This flower arrangement, picked from our garden somehow encapsulates the place. We had Daniela Coray staying, who used to be a florist, hence the arrangement.
The wild garden is at its best now, in fact just going over – a brief moment of glory, like so many real wildflower spectacles. Iris sibirica seems to have flowered for an even shorter period this year than ever. Aquilegias still going strong.
Thalictrum aquilegifolium taking off, a few seedlings, I hope this very useful early summer flowers will spread. They have height which little else at this time does.
Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’. I’m not a great fan of red foliage, but it makes a great focal point for a picture. Geranium x monacense (right) picks up the colour.
A lot of the garden in general, and the wild garden in particular, is very diffuse, very difficult to capture on film. Densely intertwined Geranium, Aquilegia and wild cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)> big leaves are Telekia speciosa.
I like this giant buttercup for the way it links with the more natural environment beyond, Ranunculus acris ‘Stevenii’. A very good garden plant, surprised it’s not better known.
Hesperis matronalis – the dame’s violet is at last naturalising – a biennial, a giant stock really, fantastic scent. And i’m pleased we have all shades between mauve/purple and almost-white. I remember seeing this naturalised at Great Dixter a very long time ago and always wanted to achieve the effect.
Latest posts by Noel Kingsbury (see all)
- Dutch Travels - September 15, 2015
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