peacock – A Plantsman's World

Temperatures are hovering around 20°C which quite suits me. The weather is generally mixed with some rainfall, although the ground remains hard. Some thunderstorms are forecast, starting today, but it will be interesting to see what transpires as they often seem to miss us. I am afraid this post is rather rushed and will consist mainly of just pictures.

This little beauty popped up out of the blue. There have been several years when some poppies have emerged, but so far, none as nice as this one.

I have several astilbes, as they do well in the damp, shadier parts of the garden. I don’t know the name of this one but I think it has a nice balance between the red of the flower, and the dark green foliage.

I felt I had to include Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ even though it currently must be one of the most commonly seen border plants. I always think if a plant is that popular, it must be good. You certainly can’t miss it!

Peacock butterfly on a buddleia. There have been plenty of butterflies this year I am pleased to say. This one wouldn’t keep still, despite having strong words with it, hence the slightly blurry image for which I apologise. As the buddleias go over, my Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) will take over and provide nectar, usually until the first frost.

This is a hydrangea that I inherited. At one stage I was going to dig it up but relented as I rather like the colour.

This Alstroemeria is one of the Summer Paradise series ‘River Valley‘ a characteristic of which are the variegated leaves. Unfortunately the flowers are not looking their best, but I think this occurs with most alstroemerias as they don’t seem to wear well.

This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.

We are having a remarkable spell of dry warm weather at the moment, misty mornings clearing to blue skies with the occasional overcast day still making above 17°. Here are a few subjects which are still going well before we get the inevitable thunderstorm, or at the very least heavy rain, to disturb the peace and tranquillity.

**Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’**

Where would we be without rudbeckias for autumn colour?

Another traditional autumn flowering plant. I was going to give it the chop this year but left it too late however the stems have stayed strong and not flopped as has happened before. Note the solitary insect, Joe Pye next to it is covered in bees and several butterflies, obviously the High Table!

‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ has been with me for years, it was the only rose that survived in my old shaded garden. It climbed up a cast iron railing that supported the handrail for the steps up to the backdoor and as such did get some sun and wasn’t in the shade like much of the garden. This allowed it to only be slightly affected by the plethora of fungal diseases that put an end to any attempt to grow roses, or even photinias, anywhere else.

Geranium ‘Patricia’ one of my favourites, note the G. pyrenaicum intertwining itself.

I allow Geranium pyrenaicum to seed itself as it will, the hedgerow geranium, now found growing wild in the UK is such a dainty little thing and any unwanted seedlings are soon pulled up. I did have the white form, but it has absented itself.

I make no excuses for including Joe Pye Weed again this week, its only there to show off the peacock!

All for this week, fingers crossed for next week! This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found at Garden Ruminations where he is chewing things over.

Tag: peacock

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