I had thought in the end of May View, that the slope wouldn’t change very much so I would have to choose another area of the garden; I was wrong, Wild Verbascums blown into the garden from the surrounding fields have changed the way it looks altogether.
Another aspect I hadn’t taken into account was that plants I don’t count as being on the slope really, above the line of the Holm Oak bushes, have grown to such an extent that they have become the background to the slope – this is especially true of the large orange Knifophia, truly Red Hot Pokers!
From the top of the slope looking along towards the drive
In the foreground of the above image you can just see a Salvia Turkestanica which seeded from the huge one I had 2 years ago (I’m relieved this one is not so large as they are so awful to remove because of the ghastly smell –I noticed before it doesn’t start to smell until it has flowers, weird!
Looking up the slope with the amazing Solanum jasminoides that flowers for ever
From midway up the drive looking down
There is Perovskia in this border too!
Other things I’d quickly like to share with you: the blue of the Perovskia!
If you would like to read more about what’s happening in other gardens all over the world visit Helen at The Patient Gardener. Once again a big thank you to Helen for hosting this meme for us.
From next month I’m thinking of writing about the progress of individual beds. Listing all the plants they contain and highlighting changes I’ve made and why (if there is a reason). If I do this I’ll begin with the Small Island, just because I’m so pleased with the way it looks this year
Part of the Small Island
This morning I harvested all the garlic and the white onions that had bent over (on their own, I don’t believe you should bend them forcefully)
Just over half of the white onions
You may have noticed fennel growing by the edge of the drive, I harvest the flowers, dry them put them into jars and use this intensely flavoured condiment when cooking roast potatoes, sausage risotto or Porcini (ceps).
Fennel, picked this morning
Picked last week, dried and awaiting the tedious job of piutting just the yellow flowers into a jar. Worth its weight in gold
As I walking past the lavender I saw this strange looking bug, I don’t know what it is or if it does any damage, it was alone so I doubt it will do much damage anyway.
Any ideas as to what it is?
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Christina.
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Your Perovskia is looking fantastic, mine won’t start flowering for a while yet. I must be strange, I rather like the smell of Salvia turkestanica !!!
This year they are even earlier than usual. I think I might have to agree you are strange (not knowing you of course) but did you know the common name of Salvia Turkestanica is “Housemaid’s armpits” and I think the name is very apt! Christina
Your end of the month views are lovely!
Thank you Sweetbay. Christina
Love the view of the hillside with the grass and the Solanum in bloom. And the verbena b. in your planting, also.
My Russian sage is still a month coming.
Wonderful review!
Thanks,
Julie
The solanum flowers from May until Christmas, and it grows very easily from cuttings.
No idea about the bug but it does make a pleasing contrast to the lavender. I have one of those Salvia Turkestanica on the slope. I grew some a couple of years back without realising how big they got and then someone told me they had an unpleasant smell. To be honest I only noticed the smell if I actually had a good sniff. Since then seedlings appear on a regular basis and I weed them out if they are in the wrong place.
Harvesting my garlic this weekend.
Thanks for joining in the end of month meme again
As I said the smell od the Salvia is only present once it flowers; then it gets stronger and stronger to hte point where you can smell it hanging in the hot air from yards away. Christina
I love the shapes the wild verbascum make in your slope planting. The sight of all those flowers almost makes me wish I liked fennel. Although thinking about it, I do now use the seeds a lot in Indian cookery, so maybe I should start growing some myself, it is a wonderful plant. Magnificent bug, jewel-like.
The dried flowers of fennel don’t taste exactly like the fresh vegetable, more intense and, yes, I’d say something you could add to a curry but also giving a warm ‘something’ to the dishes I described. The plant itself is very stately, I also have some bronze fennel in a couple of places. Christina
Your views are lovely, Christina! I especially like the swath of Russian Sage–I just love the airy look of those lavender blooms. I plant fennel every year, but I’ve never harvested any. Mine is for the swallowtail caterpillars, and I let them munch to their hearts’ desire.
Don’t worry I leave enouth for the Swallowtails, there are lots of them in my garden, at least three different varieties. Christina
Hi Christina – myt favourite view is the one where you are looking up the slope with the Solanum jasminoides on the right. What are the grasses in that photo? They are beautiful.
Hi Christine, thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. The grasses are Stipa tenuissima; I wrote a post all about them last year, you can find it by searching for https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/my-thoughts-stipa-tenuissima/
They prefer full sun so may not thrive for you. Christina
lovely views and stunning garden. What a great achievement in so short a time. ken
Thank you, Kenneth, I am happy with the way it is looking now. Christina
HI Christina: Good post Nice Blog. I am sure I have been here before but can’t remember. They say the remembering thing is a part of old age, guess I qualify.
Have a wonderful day,
John
Hi John, yes you visited before and left very positive comments then too, thank you. Christina
Hello again, Christina! Oh…. I do love the views of your garden right now 😀
I’m guessing it is becoming the vision you intended despite the invading Wild Verbascums which have arrived. I especially love the look of them with their spires next to your flowing grasses. I’m also a fan of the purple/blues of the Perovskia and I’d guess bees may be fans too. Enjoy your garden 😀
Hi, yes on all counts. When I walk out into the formal garden now it isn’t the colour that captures me first but the deafening hum of the bees. Many different kinds throughout the day. Thank you for your encouraging comments. Christina
I have never seen a bug like that! It looks quite royal and dangerous. Your garden seems to be beautiful in all months. The views are stunning.I love the sweep of your russian sage.
Thank you.
I also love the image looking up the slope. The Solanum jasminoides is stunning! As for the bug on the lavender, I can’t help either, I’m afraid. But the fact that there wasn’t a swarm of them is encouraging!
Looking up the slope is what you see when you drive in so I’m glad you like it. Christina