Noelfitz's Journal

Fair Rosamund's rose

Rosa gallica 'Versicolor'

The recent The Irish Garden has some excellent information about roses. I do not have many in my garden, but one of my favourites, now in flower, is Rosa gallica 'Versicolor', also called Rosa Mundi or Fair Rosamund's rose.

I see, http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.ie/2009/04/historic-roses-rosa-mundi.html

"However there is an earlier legend which states that the ‘Rosa Mundi' was named after Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II who reigned as England's monarch from 1154 to 1189. Rosamund Clifford (1150-1176), also known as the "The Fair Rosamund" or "Rose of the World", was the long-time mistress of King Henry II. Henry was forced to marry Princess Eleanor who, jealous of her husband's relationship with the fair Rosamund, is said to have had her murdered by poison.

After her death, Henry and Rosamund's family paid for a tomb at Godstow Nunnery near Oxford and put an endowment in place for it to be attended by nuns who were instructed to place Rosa Mundi flowers upon it on the anniversary of her death. This became a popular local shrine until 1191..."

Cornus

Cornus capitata

My garden is essentially a spring one, but I am trying to get interest for later in the year, so I am trying to grow peonies, which have been OK this year.

However today I think the Cornus looked well. The photo is either Cornus kousa or capitata. I think it is capitata as the bracts are sulphur-yellow rather than white, and it is a tree rather than a large shrub. In either case it was grown from Chiltern seeds, sown years ago.

Two nice days in a row. Wow!

Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'

Is this a record, two nice days in a row?  But I believe tomorrow and the rest of the week will not be so hot.

As you know my garden is essentially a spring garden, but to prolong interest I put in some peonies.  I notice now that many I have are very similar. I think this is due to the fact that they are the ones I like, rather than peonies differ little.

The rain has stopped!

Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Beauty'

Wasn't the rain terrible for the last few days?  At least today is better, and let's hope we get some real June weather soon.

Are gardeners mad?

Paeonia officinalis 'Rosea Plena'

Some time ago I gave my lawns their annual feed. I had to wait until growth was good, as I also used a weed killer in the feed. After this treatment I was instructed to wait a few days before cutting. Then it rained for days and I could not cut the lawns, and the feed worked, so today the lawns were like meadows. Why do we encourage growth and then spend so much time cutting lawns?

Anyway after cutting the lawns I spent time weeding, as the growth of weeds has been very rapid. My main problem weed is ground elder and now, as borders are ful,l I do not like top use Roundup.

I have been waiting for ages for my herbaceous peonies, which are now beginning to flower, and I include a photo of one.

Bloom

Japanese Garden

Wasn't Bloom brilliant this year?  I enjoyed it immensely on Thursday, but unfortunately did not meet any of my garden.ie friends.  But I did have a good chat with Gerry, and he consoled me about one of my problems in life -  ground elder.

He gave a great talk on how ro make gardening easier, have less lawn and use plants to cover the soil, ie garden with nature not against it.

My favourite garden was the Japanese one.

Another problem

Cornus alba ????

Here is another problem plant.  Is it Cornus alba?

What's this

Philadelphus ???

I have spent/wasted time this evening trying to sort out two white trees/shrubs now in flower.  I suspected Philadelphus  for one.  Can anyone help?

Here is one.