A visit to the allotment this weekend yielded treasures including the first flowerings of sweet peas, anemones and cornflowers. There were not enough sweet peas to cut for a vase but I was able to pick a couple of anemone coronaria 'Sylphide' and a couple of cornflower 'Black Ball' blooms for today's vase.
It is thanks to Sarah over at 'Homeslip' that I planted corms of 'Sylphide' earlier this spring. I had been smitten since seeing them on her blog. I'm not sure why I have never planted anemone coronaria before and feel that I've been missing out out for years. Working out which way to plant the somewhat wrinkled claw shaped corms was most intriguing. I started them off in pots on the heated sand bench in the greenhouse sometime in March. They were then hardened off before being planting out in a raised bed at the allotment where I grow sweet peas and other flowers. That planting out took place about three weeks ago yet the flowers took me by surprise. They seemed to just suddenly appear out of nowhere. In another raised bed anemone coronaria 'The Bride' is showing colour and hopefully the blue 'Mr Fokker' will follow soon. I'm delighted with 'Sylphide' so many thanks for the introduction Sarah.
The cornflowers were sown on 17th March with 'Black Ball' opening ahead of 'Blue Ball' although the latter are showing colour. Also in the vase are some stems of briza maxima which were foraged from the allotment site. They grow in profusion in front of the community hut. I've sown and planted some at home too but they are not as advanced. I'm not sure whether this is a wise move seeing how prolifically they self seed ..... time will tell.
Joining the allotment pickings are a single stem of rosa' Burgundy Ice', some astrantia 'Gill Richardson' and astrantia 'Hadspen Blood'. 'Gill Richardson' is my favourite deep red astrantia producing large and sturdy flowers.
Also in the vase some fluffy pink persicaria bistorta 'Superba', which left just enough room to slip in stems of the shrub physocarpus opulifolius, variety uncertain but probably 'Diablo'. The plan is to fish the latter out later to try and strike cuttings.
I was also delighted to come home with the first strawberries of the season but they didn't last long enough to be included in any photos.
Although I have acquired a record three new 'vases' in the last week, I'm using an old favourite given to me by my mother after a cupboard clearing session. The new additions came about from a visit to Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria. They include what must be a candidate for the world's heaviest empty teapot. No doubt you will meet them all soon.
I see that our hostess Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' is feeling rosy today. Do pay her a visit.
Your anemones are lovely and really star in the arrangement. I've found them difficult to grow but worth the effort. Those Astrantia do have great color.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Susie. The anemones are most definitely the stars of the show :) I think it must be down to their hit you in the eyes colour.
DeleteI also planted these anemones after seeing them on Sarah's blog! I'm waiting for them to flower, though... These are gorgeous and I love the astrantia and briza, too, with the little hint of purple. It's a lovely jug of flowers :-)
ReplyDeleteYou and me both then Sam. I hope that you don't have to wait long. You will not be disappointed! :)
DeleteA delightful bouquet today; 'Sylphide' is a star the first planting of it that I made a few years ago flowered for months, this year it is 'The Bride' that hasn't stopped flowering since the end of February, a few blooms continue even now we are moving into summer. 'Sylphide' has even seeded herself around which is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI remember now seeing her looking lovely on your blog too Christina. I will be more than happy if seedlings should appear next year.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning array of pinks...I love what you have put together Anna! Especially those anemones.
ReplyDeleteDonna thanks for your kind words :)
DeleteIt looks so lovely combined with that jug/vase!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. Funnily enough I started off using a large brown vase but then swapped over during the proceedings, as I thought that the colour of this vase complimented the flowers better.
DeleteOh I am so glad sylphide is doing well for you _ I will try them again this year again but start them off in the greenhouse. At least I know that my random positioning of the corms of the other anemones I have grown this year was OK - SO difficult to know which way to plant them! Your Sylphide looks SO pretty with that dark rose and the astrantia - and your first cornflower too. A couple of mine are just coming into bloom as well. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI started some off on the staging Cathy but those on the heated sand bench positively purred and are the ones that are now in flower. I was completely bemused about how to plant them until I came across some advice to plant the claws facing upwards. If I hadn't read this I don't know what would have transpired :)
DeleteI love this composition, Anna! The anemones and the Astantia couldn't be more perfect together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. They do make for good comapnions.
DeleteGorgeous colors - the anemones are so perfect!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your visit and comment Eliza :)
DeleteThe pink anemones are stunning and I love the Astrantias and other accompaniments too. My A. coronaria flowered very early (March I think) and then went over quickly too, so I wonder if this is the 'normal' time for them to flower in the UK?
ReplyDeleteHaving never grown them before Cathy I'm not really familiar with their flowering habits. I think it would be possible to get an much earlier show under cover but perhaps not much earlier than May out in the garden. Will have to do some research before I plant them again.
DeleteThis vase is simply great!Congratulations, Anna!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for your kind words Anca :)
DeleteWhat a lovely collection Anna and I am looking forward to seeing your new vessels! I am sure I have mentioned before that Grange-Over-Sands was a favourite childhood haunt. Anemone Sylphide looks divine - it is funny but I am growing all three and Sylphide was the last to flower. Mine are in a raised bed as well and I am planning to overwinter them under a fleece tunnel to try and get some early flowers.
ReplyDeleteI think that I recall you saying as much about Grange Julie. I've waited a lot longer to become acquainted with the town but it is a most relaxing and interesting spot. I think that 'Sylphide' was first to flower with me as she was first to be planted. I only thought of planting other colours then so had to send off for more bulbs. The others went in a week or two later. Good luck with your attempt for some early flowers next spring.
DeleteEach colour singing a different note in the harmony. Love how closely matched the colours are, and yet, subtly different.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Diana. As you say the colours are close but there are subtle differences between them.
DeleteWhat a lovely selection of different coloured pinks. Sweet peas already I am envious - mine are growing strongly but no sign of any flowers yet. Love the green vase - a nice size for a small bouquet.
ReplyDeleteThe sweet peas have only just started Elaine. I was surprised how the flowers appeared out of the blue. The vase is a favourite and as you say it's a good size for a small bouquet.
DeleteWhat a beautiful mix! Those dark cornflowers are a great complement in color to the brights. I must go looking for Gill R. That's one wonderful Astrantia.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and for your comment Linda. I hope that you can find 'Gill Richardson'. She is a really special astrantia.
DeleteI have never grown anemone coronia either maybe I should. They seem to be very long lasting flowers in the garden. Do they last a long time in a vase tOo?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Sue having no experience of their vase life. I picked the flowers on Saturday and they are still looking good today (Thursday). I've read that they can last up to ten days or so but that remains to be confirmed :)
DeleteMaybe my comment is ' in the wash' or it may have been rejected or I forgot to press the button. Anyways, what I tried to say was how impressive your colours are. That rose made it for me as it tied it all together.
ReplyDeleteYour comment has come through loud and clear Joanna so thanks for persisting :) I only had two anemone flowers so added the rose for balance.
DeleteThis is gorgeous Anna, what wonderful colours. I adore your rose Burgundy Ice with the amazing Astrantia. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteDeep dark red and burgundy are possibly my favourite colours Chloris along with all the shades of blue. Thanks for your comment :)
DeleteWe have A. Gill Richardson, it is a vibrant colour. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteAs you say Brian she is a most vibrant colour. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWhat a color! SO rich!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment Jayne :)
DeleteGorgeous anemones! I've never had much luck growing them here, but I love this color.
ReplyDeleteOh Rose I hope that your luck improves in that respect. The colour is even better in real life!
DeleteBeautiful, summer in a vase, a lovely collection of flowers and colours :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rona :)
DeleteI love the palette you have chosen, and it has given me a couple of new plants for my wish list! The Astrantia is gorgeous, but I have a real 'thug' of a pale pink one in my garden, which self seeds everywhere, and has roots like iron, so is hard to dig up. Are yours a little better behaved ?:-)
ReplyDelete'Gill Richardson' is a most considerate lady Jane and hasn't contained any problems to date. I have had her about four years or so and have divided her once. I wonder which other plant you added to your wish list :)
ReplyDeleteI love your dark pinks. The anemone is so pretty and the astrantia is definitely going on my shopping list.
ReplyDelete