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PRETTY IN THE GARDEN

I notice there's already two blooms on my Papaver Orientale Patty's Plum, planted when all the rage back in the late '90s.

I find it's colour a bit wishy-washy, but the bees seem to like it!

A garden dilemma.

Where to put eight large divisions of Rudbeckia?

Giving an abundance of striking yellow blooms right when you need them in late Autumn.

I know it's invasive, I've dug it out of the garden before.

I put it in a large pot, but it didn't want to know.

It's a thug (a beautiful one at that) of which needs to be kept under control.

Rather like Periwinkle!

Good for ground cover, in both sun or shade.

I've noticed a few self-seeders in the garden over the years, including the one above.

Do you know what it is?

It's getting on for 90cm tall, and I'm very happy it came to live in my garden.

I was thinking maybe a Stock of some kind?

Uurgh!

It's not all pretty in the garden you know!

Edited - Thanks Flighty, the mystery plant is Sweet Rocket!

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LESSER CELANDINE

Lesser Celandine, a native wildflower or a weed?



Whatever, it spreads like wildfire in my garden!

Looking less intense on a bank in semi-shade, this native wildflower mingles well with the Deadnettle plant, both having complementing white blotch marks on their leaves.

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Looking more intense on a rockery in full sun, this weed will put itself right where you don't want it!

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LEAVES

Then in the Winter they come flying down
Light as a breath, and crisp, and brown ...

I know I probably shouldn't, but I leave fallen leaves amongst the borders.

I know it's a hiding place for slugs, but it makes a great backdrop for up and coming snowdrops and hellebores, and creeping ivy.

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LEMONS AND LIMES

A lemon shade potentilla at the front of a border. A hardy perennial which is long flowering and will self seed around the garden.



A lime shade euphorbia, in the middle of a border. A compact, suckering variety which can be useful as ground cover. Will tolerate dry shade and looks great in a woodland setting.

Always be cautious when handling euphorbia, the sap is poisonous and irritates the skin.

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BACK TO BLACK

If left unchecked, the garden will quite happily revert back to nature. One problem is bramble, and every so often it has to be cut back. I wait for some fruit before it has to go.



Not many blackcurrants this year? It may be down to moving the plant last year, or not pruning?



Ajuga reptans. Use this plant for ground cover in a semi-shaded area.



Scabious (Chilli Black). Flowers on with regular deadheading. Plants easily take from cuttings.



Ophiopogon (Black Grass). A great plant to use in a black planting scheme.