We wished for it and our hopes were answered. You can, however, have too much of a good thing. Enough rain now. Please. Have a nosey at our SoS leader’s site, Jim at Garden Ruminations, to find out if anyone else is acting like a spoilt brat. Shall we mosey on?
This delicate umbellifer, Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’, is flowering in spite of being squished and elbowed by its neighbours. Never forming the beautiful patch of joy that I envisaged, it would be harsh to complain. This is user problem rather than plant failure.
The fabulous Aquilegia canadensis was grown from seed last year. It is still in a pot, indecision has thwarted me, but that is the story of my, and by association, my plants’ lives.
At this time of year I spend a lot of time peering at the ground wondering if or when something will emerge. I am not very good at remembering when one plant or the other is due to start up. This Rogersia ‘Heavenly Gill’ has arrived. Whether it is early or late, I couldn’t tell you.
A couple of weeks ago, I went shopping with Professor Gadget. It was the best kind of shopping. Although, ostensibly, we were buying plants for His Professorship’s garden, I couldn’t resist this little Rhododendron ‘Ginny Gee’. My dad called me Ginny. He was the best. No one could blame me.
Anemone coronaria ‘Bordeaux’ was a gift from my fabulous friend Mrs Swotty. Last weekend we spent a wonderful few days Chez Swot, and, along with Mr S. they didn’t disappoint in their ability to be skilled at everything, to the point of slight irritation. Luckily, my big love for them negates any small annoyance.
Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset is marvelous, to me, for many reasons. It is a place I visited during my first incarnation as a gardener, when I was fresh-souled and wide-eyed and full of wonder at all things. It was here I first saw Uvalaria grandiflora, flowering on the steep banks, between follies, headed towards the waterfall. I was smitten. I still am, even though on a much smaller scale. Which is plenty.
That is your lot. Another six, another Saturday. Let’s hope there are many more to come.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I was just looking at my rodgersia, planted in the ground, yesterday and it still hasn’t shown any signs of life after winter. Is yours early or did mine get too cold?
I’ll have to look in my archive photos to see when it appeared last year.
Very pretty aquilegia covered in droplets that we haven’t had much of yet but should arrive during the weekend and next week. Happy Easter weekend !
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And your geum is in front of mine, it is all a mystery! Have fun Fred.
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Is ‘Heavenly Gill’ an official name? If so I am not surprised you have it, in the same way you were drawn to that lovely Rhododendron. If not, then I can’t think of a better name. Nice aquilegia!
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A woman who had the national collection of rodgersias gave it to me, not an official name, just what she had called it. I’m happy with that! Might need a divide soon ……
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I do like that Aquilegia, very pretty, mine are just opening now too.
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It is a little darling, really easy from seed, whether I can keep it is another story!
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Columbine is splendid! I just noticed ours, which self sowed a few years ago. It does not grow where we plant it, so we let it do what it wants to where it wants to, like a kitty. It would be nice if it self sowed more. All species that we try mildew. Even native species are not happy here. ‘Ginny Gee’ also looks happier than I ever see it here. We grew it on the farm only because clients wanted it, but for us, it did not perform well.
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Contrary columbine, I like the sound of that!
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It sounds like a cartoon character, so yeah.
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All perfect bundles of joy! Thank you for sharing.
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Ah, the hazards of comparing gardens. My Uvularia, no sign at all; Chaerophyllum, one leaf, growing smaller every year; Rodgersia, shoots above ground but no leaves open yet; Rhodo Ginny Gee, a distant memory in a corner of a bed where nothing has thrived since. Just as well there are successes to offset the failures.
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You have treasures in abundance!
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What lovely blossom on the header photo! I miss my Crab Apple – we removed it after the January Storm. Yesterday I was told “Gran, you need to put a tree in here. One with pink flowers”. OK that sounds like someone, aged 6 yrs, has noticed it’s missing! I think the very best reason to buy a plant (especially when it’s as pretty as Rhododendron ‘Ginny Gee’) is when it has a special memory attached. I like your Aquilegia canadensis, it’s not one I’m familiar with, but what an amazing colour.
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I’m afraid you have no choice now, a new crab apple it must be!
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Lovely six, and I can see why you couldn’t resist that Rhododendron. I totally understand your thoughts about too much rain vs. too little. Personally, long droughts (months long) have been the toughest for me, but I’m sure heavy rain and floods would be much worse if I lived in a low-lying area. Being on the side of a hill helps. But “just right,” on and off rain, is the best–for the plants, the people, and all the other creatures. 🙂
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Yes, droughts are very hard but is something we rarely see in these parts. Dry spring and wet everything else. Just right is just right and you are quite right, there are others to consider.
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Yes, I agree, too much rain now! I like your Aquilegia, lovely colour combination and wish the Uvularia would like to live in my woodland, I’ve tried a few times but every time it dies on me!
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They say (not sure who “they” are) that you should try something three times before you give up. It seems happy here at the moment, but I am far from complacent!
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Hmm, I missed the Uvalaria grandiflora when I visited Hestercombe recently. If I head to Hestercombe to see the bluebells before the month is through I’ll have to remember to take a look. Yours is lovely. The new leaf of Rogersia ‘Heavenly Gill’ is a beauty.
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It is many years since I visited Hestercombe, it was a great favourite. Give it my love, pop into the shop for me.
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If I can find the shop – they seem to have moved it every time we visit!
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I love the last one, Uvalaria. Have you seen Ylang Ylang trees? the flowers remind me of those. Ginny Gee is adorable.
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Aquilegia canadensis is my favorite. As kids, we would bite off the little buds on the blooms that contain nectar.
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Yes, we certainly got the rain here too and now everything looks refreshed again. Ginny Gee is lovely and I hope she does well. Hestercombe is also a favourite of mine, we first visited in 1997 when it was still the fire brigade headquarters or something similar.
Have a very Happy Easter and wishing you lots of sunshine, x
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I’m surprised we haven’t been to Hestercombe together. It feels that we should. And yes, the firemen were an added bonus. 😀 Hope all good with you all x
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I love Rhododendrons and the Ginny Gee is so delicate. I wish I could grow them here.
The umbellifer you pictured. I think one of these have appeared in my garden. I thought it was just a pretty weed. Now I wonder. Maybe I will included in next weeks six to compare.
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You can share mine.
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Yes, a virtual rhodi share.
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An interesting six, none of which live in my garden although I do have some aquilegia beginning to flower. And I am relieved to see my ‘Alex’ crab apple is flowering for its second year.
Uvalaria grandiflora is rather lovely, but I suspect the S&S will like it too.
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So far no damage on the uvularia, keeping everything 🤞
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Sounds such a rude name 🤭
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😂 I thought so too, trust you to point it out!
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🙄
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