Friday night is...foliage night!

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With Daffodils still holding on in there, early primulas looking not too bad for mid May and ferns unfurling at a constant rate of knots – my garden seems to be stuck at that ‘inbetween’ stage!

Cornus and Cotinus are only just budding up, leafless stems that call themselves Hydrangeas are seriously getting on nerves and I refuse to be bothered by the fact that my Magnolia never did produce a flower! The jury is still out on the Camellias too!

Alliums, Azaleas and Aquilegias, to name a few, are conspicuous by there abscence. On the plus side – bees are buzzing and along with many other tiny pollinators there is plenty of insect activity. A distinct lack of slugs and snails really does cheer me up and a pair of Linnets have become extremely regular visitors! They are the sweetest little birds I’ve ever seen.

On closer inspection around the garden – which appears from afar to be a sea of green there really is quite a lot going on if you get up close and personal!

I was just commenting on one of Karensusan’s pictures that this year Heucheras in the borders are looking decidedly better than those in containers. It’s usually the other way around in my garden.

Please join me as I look around………

Heuchera americana Plum Pudding putting on luscious new growth

Heuchera Caramel looking better than it ever has

Heuchera Jade Gloss alongside Geranium, Astrantia and Polemolium foliage

Heuchera Berry Smoothie looking ‘berry’ nice

Heuchera Black Beauty now out of Heuchera Hospital and making good recovery in the border

Heuchera Binoche was new last year and hasn’t failed to impress.

Acers of course never do disappoint particularly at this time of the year.

My favourite and oldest Acer, I’ve had this 17 years. I brought this with me from my old garden. I grows a bit too close to the fence now. I’ve not got the bottle to attempt to move it!
Acer palmatum dissectum Crimson Queen

Acer shirawsawanum Aureum flanked by Pink Azalea buds – another favourite!

Acer palmatum Orange Dream

Acer palmatum Garnet – this one is going in the ground this year. It has recovered from it’s little accident (it snapped when I fell against it)

Acer palmatum Eddisbury – my 3rd favourite. Am I allowed 3 favourites? It seems I just can’t decide which really is my favourite and I bet I’m not alone.

Green and silver is always a good combination in the garden don’t you think?

Euphorbia Silver Swan – the only Euphorbia left in the garden. They all suffered dreadfully in the wet last year.

Snuggled under the Kilmarnock Willow – this Brunnera macrophylla Jack Frost doesn’t mind the shade.

Lamium maculatum White Nancy was bought as a rather sickly looking plant last year – I hope it will spread out under the golden Physocarpus and provide food for the bees.

Aconitum and Cardoon are fighting for space – something needs to move this year.

Greens tinged with bronzes and Reds – I like the effect it gives.

Epimedium x youngianum Niveum looks right at home beneath the Enkianthus and if you look closer you can see the Kirengeshoma just emerging.

Epimedium x rubrum picks up the colour in the Acer and surrounding Pieris.

New foliage on Persicaria amplexicaulis J S Caliente looks good until it flowers later in the year. The pollinators, particularly the hoverflies later in the year love this plant!

A few shrubs are very pleasing at this moment

Physocarpus opulifolius Lady in Red was a little slow to get started this year but is now beginning to redeem herself

Planted to either side of the Acer – they don’t appear to be wanting to flower this year, which is a shame their displays were stunning last year.

Pieris japonica Flaming Silver

Pieris japonica Forrest Flame

Huge shiny Fatsia leaves make a big impression. I’m surprised at how well this came through winter

Peony Sarah Bernhardt and Aconitum seem to be having a bit of a competition as to who can grow tallest. It won’t be long until the Aconitum reaches for the sky and wins the race!

This sedum is doing particularly well. They don’t usually do well in the borders here. The others were decanted to containers last year as they suffered dreadfully in the constant rain.

An almost perfect Hosta June emerging. As I ceased using slug pellet last year, this surprised me until I noticed my neighbour has used almost 1 tub of slug pellets per pansy plant. I know where they all are now and I just hope they stay there :)

Reminiscent of a minature jungle Gymnocarpium dryopteris looks good as it emerges from below.

This foliage is so ‘full of promise’ a white Mecanopsis bud just emerging.

I might not have a multitude of blooms and blossoms this May time but there is still plenty of interest if you know where too look!

This little chap is patiently waiting some friends – he is rather lonely. He has hopped out from the undergrowth in the hope that others might see him and come to play in the pond!

• 17 May, 2013
• 11 likes

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