First are the agapanthus commonly known as African Lilies. These hail from South Africa and are sneered at a bit by friends from the Southern hemisphere. They dismiss them as "weeds". How could they? The flowers are made up of such wonderful trumpets in varying shades of blue and in some cases white. Some are more hardy than others and therefore have to be kept in pots for a quick get-away into the greenhouse when the weather changes.
They are at varying stages coming into flower from bursting bud to full blown bloom.
Next comes the Achillea (common name Yarrow). This variety is called "Rose Madder" . it's a compact achillea that spreads gently in a very civilized way. The tiny flowers form flat heads over ferny foliage. It lights up what is becoming an increasingly shady corner. I may have to move it as it starts to strain towards the sunlight.
And last but not least is Crocosmia "Lucifer" You can't really miss the gorgeous clear paprika red against the strappy green foliage. Even before the buds open you know that it's going to zing with colour. By a happy coincidence (there was a space - no pre-planned planting combination there) it's been planted next to Buddleia Davidii "Black Knight" and each colour enhances the other. Black Knight is still to come into full bloom.
I can't resist adding two pictures of echinacea buds. As yet there are no flowers..... a treat in store.
WOW! Lovely color!
ReplyDeleteOh...they are gorgeous....I have just taken some very similar photos of the one's in my garden just about to burst out....The suspense is killing me :-)
ReplyDeleteI know I can't quite believe the colour! It's a bit of a shock after everything being a bit subtle up until now.It'a all been building up to this great crescendo...
ReplyDeleteI adore agapanthus, though we don't currently have any. I love the sound of 'Black Knight' alongside that deep blue. Am fascinated that my echinacea are in full bloom but my 'Lucifer' has only one flower open. All those hundreds of miles between our gardens and the differences in bloom times are not what I would have expected!
ReplyDeleteI was a but surprised that your Lucifer wasn't out, janet. We feel a but behind here for usual....
ReplyDeleteThe echinacea buds look a little like sunflowers. I planted echinacea for the first time but don't have buds yet. And I love the first few pictures. The one of the buds bursting out is really cool. I wish the weeds in my garden looked like those African Lilies!
ReplyDeleteBuds are so beautiful, showing promise of all the wonderful flowers that will follow, the build up to flowering extends the pleasure we get from all our blooms.
ReplyDeleteIt's that thing about having to see the world, before you learn to value your own treasures. I remember huge tubs of Agapanthus outside the library in Switzerland. My South African heart ached to see vandals had whupped off some flowerheads!
ReplyDeleteI once read a Scandinavian novel about a blue African lily - then suddenly realised - oh - Agapanthus ;~))
I've just watched Gardner's World at The Tatton Flower show and there were three new agapanthus all white but with a flush of pink or blue. Covet, covet!
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