Just one bloom from me today - one that is new to my garden this June - astrantia 'Gill Richardson'. Gill fell into my hands last year but languished in the cold frame for some months until I had the right spot for her. She is now resident in the new gabion border. Apart from a rather alarming wilt during the warm start we had to the month she seems to be settling in well. A couple of other red astrantias grow in the garden, namely 'Ruby Wedding' and 'Hadspen Blood'. They have always seemed less sturdy than their more pastel relatives but no so 'Gill Richardson'. In terms of sheer vigour and flower power it looks on first acquaintance that 'Gill' is going to be a star. I don't know much about Gill other than that she is a fairly recent introduction and was named after a Lincolnshire plantswoman so I'm interested in finding out more about her. I have a feeling that in a more 'normal' year weatherwise that she would have come into her stride sooner but will have to wait and see.
Have you got any new to you flowers blooming for the first time in your garden this June? Do go and visit 'May Dreams Gardens' to discover other entrancing June flowers.
What a beauty! The colour is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAh Anna, I’m hoping I’ve got Gill in my garden too – it is a stunner! I have taken so many photos as the light goes through the blooms. I bought two from a nursery at our Scottish Gardening Show last year at the end of show plant sale. They came from the display sold as Gill Richardson but when I planted them I found, deep in the pots, labels for Ruby Wedding. As the plants were pretty I was fairly ok with that. I did plan contacting the nursery by email sending photos to ask what I had and suggesting that I thought I had two different plants and what did they thought.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been my imagination but this year I am sure they are different plants by the way they have grown in the garden. I will email them soon now. Stunners though, I absolutely love them especially with the orange flowers of a low growing geum around it and with milk chocalte foxgloves coming up next… I am loving my garden borders this year. Enjoy yours (and Gill of course). Happy GBBD :-D
What a beauty, the colour is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThat is one beautiful flower, she really humms! With the light coming through the petals, it is almost like a stained glass window - beautiful
ReplyDeleteLovely, just lovely! That looks like something I'd like to try.
ReplyDeleteDear Anna, didn't know this one up to now but then, aren't you spoilt when it comes to plants in the UK ;) ...I envy you a little, little when I think of the Plant Finder, have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dark rich colour Anna. It's one I'll certainly look out for as they love my damp clay soil. A new plant this year in my garden is Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' as I bought it as much for its spiny foliage as well as its thistle like flowers.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a stunning color--I'm glad 'Gill' is doing well for you. Astrantia is something I've never grown before--I will definitely have to check it out and see if it's hardy in my zone. Happy Bloom Day, Anna!
ReplyDeleteI am a sucker for astrantia and that is a real beauty. I will be looking out for it!
ReplyDeleteI do love Astrantias - I have a pale pink one but this strong red is very pretty too. I've got a new peony about to bloom, but it's still very small - can't wait to see it open!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe newest bloom in my garden for June Bloom Day is gladiolus.
Have a wonderful week!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie
It's an interesting observation about the red and more pastel astrantias, Anna - I suppose I just thought my redder ones hadn't bulked up yet, but perhaps they never will, whereas the paler ones make great chunky clumps. I must look out for Gill too.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit in love with Astrantias this year, Anna. I saw lots at Chelsea and now keep seeing them in people's gardens. I'm trying to introduce more flowers to the gardens here, both in the veg garden and a small shaded border that was badly neglected. My favourite this year though has to be the aquilegias that my sister sent last year - so pretty! And a Polemonium has finally romped away to 3 feet tall and covered with purple flowers - just gorgeous. Hmm, maybe I should do a flowers post ... :) !
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