Wordless Wednesday 23rd May 2018: Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'

Wordless Wednesday 16th May 2018: Epimedium x rubrum

In praise of: Narcissi Falconet

I know, most of you are thinking daff time is over, let's move on to other Spring plants and bulbs. But before you do, I suggest you consider this little beauty for next years pots or borders.

Narcissi Falconet is a Tazetta type of narcissi, fragrant, with a cluster of smaller flowers on the same stem. These sit very prettily above their long strong stems. They are meant to flower a bit earlier, late March-early April, but not only did I plant them late, this years long cold Spring held them up.

Not only does this Narcissi cheerily flower for nearly 3 weeks, it also has the most delicious fragrance. I've had some in a pot by the front door and every time I pass it's like I'm inhaling sunshine. Ok, that might be a little O.T.T., but you get what I mean.

I've been so enraptured by this Narcissi I'm planning on buying a lot more for next year* so that I can have some to stay in pots and the ground, and some to cut for the house.

I recommend Narcissi Falconet to you.

*I purchased mine from Peter Nyssen bulbs. And no, I didn't get anything from them. I just love their range, quality and price.

Spring blues

One of my favourite colours in Spring are the Spring blues. Of course, sometimes it's hard to tell if a flower is blue or a purple blue, and it's not always the easiest colour to photograph. However, here are a few that have been giving me joy in the last couple of weeks.

Anemone blanda blue-flowered

Here it is mixed in a pot with Narcissi and Alliums.

Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram'

Alpine, Veronica whitleyi

In detail.

Another alpine, Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue'

Which Spring blue's do you love in your garden?

The case of the strange straight apple tree in the garden

This is a rather strange apple tree. I know it's an apple tree, because it had a couple of apples on it when we viewed the house we now live in, last November. Unless the sellers managed to glue a couple to the tree for effect.

Anyway, I'm not sure what to do about it. I mean, it's growing straight up.

Of course, in general, things grow up, unless they grow in the ground, but let's not confuse this matter any further. But for not just the trunk, but all the branches to grow up in the same manner, I mean, how do you even get an apple tree to grow in such a way?

There is of course the issue of taste. And going by these buds, and the luck of the weather goddess, it looks like I should get some apples this year. What type, cookers or eaters, well, I guess I'll have to wait and see. And hope I can get to an apple day with some of the fruit to see if I can find out what variety it is.

However, going back to the issue of straightness, I'm in a quandary. What do I do with this tree? How in the hell do I prune it so the branches go out and not straight up. I'm asking you, dear reader, for help! Any suggestions? And can I start pruning now, or wait until next winter?

Over to you.