers and cosmos that I grew from seed in a tray have been planted out in the long and round borders. We shall see how many survive.

The bees love these poppies.

The roses seem far behind in flowering compared with a lot of gardens I see on my walks. The Blue for You is always the first to flower, and the others are just on their way.

Today (the 26th May) I found the border near the conservatory looked great from the other side. Lots of flowers with the Campanula around the conservatory in the background.

And finally here are the Dahlia Figaro Mixed that arrived in tiny trays that have gone into pots in the conservatory before being planted out. Too much work so "this could be the last time. Maybe the last time, I don't ......).