Better Late than Never ... April's Plant of the Month!

Good Morning!

A little later than planned seeing as we are now into the month of May, but here is ...

The PLANT OF THE MONTH for April which is ERYTHRONIUM 'PAGODA'!

Erythronium (or Dog's Tooth Violet) 'Pagoda' is a bulbous perennial with broad glossy leaves and leafless stems which hold one or more of the yellow star shaped flowers.
The plant is fully hardy and flowers from the start of March providing you with weeks of interest.

(Please Note - The foliage in the background of this photo is from a Hebe, not the Erythronium)

CULTIVATION 

You can plant Erythroniums either 'in the green' or as a bulb, if planting as a bulb plant at a depth of 15cm and 15cm apart.
Erythroniums prefer to be planted in partial shade in most but well drained soil that doesn't dry out completely. However they will be happy facing any aspect (North, West, South or East) and will cope in both sheltered or exposed positions on any soil or pH level.

PROBLEMS
Slugs can take rather a liking to these plants but they are generally disease free!

HAPPY GROWING!
XXX

A Brief Pause in the Rain ...

Good Morning!

Today I thought I would share some photo's that I managed to take yesterday afternoon when the rain stopped briefly. As much as I enjoy taking photographs of plants there's something about those photo's with raindrops still on the petals that I love that little bit more ...

This little group of plants is currently sat next to my conservatory door. 

The three plants shown work well with each other as they all have the colour purple in common. The purple foliage of the Heuchera and the Primrose bring out the purple tones in the foliage of the Leucothoe.

The next pairing wasn't planned but I think it works really well together. 

The white of the 'Thalia' Daffodils and the pink of the Azalea Japonica 'Hino Crimson' provide a great contrast.

There's also been a slight change in the layout of the back garden. As you know the property I am in is currently rented so I am unable to make any dramatic changes, resulting in a large part of it being patio'd. Across this wall we originally kept the rather unsightly waste bins but I have now moved them elsewhere and positioned these pots here instead with the patio table just out of shot. A much preferable sight to sit next to in the warmer weather.

The only thing now is that I need to add giving the fence a new lick of paint to my to do list!

A close up of the feature pot in the centre, Ribes sanguineum

Erythronium Pagoda

Whilst over in the conservatory some of the Auriculas are in flower and the Echeveria Lilacina is producing it's flower shoots.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX