What's Looking Good May 2025

My little Rhododendron. It is a little different because it's buds are not like many that have cone shaped ones. They are just tiny and roundish.

 

Paeonia mascula. 3 years ago we had just 1 shoot and now it is thriving. Long may it keep doing so as the flowers are amazing.

 

Geranium Hexham White and a tall Veronica which was at death's door two yrs ago. I salvaged 3 tiny pieces and all 3 have thrived. I don't put supports round many plants but know from experience this will go lax once the flowers are out, so have taken steps!

 

Rhododendrons. Overgrown at up to 20 feet, but they can have their moment.

 

I saw today that many plants got their first flowers after days of standstill due to dry and cold conditions.

The first foxgloves open their flowers. I had grown them from seeds last year,





The Phacelia is coming nicely and I'm sure that the wild plants will be the hit this summer.



Just behind the raised beds with the wild plants are the Ox-eye daisies, Also, here, it's the first flower,



The first Johnsons Blue.



Hesperis matronalis



The bluebells are out.



The Chillies moved into the greenhouse and I have a first (green) chilli.



Finally the joy of any gardener, the Tits got their youngsters.

 

Hosta Row.
L to R: Lace curtain; paper doily, filigree, colander & racquet, coming soon…

 

Beautiful leaves, @OwdPotter ... and not a nibble-hole in sight.

 

The rowan blossom is coming out. Lucky I like the smell!

 

Thanks @ViewAhead, they are for now but I can well imagine the slithering scouts muttering “where’s he put them?, where’s he put them?”
They’ll find them soon enough. Oh well, enjoy them while we can eh?

 

I wish mine were nibble-free like yours @ViewAhead! Only one of mine is completely unscathed. The others do have a little bit of damage (nothing like last year though) despite my nighttime murderous patrols. I might try garlic water, to see if it helps.

 

What you can't see in my picture, @CostasK, is the raised feet with copper tape round, the pot rim with copper mesh encircling it, the top dressing of crushed egg shells, and the fact that the plant is positioned so none of the leaves are touched by any other plant.

Needs must, eh?

 

These look great! Hosta goals

 

@OwdPotter which variety is the one with big leaves near the top please? It looks splendid!

 

Hi @CarolineL
I don’t really know.
I used to have all of them planted out in the garden, but since lifting and potting them in an attempt to reduce the slug damage I can’t remember which are which.
Should have labelled them is the oft repeated mantra…
I think it may be either ‘Sum & Substance’ or ‘Stained glass’, but I’ll look back over old photos and my plant records to try to positively identify for you.

 

Geum Totally Tangerine.



Geranium x oxonianum Walter's Gift, interesting veined petals and blotched leaves.



Osteospermum Senoritas Lucia.



Delosperma.



Continus Grace.