I last did a post about the white flowers in my garden in 2018 when I had created my white bed. Things have moved on since then, but during this final week of Wimbledon I decided to have a look around the garden to see what whites were in flower.
Common Yarrow / Achillea millefolium – is often classed as a weed when growing in a lawn, but mine trails down from the low stone wall in my gravel garden. I have tried to get rid of it at times, but it always comes back so I have learned to love it. It is actually a herb so in all rights should belong in my herb bed, but I think I shall leave it where it is.
Another herb which is actually growing in the herb bed is Feverfew / Tanacetum parthenium. I do seem to have a lot of daisy type flowers! Its name comes from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning “fever reducer.” Traditionally, feverfew was used to treat fevers and other inflammatory conditions.
In the other raised bed I have two types of Japanese anemones, which seem to be on steroids this year – so far only this one has begun to flower, J. anemone ‘Wild Swan’ a graceful flower with pure white petals with a grey-blue streak along the reverse. So they look lovely in bud or from the back. This one does seem to prefer a more shady location and I might move it to the dappled shade bed once it has finished flowering this year.
A plant that I tend to buy for my patio every year is the annual Cosmos. I have tried several types (and there are many), but usually return to Cosmos ‘Apollo White‘ as it does well in containers and doesn’t grow too tall – 65cm. Last year was a disaster for my cosmos, so I am glad to see them flowering better this. Having purchased them as large plug plants I potted them on inside the conservatory until they were large enough to withstand the onslaught of the S&S.
I don’t grow many roses, but this one I inherited. I have no idea what it is, but there are two that climb up my fence. This one was cut hard last year and I am trying to train it along wires to achieve more flowers. It seems to have worked. The other one has grown too high again so will have a hard prune in the winter.
Last year I sowed a packet of wildflowers in bare patch of soil next to my patio. A lot of the cheerful orange Californian poppies appeared along with a few pale ones which I think are ‘Ivory Castle’. Only one orange one has returned in this location, but quite a few of these paler forms which scramble around quite daintily. They start off much more creamy-yellow before fading to off-white.
As always, if you want a peek over other people’s garden walls then please pop over to our host, the lovely Jon, AKA ‘The Propagator’ where you find links to many more wonderful garden enthusiasts from all over the world.
See here for the participant’s guide.
Cornwall in Colours 
A very pretty selection of whites. I grew CA poppies from seed – all orange, I thought, but one came up ivory. Feverfew is one of my new favorites – interesting to hear about the history of its use.
The old-fashioned Shasta daisy used to be prolific in my garden, but through the decades all the bushes have died out. The newer varieties are not as hardy, so the only whites are the tall, bushy fleeceflowers against the back fence, behind the roses.
I always enjoy looking over your garden wall, Jude.
Beautiful whites! They always seem to have a freshness and suggestion of coolness that is very welcome in hot summer weather. The white cosmos is very pretty – great to know that ‘Apollo White’ doesn’t get as tall as some of the others. And I love the creamy California poppies. They look much more delicate and (to me) prettier than the more usual orange.
Such a lovely collection of white flowers.
White is lovely in the garden especially at dusk. Unfortunately, nearly all my white and light coloured flowers are down one side of the garden and the pink, red, purple and burgundy ones the other side. I’m sure I didn’t plan it that way!
I agree that cosmos varieties are often too tall for pots or even some borders – not such an issue in my cutting beds, especially now I net them. Sadly, most of mine are for some reason way way behind in growth and flowering – no idea why, but guess it could be the cooler spring. Curiously, one variety is flowering normally! Glad to see your rose pruning and training has paid off – will this one flower all summer? Thanks for sharing your whites
I loved the Cosmos Psyche which I grew in my white bed, but it was too tall for such a windy garden. Purity is another, though it did well in the middle of a bed with other plants to support it.
What a lovely selection Jude! I love seeing whit flowers in the garden, although I don’t really have that many at the moment. I do like the ivory Californian Poppy!
A pretty selection of whits Jude! I always love plants that can be used medicinally such as Feverfew 🙂
Whites – sorry typo!