As I mentioned in my previous post, I was really inspired to add a few new plants to my garden after my recent visit to Kew Gardens. It was the Rhododendron Dell there that really captivated me. En masse, they looked incredible, and there were so many different varieties and beautiful colours that I'm sure it would have been impossible not to find at least one to fall in love with. Add to this the fact that they produce beautiful blooms in Spring, well, I just had to find some space for a few.
I already had one Rhododendron, a Percy Wiseman, that had been languishing against the fence for a few years. Although it bloomed, you couldn't really appreciate it as it was tucked behind other plants. I bought this one forward, and it's now sitting snugly between a Hebe and a Hardy Geranium. It got a good feed of ericaceous compost, and has looked spectacular for the last fortnight, blossoming with little speckled flowers.
One of my new purchases was this gorgeous Azalea, Mme van Hecke. It looks just as good in bud as in bloom, and is evergreen, always a bonus I think.
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I don't 'do' red in the garden, with the exception of strawberries and tomatoes on the patio, so I was about to pop this Azalea, Geisha Red, back on the shelf. Looking again at the plant though, the buds appeared more pink than red, so I decided to risk it. I'm glad I did, as they have indeed bloomed a delicious deep pink colour that blends in beautifully with the others.
The last purchase was this Dwarf Rhododendron, Impeditum. It has lovely little purple/blue flowers and I was taken with it enough to purchase two, the second of which I've placed in the new area where the garage was removed.
So, this is my very own little rhododendron dell, and I'm looking forward to seeing the plants grow and merge over the next few years.
The rest of the garden is looking full and lush at the moment, and though we've had a few really lovely sunny days, it's mostly been rain, rain and more rain. I do hope that's not the theme for our 'summer' again this year, as I'd love to actually sit in the garden and appreciate everything out there!
I don't grow rhododendrons or azaleas but we usually visit a nearby park which has a beautiful rhododendron walk, the colours are spectacular. I love the Percy Wiseman with it's speckled flowers.
ReplyDeleteI think I will be seeking out more spring Rhododendron gardens next year, Jo. I was really enamoured with Kew's.
DeleteLovely photos. I love the colours of the flowers in your rhododendron dell; it will look beautiful every spring. And it has been so grey here, too, since the weekend; it's frustrating looking at flowers through a veil of misty rain.
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating isn't it Wendy. About time we got some decent weather, after all it's nearly June.
DeleteI have the little purple variety too. Love the pale pink one. What is it about red that you don't like?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, Sue. It just jars my eyes when I have to look out and see blobs of red. I've tried with several different red plants, but they just don't do it for me. I love them in other peoples gardens though.
DeleteHas your Impeditum stayed nice and neat? I'm hoping it will fill out the area I've placed it in, but not take over.
It's much bigger now but is quite neat I had it on one of my blog posts next to a red rhododendron :( Search for the post called A Moment in Time
DeleteYour garden is really looking lovely and lush - I know the rain is a pain but the plants are certainly appreciating it.
ReplyDeleteMost of them do Elaine, but I'm sure I've got some that think they're in a swimming pool!
DeletePaula your garden is looking wonderful ! .. Mine has become full and lush finally too .. we are having hot sunny weather at the moment as well so the plants are loving it of course .. every day I should be out there doing something eekk !
ReplyDeleteI love your azalea and rhodo ! .. I like to have them in smallish sizes too .. just to keep plants at a certain level .. I don't want to over whelm the rest of the garden with giants ? haha
Red can be a difficult colour to hand in the garden .. I do have a peony called Flame that is reddish but actually more hot pink .. but yes, actually oriental poppies that are red I do have .. but they don't bloom very long at all .. so I'm safe ? LOL
Joy : )
Red poppies Joy, you need to read my next post, lol! Yes, I'm the same, I like to keep all the plants quite small and neat. I can imagine the peony is just beautiful in red though. I'll have a search for it in your posts.
DeleteI love the first rhododendron you've featured in your photos (great shots by the way!) Your garden has a wonderful, peaceful air to it, I can see why you'd be impatient to spend more time out in it - darn rain!
ReplyDeleteWell, now we've got the sunshine Rosemary, and it's baking hot. Much more my sort of weather :-)
DeleteThe photos of your garden with its pops of pink are lovely. Pink is one of my favorite flower colors. I really like the way it combines with other colors,especially the purples, blues, and all the shades of green.
ReplyDeleteI love pink so much, it's such a pretty and calming colour.
DeleteBoth are wonderful plants with lovely flowers, but they do take up rather a lot of space. If I had a garden, which was big enough, I'd certainly grow them.
ReplyDeleteThe rain has sure made everything look very lush. Flighty xx
I'm hoping these ones won't get too big, Flighty, or they'll be for the chop!
DeleteYour garden is looking fab. The azalea and rhododendron are always on my favourite plant list, such cheerful flowers they have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli. I agree, they are cheerful, especially when not much else is in bloom.
DeleteLove your new purchases, nice to know that you love rhodos too! Your garden is looking very lush and green, thanks to all our rain last year, at least some good came from it!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely you see the upside to all the rain ;-) I guess while we may not like it, lots of the plants certainly do.
DeleteHi Paula...I love your new purchases...they are so pretty! Your entire garden looks wonderful! I'm curious...why don't you use red in your garden? I saw kitty in one of the pictures...he looked like he was playing with something....hopefully not a plant :-)!
ReplyDeleteI think it's because my garden is quite small Christy, and red really pops out. I'm sure if my garden was as big and gorgeous as yours, red wouldn't be a problem :-)
DeleteAs for kitty, she was chasing a bee, one of her favourite hobbies. She sometimes eats them too!
Paula, you've made a wonderful choice! I love most the purple rhododendron, the color is so unusual!
ReplyDeleteI hope all they will grow well on your garden soil, between other plants.
Have a nice gardening!
Thank you Nadezda. The purple is gorgeous isn't it!
DeleteYour purchases are inspired and your garden is looking totally delightful. I loved the metal statue peeking through the plants and the kitty is lovely. I'm a little green eyed!xxxx
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks beautiful. I like the photo with the cat interested in something on the ground. My cats accompany me in the garden and are always finding something with which to amuse themselves.
ReplyDeleteMy cats are always following me around too, especially the youngest one. She was chasing a bee in the photo :-)
DeleteGreat new purchases! When visiting especially beautiful gardens, I too want to bring parts of them into my own. You've done that very well! Your garden is looking so lovely! This is such a great time of the year for gardens and gardeners! Sorry about your rain, we've had quite a bit of the same here.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to get inspiration. I get it from viewing peoples blogs too, there are so many inspiring 'amateur' gardeners around.
DeleteYour garden is just so beautiful. :o) I gave up on azaleas here because we get these horrible mites that nearly kill them. I'd love to add a few but it would be like putting out a spider mite buffet. Big sigh....
ReplyDeleteOh, what a shame. It seems like there's always a bug or beastie of some sort that likes our plants!
DeleteJust beautiful! I only have one azalea in my garden that was rescued from a friend and it has never quite recovered. They get a bit overused here so I haven't felt inspired, but yours are so pretty I may have to indulge! I have a partially shady area that could really use some color. ~Angela~
ReplyDeleteI think they'd be great for a splash of colour Angela!
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