It's the turn of the blues and some purple this week to star in 'A Vase On Monday' - perhaps too many of them and probably better photographed against a darker background but I wanted to enjoy them at close quarters before they vanish. With the fast forward button heading towards summer, it looks as if the spring that took so long arriving is going to depart at a rapid pace. So in my vase this week are :
- A couple of stems of hyacinthoides non-scripta more well known by their common name of bluebells. These are native ones as far as I can tell.
- Aquilegia - I think that some are a seedling of 'Hensol Harebell' originally from the Cottage Garden Society seed bank which I sowed many moons ago. Over the years it has crossed with other aquilegias so there is also now a double blue form too which also appear in the vase.
- A couple of stems of an ajuga reptans which is danger of being overcrowded out of existence. Another job for the ever growing to do list.
- By way of a contrast to all the blues and purple a couple of stems of mathiasella bupleuroides 'Green Dream. The green bracts slowly flush pink as the season progresses. This umbellifer is native to Mexico but seems quite happy growing in north west England.
- Some leafiness in the shape of millium effusum 'Aureum' also known as 'Bowles Golden Grass'. This was also grown from seed and like forget-me -nots seeds itself gently about every year.
- More leafiness in the form of what I think is a euphorbia. The leaves were looking more purple a couple of weeks ago. Suffering from skin allergies I've never knowingly introduced euphorbias into the garden much as I like them but this one arrived quietly by itself and has now been granted permanent residence.
I see that our hostess the lovely Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' is celebrating a veritable confection of shades of pastel aquilegias this week. Thanks as always for hosting and in doing so inspiring the picking of flowers for a vase on Mondays.
A gorgeous celebration of the blues of May!
ReplyDeleteThank you kind sir :)
DeleteLove all the blues and greens, and especially love where you placed the vase on that beautiful green carpet!
ReplyDeleteIt's the only carpet that I don't have to vacuum Donna so I'm especially fond of it :)
DeleteThey are very pretty blue aquilegias, Anna, and the supporting actors support them oh so subtly as I didn't notice them at first. Our bluebells haven't lasted long at all this year, presumably as it has been so dry and hot. Thanks for sharing. Will reply to your email soon.
ReplyDeleteI think I overdid it on the subtlety Cathy - either that or the occupants of the vase needed a darker background to display them to best effect. I think that some our our bluebells have been suffering from unaccustomed sun stroke :)
DeleteBlue is my favorite color in the garden - I can never have too much of it. I had Spanish bluebells in my garden at one time but they all seem to have died out, presumably due to our drought. I'm going to have to try planting some more this fall (and pray for rain).
ReplyDeleteMy favourite colour too Kris, then all the shades of purple, after that burgundy and then after that I'm hard pushed to rank them in order :)
DeleteIt may be a tangle but a very natural, beautiful looking confection in blue, what could be better?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your encouraging words Christina.
DeleteWe seem to have all sorts if aquilegias popping up in our garden. They seed freely but produced lots of different colours and forms.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great fun seeing where the seedlings appear and what they look like Sue.
DeletePurple and bright green is one of my favorite color combinations, so this vase is right up my alley. I love seeing all the preponderance of aquilegia in IAVOM posts this week. - Terri, tssoutherngarden.com
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Terri. I wonder if you grow aquilegias in your garden. Will have to pop over to see.
DeleteI love the way some of your aquilegias have developed into doubles. And they really do look blue - I seem to have more purple than any other colour, so time for some new seed I think. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always intriguing to see what they get up to Christina. My bluey/purple ones dominate at the expense of the pastel shades.
DeleteA perfect symphony in blue.
ReplyDeleteA veritable Dylanesque rhapsody Chloris. As always thanks for visiting and commenting.
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