The forecast for today was for rain and it wasn't wrong. It's pouring! So confession time, I picked, and photographed, today's contribution to Cathy's
In A Vase On Monday yesterday.
As you can see, it's just a bunch containing wild flowers -
geum, campions and
hesperis matronalis - and self-seeded
aquilegia - various forms. chiefly Beidermeir, Mrs Scott Elliot and the alpine ones that flower the earliest.
I love aquilegia, especially seeing the purple ones that grow in the wild, but I have seen them referred to as weeds in a few gardening articles. I think it must be because of the way they can seed themselves wherever they fancy. Despite that I'm guilty of encouraging them by sprinkling seeds in any gap in the border and just letting them get on with it. If they do become a problem I can always dig them up and donate them to a family member - there's always someone willing to give them a good home.
Geum Mrs Bradshaw. Lovely doer this plant. The yellow buds slowly turn orange and finally open up to vivid red. It's also a spreader that has to be kept under control, otherwise it would take over the border completely.
Two campions,
Silene. The traditional rose red and a very pale pink, a hybrid of white
S. latifolia and red
S. dioica - both grown from a wildflower seed mix.
Dame's violet, hesperis matronalis. Another great favourite, which has apparently has been in the UK for over 800 years. Disappointingly, the name derives from Damascus and has nothing to do with dames at all.
So that's what's in my vase for this week - a wild bunch for sure, but I think they are all so very charming.
I wish you all a very happy week, in the garden if the weather permits.
