July is the month when the garden becomes alive with colour as the early summer displays develop. Roses are everywhere and are especially spectacular where they are growing up through the trees.
The woodland edge planting (1) is easing into its second flowering cycle with the fresh pink spikes of Sidalcea intermingled with the tall grass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ . In front of this is the weighty presence and red spikes of Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Firetail’. The tall slender thistle-like plant is a teasel which is a biennial which self-sows widely.
Going through the Garden Gate and turning right, on the left is:
The Calendar Bed (2)
This fairly new naturalistic planting and its more established neighbour across the path are loosely inspired by the steppe areas of dry grassland. The dark blue spires are Salvia ‘Caradonna’ and the pale soft blue spike is Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ – both of which are very long-lasting plants. Quite unlike other nepetas is the taller, upright pinkish white spike of Nepeta ‘Dawn till Dusk’. The small rounded button flowers are knautias.
Behind the long hedge of Prunus cerisifiera is the main vegetable production area for the house, which means that our wonderful vegetable potager can remain unscathed. We have just planted a double tropical border to lift the vegetable area during the summer. It is an exotic mix of dahlias, crocosmia, kniphofia, heleniums and grasses and it is hoped the range of hot colours will contrast well with the purple hedge.
Steppe Planting (3)
This early summer planting is dominated by the stately pink spires of Phlomis tuberosa ‘Amazone’ and the white balls of Echinops sphaerocephalus ‘Arctic Glow’. In the foreground is the curious and long flowering French lavender, Lavandula stoechas ssp pedunculata, looking almost like small shuttlecocks. The yellows at the back are Achillea filipendulina and the pale yellow spike of Verbascum ‘Gainsborough’.
The Annuals (4)
These colour-themed annual plantings were finished last month and we are now looking forward to seeing how they will turn out. We plan a different display each year, enjoying the creativity and opportunity to try out new ideas. The white daisy is Argyranthemum foeniculum, the purple-headed plant Verbena bonariensis (which grows on rubbish tips and waste ground in Brazil) and the larger red spike with purple leaves is Amaranthus.
Traditional Border (5)
This traditional planting brings in some more familiar classic perennials such as Delphinium elatum, sidalcea, anemone and echinops. The thistle-like flower at the front of the border is the biennial Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost, which self sows, often coming up in unexpected places and this year combining with sedum.
The Moist Area (6)
This leafy jungle of a planting is getting a little overgrown and is due for redevelopment but it is still fun. Here foliage predominates with a wide range of moisture loving plants enjoying the space. Rodgersias, the large round leaves of Podophyllum hexandrum, hostas and the pink and white plumes of astilbe create a vigorous community. Look out also for the massive leaves of Gunnera manicata from Chile, which has the largest leaves of any plant grown in the temperate regions of the world.
Cut Flower Area (7)
The interesting white flower with linear leaves is Libertia grandiflora, here interplanted with Eryngium Alpinum ‘Superbum’, the white daisy is Anthemis Tinctoria ‘Alba’ and the tall plant with round red thistle flowers is Cirscium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’. The lovely graceful tall grass with dangling seedheads is Stipa gigantean and the lower grasses are the arching Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ and the fine Stipa tenuissima. The tall dominant flower with yellow balls down its spikey flower stem is Phlomis russeliana.
Woodland Border (8)
This month this border is dominated by the strong leaves and flowers of Rodgersia but notice also the more subtle twisted stems and white flowers of the choice Anemonella macrophylla and the reddish stems and delicate white flowers of Gillenia trifoliata.
The Mixed Border (9)
This new border has been designed by Elliott and Andy. The shrubs were moved in March and we started planting it late April, finishing early this month. We have tried to incorporate some traditional plants together with prairie perennials and grasses to give it a modern twist.
Early Flowering Area (10)
These diffused plantings are very long lasting and a good model for those of us with limited space. The purple foliage bouncing through is Aster laterifolius ‘Lady in Red’, the dark blue salvia spikes are ‘Cardonna’, the slightly lighter and softer spikes are Salvia verticillata and the strong wiry spikes are Salvia transylvanica.
Naturalistic Potager (11)
The potager is now starting to fill out, reaching its peak August to October. We have tried a new approach this year, planting in large linear drifts rather than our usual naturalistic vegetable meadow like effects.
Potager Entrance Beds (12)
The giant white Crambe cordifolia is just finishing its dazzling display, Sanguisorbas with their airy red or white flowers combine with Veronica longifolia (sharp blue spikes) and Achillea ‘Walter Funk’ provides orange to add a bit of heat.
Tall Grass Prairie (13)
Eryngium x zabelii ‘Forncett Ultra’ is the striking metallic blue thistle, Veronicastrum virginicum roseum provides the tall pink spikes which contrast with the ball like flowers of Echinops. Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ is foamy pink in among Lythrum virgatum. These borders will gain momentum from now onwards.
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