Last week's most welcome run of consecutive dry days came to an abrupt end yesterday when it poured down for most of the day. Fortunately I took the weather forecast into account and picked a few flowers for this week's vase on Saturday, otherwise they would have been most bedraggled indeed. In my smallest of small vases are :
- Corydalis 'Purple Bird' - planted as corms last autumn. This variety is new to me and I'm looking forward to seeing it make more growth and hopefully a bigger impact next year. I believe that it quickly goes dormant so I must make sure that I mark the plants with labels.
- Iris reticulata 'Pixie' - this is also a variety that I've not planted before and I have been really pleased with it. Why though do my irises planted on the same day at the same depth refuse to open simaltaneously but emerge in fits and starts? This year I also grew 'Clairette' and 'Kathryn Hodgkins' - all equally lovely. Sadly they rarely survive into a second year in pots for me.
- Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign' - the bluest of blues although I believe that there is an even bluer relative newcomer on the scene by the name of 'Miss Elly - definite shades of 'Dallas' there. I'm on the look out for her and hope that I might come across her at a plant sale that I'm hoping to get to later on this month.
- Last but not least peeping coyly from behind the iris is a sprig of cardamine quinquefolia. This hardy perennial is going over now and will disappear completely in late spring to emerge again at the back end of January/ early February. After eleven years what was once a small pot has morphed into a veritable pool of colour. It's an excellent companion for snowdrops and hellebores.
That corydalis is gorgeous, Anna - where did you purchase it from? And I like the idea of an even 'bluer pulmonaria, something else to go on my wishlist! The iris do OK for me in the Coop but, as you, coming back again outside is not their forte, and I usually just compost them after a season inside.Your little treasures are a joy to behold 😊
ReplyDeleteCathy, I bought the corydalis online from Rose Cottage Plants in Essex as well as some dahlias. You can order the corydalis from July onwards. I'm glad that it isn't just me who struggles to keep irises going in pots. This year's pots will be planted out soon to see how they fare.
DeleteSpring has arrived I see, Anna! I LOVE that Iris and the beautiful bluer than sky Pulmonaria.
ReplyDeleteSpring is not here for me Kris until the equinox arrives but it's definitely knocking on the door step 😀
DeleteOh wow these are just precious. I love the colors and so many blooms I used to grow. What a welcome surprise!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and kind words Donna 😀
DeleteBlue flowers are my favorite and I love seeing all of them. Pretty Cordyalis, I have never seen any, but would like to. I like your vase, there is something about a vase made by hand that gives it such life. Amelia
ReplyDeleteI love blue flowers too Amelia 😀 It's a very small vase but the maker has certainly packed a lot of character into it 😂
DeleteAgain, so nice and strong colours, i like very much!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anna 😀
DeleteBeautiful colour combination
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. I like it too 😀
DeleteThe colours of the flowers in your vase are all so beautiful! Blue tones are one of my favourite garden colours, so I enjoyed seeing your vase this week very much. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for you visit and kind words Jo. I'm a big fan of blue too 😀
ReplyDeleteA lovely collection Anna! I am especially drawn to the Corydalis - those. urly letals are just so pretty. And I too am always looking for blue Pulmonarias. Some of mine got eaten by mice this winter, so a good excuse to replace them. I have 'Benediction' and 'Trevi Fountain' which are both very blue when they first open but do fade to pink and purple. I do hope you find 'Miss Elly'. (And I hope there is not a new theme of Pulmonaria names starting there…. imagine a JR, Bobby and Sue Ellen! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous arrangement, Anna. Iris reticulata 'Pixie' is a real beauty. My Iris reticulatas are much the same - first flowerers are fading as others are just emerging or beginning to bloom. This year I’m going to lift and store the bulbs, as they don’t regrow for me either. It would be nice to be able to build up a stock rather than have to buy a few, new, each year.
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