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23/06/2010


my photos

BLOOMS FOR JUNE

I have three varieties of Oriental Poppy in my garden.

The red/orange one above sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb amongst other muted tones that is this side of the garden.

It's not that I don't like it, I just don't like where I've put it!

I was originally given a division by a good friend from a plant which originated from her parent's garden, so it has sentimentality. I've tried to move it, but it just keeps coming back.

I've found Oriental Poppies are like that, once they've settled in they are very difficult to move. Rather like an unwanted lodger or squatter!



I bought Patty's Plum for the garden when we first moved in. It was all the rage back in the late eighties, being regularly mentioned in gardening programmes and magazines alike. It's popular still now, even Carol Klein has recently mentioned having it in her Glebe Cottage garden in Devon.

Again where it is just isn't right, it's in a position in full sun all day, and for anyone who knows this variety will know that the flower petals that open in a beautiful pink/purple colour, soon turn a rather muddy brown when scorched.



Princess Victoria Louise is especially loved by the bees in my garden (see previous post).

It's petals open in a salmon pink colour, which I confess to not liking very much, but soon fade to a pale pink which I much prefer.

However much I love Oriental Poppies, I'd rather look at them in someone elses garden. The leaves can look scruffy (I'm an obsessively tidy gardener), the stems can droop, and when finished there's a gaping hole in the border.

To get over this I keep the foliage tidy, and after flowering has finished I leave on the seedheads for a while, before cutting the whole plant back for a new flush of growth.

Nothing goes to waste in my garden. The foliage is composted and the seedheads dried for decoration.

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12 comments:

BernieH said...

All three are so gorgeous ... fabulous photos!

life in red shoes said...

Yours are stunning! Mine didn't come up this year?

Julie said...

I love poppies, these are beautiful!

Purrfect Haven said...

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog which allowed me to find yours - which is a lovely find! Thoroughly enjoyed reading through your postings. Some gorgeous photos too. Helen
www.happinesskindled.blogspot.com
www.talkingaboutnature.blogspot.com

harmony and rosie said...

I do so love poppies and look forward to them every year. There is the most beautiful area, where my daughter and I park the car each day to walk to school, (because of the pretty gardens) and the whole roadside is planted with petal pink poppies and nigella. It has made the most sensational display and such a delight to walk by only just the other day the council came along and strimmed the whole lot. Apparently the residents are up in arms and I'm not surprised - such a tragedy!

Enjoy your gardening.

Anonymous said...

I have just one, in the right place, which flowered for the first time a couple of weeks ago! Flighty xx

Carol said...

I have your pink one and have not a clue where it came from.
I do love them but have to agree about the scruffy foilage! Mine have appeared in the centre of some of my shrubs they can only just about be seen, maybe this is a good thing.
I have just been going back through your posts.....I never get to visit blogland lately and must admit I am almost at the point of just giving up! Ramster Gardens look lovely. We have been to Chartwell and Knowl recently, beautiful gardens there too.
Carol x

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Stunning photos Louise. I love poppies and more have appeared in my garden this year. I agree about the scruffy aspect of the foliage though.

Jeanne
x

Naturegirl said...

Love the paper-like petals on the poppy and that pink one with a purple centre steals my heart!
Thank you for becoming a follower of Nature Trail...a pleasure to meet you!

Amanda said...

I never quite knew if I liked poppies... I love fields full of them, but find the odd one here or there less appealing - I think it is definitely one of those flowers I prefer in bulk :o)

Lori at Jarvis House said...

How lucky for you that Poppies grow in your garden. I have never been able to get them to do anything here. The photograph of the pink Poppy was extraordinary. Georgia O'Keeffe would be proud of you.

Suburbia said...

What fantastic photos, I love the combinations of colours that nature puts together