Blooming June

It finally feels like summer in the garden. Things are still behind by about a fortnight but gradually things are catching up.

A tremendous storm on Saturday afternoon replenished the water butt and rinsed a few aphids from the roses.

The bearded irises have been terrific this year, surprising as the rhizomes are supposed to bake in sun for the preceding summer, and sun was practically non-existent last year if I remember rightly.

Iris 'Deep Black' above, is very tall, and has withstood the strong winds of the past week or so with no staking.

Iris 'Foggy Dew' is slightly shorter and this is the first time I have seen it in flower.

The gorgeous sky blue tones of Iris pallida have been clashing with with the blowsy flowers of the oriental poppy, 'Pattie's Plum'

This is a gorgeous strong growing poppy but it is difficult to place in the garden as it clashes with just about everything, although it does look rather good beside the clump of Nectaroscordums (Allium bulgaricum).

The quote below is rather apt, I think. I always try to notice every thing as it bursts into flower but in June it's very difficult.

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day.  No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them."  
-  Aldo Leopold

Spring garden- aquilegias

(Pictured above is Semi-aquilegia 'Little Lanterns')
I love this time of year but I can't seem to keep up with the weeds in the garden. Even though we have a drought here in the east of england the weeds still manage to grow lush and green. One genus of plants that don't seem to mind being on the dry side are aquilegias (aka grannnies bonnets) The deep dark double one above was a chance seedling that appeared in my garden. I love its dark dusky perfection.

Aquilegias are easily grown from seed but it helps if the seed is as fresh as it can be and germination is sporadic. At the moment I am trying Aquilegia 'Green Apples' and a few seedlings are up so hopefully next year I'll have a new variety to admire. I have just the place for them too, in my shady corner where I have ferns and saxifragas.

The bicoloured aquilegia in the photo above is 'William Guiness' or 'Magpie', not sure if it has aphids or a spiders web on it, looks a little dusty, but I don't use any chemicals in my garden so everything has to take its chance. works quite well most of the time.