Just over two years ago I planted up the small flower bed at the front of our house choosing plants for their promised long flowering seasons. The bed has lived up to expectations and as the plants have matured the display has just got better.
There have been casualties that have fallen by the wayside such as the salvia Amistad that didn't survive the first winter and some of the veronicas. Generally though the bed has just got better and better.
This year's triumph has the be the Campanula lactiflora 'Pritchard's Variety'.
Not only is it a fantastic colour which lights up the view from our front window but the plant has really bulked up and has been flowering now for over a month. The bees love it too! No doubt the heat of this summer will now cut short the flowering period.
The penstemons are now coming into their own. Last year these were still flowering in December and so proved their worth.
The photo below, (click on the image for a larger view), shows a self seeded poppy which fits in well and so was left in place. One or two snapdragons that self seeded from last year are also sneaking in and will be left to grow
There are still a couple of gaps to fill but nowhere is ever perfect is it?
If you want to view the history of this bed and how it looks at different times of the year click here
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What a pretty border! It is always good to hear a success story. The Campanula is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I do have another border which is more of a disappointment, Crystal. Maybe down to dry weather
DeleteA beautiful flower-bed Sue, and a lovely colour-scheme, but I bet it was difficult to photograph! I find that blues and pinks often don't come out well in photos.
ReplyDeleteThe colour scheme changes as different flowers finish and others tale their place, Mark. The camera captured the colours well it was deciding where to take the photos from that was the challege - for some it was through an open front window.
DeleteBeautiful colour scheme! I love the combo of pinks and purples.
ReplyDeleteSo do I, Fran.
DeleteStunning! And hooray for the bees.
ReplyDeleteThey love the penstemon too Tpals and the heuchera and the salvia
DeleteSue, it looks absolutely lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo
DeleteI love the campanula, it looks so vibrant and healthy, and sits so well with the pink.xxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it is now starting to fade Snowbird - I'll miss it
DeleteI love that border Sue.. it is so pretty and I'm so glad the bees love it :o)
ReplyDeleteSo am I Julie
DeleteThat's a fabulous border Sue, such a riot of colour. I've never grown Campanula - wonder if they would be too tender for here? I've grown Penstemon and although they thrived in summer they didn't survive the winter :(
ReplyDeleteThis time of recuperating has made me take a long look at the garden and I must say mine id distinctly lacking in colour - something I will have to rectify.
Thank you for sharing such lovely blooms Sue
The RHS have the campanula in my photos as very hardy, Linda H7 if that means anything to you. At least if you can't do - you can plan - I've just ordered a few new plants too.
DeleteYour wonderful Pritchard's Variety looks superb. It does not look to be staked or have you done it so cunningly one does not see it?
ReplyDeleteIt's cunning Roger. The whole bed (around the tallest plants) is a mesh of link stakes of varying lengths. If you go to this page on my website and scroll down to March 2013 you can see them in the photo of spring bulbs. The ugly fence erected by next door gives some protection though too.
DeleteCampanula flowers do really look stunning!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that they are going over now Dewberry
DeleteThe purple and pink are fab together!
ReplyDeleteI always seems to work doesn't it. Kelli?
DeleteThat's a gorgeous campanula. Might have to go on my 'list' for next year :}
ReplyDeleteIt's just got better each year Bilbo
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