June is when planting begins in earnest. Much of the preparation and planting of the vegetable production area is already complete and the gardeners are now busy planting. It is an exciting time for them as they see their plans take shape in the ground, using string grids as a measuring aid and to relate to the grids on their planting plans.
The area opposite the potting shed in the woodland edge planting (1) is in its first wave of flowering with Iris Siberica creating a rhythm with its lovely detailed dark blue flowers and its linear leaves alongside the pale cream plumes of Aruncus diocius, Goat’s Beard, and the pink bottlebrushes of Persicaria bistorta growing through loose groupings of aquilegia and geranium.
The Calendar Bed (2)
This steppe planting is fairly new and still filling out. The bulbs running throughout are Allium Purple Sensation and the small white daisy is Celmisia. The fern foliage of Thalictrum aquilegifolium combines well with its purple frothy flowers. The pink geranium-type plants at the front are Erodium.
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 is a more mature version of the calendar border. This heavily diffused border style is easily adapted to smaller gardens offering a long flowering season (June to October).
The Annuals (4)
The annuals have been partially planted with perennial grasses and tender perennials. Annuals will be added this month. This year’s annual plantings are designed by Elliott, Andy and this year’s student, James Sharpe.
Traditional Border (5)
This border is a modern reworking of a traditional flower border incorporating some traditional cottage garden flowers such as delphiniums, penstemon and geraniums with a backdrop of climbing roses. We will continue to adjust it this month.
In the Moist Area (6) behind the impressive block of Portuguese laurel hedging, you will discover bamboo provides rhythm as the path snakes around. Generous drifts of hosta combine with the red flowers of Rogersia pinnata ‘superba’ and the scene is punctuated with the sword-like leaves and deep blue flowers of Iris Siberica. The massive rhubarb-like leaves of Gunnera manicata from Chile are among the largest leaves found in the plant kingdom and angelica provides dramatic focal points as it selfseeds informally.
Cut Flower Area (7)
The first wave of flowering is predominantly red and yellow with the red spangle flowes of Heuchera ‘Firefly’ and red balls of Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ contrasting with the sharp yellow of Sanguisorba menziesii, Alchemilla mollis and Luzula nivea. These are interspersed with the white of the foamy Thalictrum aquilegifolia ‘Album’ and Asphodelus albus.
Woodland Border (8)
The woodland grass Luzula nivea lightens up the border this month. Large burnished leaves of Rodgersia combine with the elegant Polygonatum biflorum with its clusters of hanging white flowers.
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)
The purple foliage of Aster laterifolus ‘Lady in Black’ is repeated throughout to bind these borders together. The small white flowers of Libertia ixiodes sway above its linear leaves and the small red flowers are Astrantia major ‘Claret’. These borders are at their peak between June and August.
Naturalistic Potager (11)
An interesting month for the gardeners as they plant up the potager where they are experimenting this year with larger sinuous drifts rather than the diffused style they usually favour.
Potager Entrance Beds (12)
Providing a link between the nearby herbaceous plantings and the naturalistic potager behind, these borders are dominated by the white foamy flowers of Crambe cordiflora and enlivened by astrantias, Sanguisorba and salvias.
|