Things have started to flower in the sunny side of the garden and I am already beginning to think that the geraniums will have to be divided.
- Hardy Geranium #1
- Hardy Geranium #2
- Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana (Sicilian chamomile)
This grows in both sun and shade and creeps nicely over the low granite stone walls. Easily propagated, I just pull a piece off and stick it in the soil where I want it to grow. Silvery-grey cut scented leaves beneath a sea of white daisies that last from May to August.
- Gladiolus communis byzantinus or Whistling Jacks (SW England)
This is the only plant that I have introduced to the garden in today’s selection. They are a lovely luminous magenta pink colour. They are sterile plants so I am hoping they will bulk up a bit if they are happy in their locations. I planted about 20 corms, but only half a dozen so far have flowered. So I might have to dig some up and reposition them.
- Some sort of Lamium (Dead nettle) I think. This has self-seeded throughout the garden this year and seems to spread via runners. The leaves are very soft and furry and the purple lipped flowers attract the bees. It is quite a tall plant. I know someone is going to tell me I should remove these immediately!
Edit: Kathy kindly told me this is Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica ) which grows in habitats such as verges, hedge banks, woodland rides and river banks. This is in full sun! It apparently likes being chilled to break dormancy so I wonder if our cold spell is the reason for so much of it in the garden this year.
- Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag, yellow iris, water flag)
This clump grows next to the patio and I wonder if there once was a pond here. Late to begin flowering this year, they are now coming on strong.
So much happening in the garden at the moment and I really need to finish off the gravel area and edge what’s left of the lawn. And then maybe I will get a chance to actually sit in the garden and read a book…
See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
Hi Jude, I have consulted my hardy geranium book. Possible candidates: G. oxonianum ‘Old Rose’; ‘Lutzie’; ‘Elworthy Misty’. Totally gorgeous. The purple one looks like G. magnificum.
Ah, thank you Ali. I have another blue one next week, just opened.
I love that common name for the Gladiolus communis. I’ve never heard it before,
Very pretty, Jude. I didn’t know chamomile flowered so nicely.
This is not the very small one, that you can use as a lawn, I think that is Roman chamomile and people usually keep that short so it doesn’t flower so much. There are also German and Russian types too!
I didn’t know there were so many varieties.
Looks great. Now tempted to get a Sicilian chamomile – a long flowering and easily propagated plant is always a bonus. May also ponder getting some gladioli.
…and the S&S leave it alone which is an added bonus!
Jude, your beautiful garden is enough to make me week and gnash my teeth over my corresponding ineptitude! Thank goodness others nearby have created beauty they allow me to visit. I try to remember I have other skills but gardening is not among them! Beautiful!!!
Thanks Tina. It wouldn’t so for us all to be the same.
making a note to get the chamomile. wondering if I should control the lamium??
Or not lamium in my case! I have thinned it out some, but it is covered in bees so as long as I can control it, no harm done. Most is in a single raised-bed which is temporary anyway.